This interesting name is an anglicization of a French locational name from numerous places called Montigni, eg. Calvados La Manch in Normandy. The name was introduced into Britain with the Norman Invasion of 1066, and derives from the Gallo-Roman personal name 'Montinius'. One Alexander Mountney, aged 33 emigrated on the 'Mary James' in 1610 to Virginia and is later recorded as living in 'Elizabeth Cittie' and having 100 acres planted by 1623. Also one Lenord Mountney sailed on the Bona Nova the same place ten years later aged 21 and is recorded as being in the former mans group of settlers. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Robert de Muntesgui, which was dated 1177 Pipe Rolls Essex, during the reign of King Henry II, The Builder of Churches, 1154 - 1189. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.