I take this parish, as well as Mullion in Kerrier, to take its name
from its tutelar saint, Melania. The church is a rectory; the
patronage in Sir John Coryton.
The principal manor and seat in this parish is West Newton Ferrers, so
called from its relative situation to another Newton, and from its
ancient lords the Ferrers. As for the name Newton, it signifies no
other than the plain meaning of the word, a new town or house. In the
valuation made by Edward the First this manor is called Newton,
without any addition, as is the case at present in common speech.
William de Ferrers was Knight of this shire with Thomas Sereod,
Knight, 8 Edward II.