CORNWALL

Cornish parishes with M*CH*MOREs

The map on the right shows the ancient parishes of south eastern Cornwall. The named parishes are those where M*CH*MOREs have been recorded.

The earliest known Cornish M*CH*MORE was Thomas MOCHEMOAD of Quethiock, recorded in the 1569 Muster Roll. There were also several eastern Cornish M*CH*MOREs recorded in the 1641 Protestation Returns, resident in North Hill, Menheniot, Liskeard and St Stephens by Saltash, as well as one in St Ives in the extreme west of the county. 

It is not known where these M*CH*MOREs came from, but it is possible that they migrated over the border from Devon. Alternatively, the surname may have arisen independently in reference to Bodmin Moor as the 'Great Moor' in the same way that the Devonshire surname may relate to Dartmoor. DNA testing currently under way may resolve this question.

The only family tree that has been traced to Cornish roots is Tree 20. The oldest documented members of this tree lived in Menheniot parish throughout the 18th century. They then gradually spread out to neighbouring parishes, including St Cleer, St Germans and Landrake but with the majority living in Liskeard and St Martin by Looe. By the 19th century, some had moved as far as Lansallos, Lanteglos and Fowey.

Immigrants from Devon include John, a farmer who moved from Stoke Fleming to St Melion at the end of the 18th century, and Thomas, a mariner who moved from Salcombe to Falmouth (farther to the west) at the beginning of the 19th century. Other M*CH*MORE immigrants can be found by examining the church and civil registers on this site. A number of spouses were also born in Cornwall.