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Updated June 9, 2019

Family name origins & meanings

  • Of Scottish, Welsh, or English origin, but uncertain etymology. It is recorded in the 17th century in Scotland and subsequently in Boldre, Hampshire. Most probably it is a habitational name from Welsh melin ‘mill’ + dy, lenited form of ty ‘house’. Place names of Welsh origin are found not only in Wales and western England, but also in southern Scotland, where Welsh was spoken in earlier centuries.

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