This surname is derived from a geographical locality. 'de la Monceau,' i.e. at the hillock or mound (compare Munt). Old French Moncel or Muncel; later Monceau. More specifically perhaps from some Norman town or hamlet of the name of Monceau or Monceaux.

Robert de Muncella, Wiltshire, 1273. Hundred Rolls.

Robert de Munceaux, Norfolk, ibid.

Ingelram de Munceaus, Yorkshire, ibid.

Gilbert de Munceaus, Lincolnshire, 20 Edward I: Placita de Quo Warranto, temp. Edward I-III.

Ralph de Muncy, Suffolk, ibid.

1568. Married — James Munsey and Jonae Hollylande: St. Michael, Cornhill.

1724. Baptised — Robert, s. John Mounsey: St. Michael, Cornhill.

1747. Married — Anthony Monsey and Sarah Hines: ibid.

MOUNSIE, Mouncey: A NF. family name meaning "at the Mount," OF. Monceaus, Latin de Moncels (lachrisson, Anglo-Norman Influence on English place-names, p. 12). Thomas Monsy rendered homage at Berwick, 1291 (RR.), Maut de Mounceaus of Roxberghshire rendered homage, 1296, and William Monceux was juror on an inquest at Lochmaben, 1347 (Bain, II, p. 213; III, 1499). William Monceux, son of William Henryson of Loghmaben, was expelled from his lands for adhering to the English side before 1395 (ibid., IV, 464). Amand Mounceaux was warden of the Castle of Lochmaben in the end of the fourteenth century (ibid., IV, 260). James Monse near Lochmaben came in the king's will for destroying the woods of Lochmabane, etc., 1504 (Trials, I, p. 40) James Muncie in Garrok to be examined for the Test, 1684 (RPC., 3. ser. IX, p. 579). Dr. Mounsey who sprung from the lowest origin in the vicinity of Lochraabane lived to become proprietor of the estate of Rammerscales (Trials, I, p. 40. II). James Muncie, tailor in Dumfries, 1686 (Dumfries).

“from Monchy, near Arras. Drogo de Moncy came to England 1066, and was in Palestine 1096 (Ord. Vitalis, 723). Drogo de Moncy, his son, had a pardon in Sussex 1130 (Rot. Pip.). In 1299 Walter de Moncy was summoned to Parliament as a baron.” - The Norman People. Temp. Henry III., “Serlone de Munsay” witnesses a grant to Merevale Abbey. The Moneys held Thornton of the Percy fee in Yorkshire. “Walter de Muncy, 28 Ed. I. had a charter for free-warren in his demesne lands at Thornton juxta Skipton, Everby, and Kelbroke in the co. of York. From the frequency of his name in the writs of summons of his time, he must have been a person of great eminence. In 29 Ed. I. he was one of those barons who, in the parliament at Lincoln, subscribed that memorable letter which was addressed to the Pope, asserting the King’s supremacy over the realm of Scotland; on which occasion he was denominated Dominus de Thornton.

“Moreover, he had summons to parliament from the 26th to 35th Ed. I., both inclusive; which, if a writ of summons be creative of a personal and descendable honour, may, by the repetition of the writ upon so many occasions, be considered to have rendered this person a peer of the realm, with a right of succession to the barony, vested in his posterity.

“This Walter was at the famous siege of Carlaverock, in the time of Ed I., where he is mentioned in the roll of those who were then marshalled, as having his banner chequered, Gules and Argent. His heir was probably a female, married to Goushall, who had two daughters, who were his co-heirs; whereof Margaret married first Despenser, and had a son, Philip Despenser; and secondly, John de Roos, a younger son of William Lord Roos, or Ros, of Hamlake, who died without issue by her, 12 Ed. III., leaving her, the said Margaret surviving, who deceased about 22 Ed. III. Isabel, sister of Margaret, appears afterwards to have been found her heir, and wife of Durand Bard.” - Banks.

A corruption of Monceux. The parish of Herstmonceux, co. Sussex, is in rustic parlance Herst, or rather Hors-Mounseys.

Mouncy: from Monchy, near Arras. Drogo de Moncy came to England in 1066, and was in Palestine in 1096. In 1299 Walter de Moncy was summoned to Parliament as a Baron. The name remains as Mounce. Some of the name occupied a cottage belonging to my father. They were notorious poachers, and lived on what they caught, and stole their firing. At last one of them, a youth, was caught “robbing hen-roosts,” like some of his betters, and was con­victed and sent to prison. On leaving, he came to my father with the request that as a magistrate he would send him back to prison, as “it was the only place where he had been treated as a gentleman.” Was he a descendant of the Crusader? Also Mounsey.

Mounsey was the name of a well - known ancient family of Patterdale, Westmoreland, owning considerable possessions there; the representative of the family in the middle of last century was known as the "King of Patterdale" (H.).