The Lumbroso de Mattos Mocatta family is a prominent Anglo-Jewish lineage with deep Sephardic roots, tracing back to Spain and Portugal prior to the Inquisition. Following the expulsion of Jews from the Iberian Peninsula, the family sought refuge in Amsterdam and Venice before settling in England in the 1650s. They were among the first twelve Jewish families admitted by Oliver Cromwell, marking the re-establishment of Jewish presence in England.
The Mocatta family is only very indirectly connected to the Samuel – Reis family which is the focus of this website.
Key Figures and Contributions
Abraham Lumbroso de Mattos Mocatta (1734–1800): Born in London, Abraham was a diamond broker and merchant. He was the son of Moses Lumbroso de Mattos and Rebecca Sarah Mocatta. Abraham married Esther Isaac Lumbroso de Mattos Mocatta and had several children, including:
Rachel Mocatta who married Joseph Elias Montefiore and became the mother of Sir Moses Montefiore, a notable philanthropist and financier.
Sarah Mocatta married David Lindo on 17 September 1794, and several descendants of this Mocatta – Lindo marriage married a few members of the Henry family who have deep Samuel family connections.
Moses Mocatta (1768–1857): Son of Abraham, Moses co-founded the bullion brokerage firm Mocatta & Goldsmid, which became a leading bullion broker to the Bank of England. Beyond his business endeavors, Moses was a scholar who translated significant Jewish texts, including “Faith Strengthened” and “The Inquisition and Judaism.”
The Goldsmid family did eventually intersect with the Samuel family on the marriage of Gladys Helen Rachel Goldsmid to Louis Samuel Montagu on 12 January 1911.
David Mocatta (1806–1882): Grandson of Moses, David was a pioneering British architect. He designed several railway stations for the London and Brighton Railway and was responsible for the Montefiore Synagogue in Ramsgate, possibly the first synagogue in England designed by a Jewish architect.
Frederick David Mocatta (1828–1905): A philanthropist and scholar, Frederick was deeply involved in charitable organizations and Jewish communal life. He was a patron of Jewish scholarship and left his extensive library to University College London and the Jewish Historical Society of England.
Legacy and Influence
The Lumbroso de Mattos Mocatta family played a significant role in the economic and cultural life of Anglo-Jewry. Their involvement in finance, particularly through Mocatta & Goldsmid, positioned them as key players in the bullion market for over three centuries. Their commitment to philanthropy, education, and Jewish communal affairs left a lasting impact on British society.
