Lost Cities
It’s funny how distant events can affect the modern world.
In the late 12th century, surnames became necessary when
the English government introduced personal taxation. It
was common that families from the upper class took the
titles of their domains as surname, such as Lancaster or
Locksley, while artisans took their surnames from what
they were working with, such as Smith or Taylor.^13 The
surname Musk, however, originates from one of the oldest
surnames ever recorded in England.
Led by Duke William II of Normandy, Normans and
French troops invaded England. The final battle of the
war was the Battle of Hastings where the invading army
defeated King Harold II of England. It was now in the year
of 1066 the origin of the surname Musk was introduced to
England. Originally a nickname to distinguish a younger
person from an older bearer of the name, the Norman-
French word “le meschin” means “the younger.” The first
written record of the surname is that of William le Meschin,
who was an English feudal baron. As time passed, the
surname le Meschin altered to surnames such as Musk,
Misk, or Miskin.^72
Elon Musk’s family can be traced back to as early as the
18th century when Henry Musk married Mary Faulkner.
They lived in England and they had four children, and one
of the children was Henry Musk the younger.^96