rivergirl
23-02-2009, 5:56 AM
De Whale of Normandy
I have been given the following information, on the De Whale family of Normandy, England and Ireland, in connection to an Irish family I am researching, with no supporting sources of where this information came from.
Supposedly it was researched by a Major in the British Army who died in 1987.
The "De Whale" family of Normandy.
It is said that Sir Ralph De Whale and his sons Arthur De Whale, Richard De Whale and possibly another son Philip De Whale came to England in 1066 with William the Conqueror.
The family had estates/holdings at Swindon, Andover, Shaftesbury, Hawkhurst nr Hastings, Cuckfield, Maidstone, Welwyn, Chelmsford, chesterfield and Uttoxeter.
Sir Ralph returned to Normandy in 1074 to administer his lands, the "Old De Whale area" in the west of Normandy. Sir Ralph was killed at Caen c 1075 and his son Richard returned to Normandy.
His descendants are said to have been powerful Barons, Mayors and Bishops in Normandy for the next 300 years.
Arthur De Whale was said to have gone to Ireland, as a Field Commander to Strongbow?, and had land in Co Waterford, Kilkenny and Wexford. The name changed to Whalenguile. This name only lasted 1 generation and was then shortened too Whalan in Ireland.
The Norman campaigns in Ireland didnt start to 1169/70, so I'm not convinced about this part.
Is there any way to verify any of this. I do feel its a "story", but would like to establish if this family did exist.
Ive looked at Doomsday online and National Archives, and cant see De whale.
I have found reference to a Johannes De Whale/Quale in Westmoreland, England c1300, and a Margaret De Whale/Quale marrying De Lowther in Westmoreland c1320?.
There is also a village named Whale near Lowther in Westmorland, which I believe is named from these families.
Regards
Frances
I have been given the following information, on the De Whale family of Normandy, England and Ireland, in connection to an Irish family I am researching, with no supporting sources of where this information came from.
Supposedly it was researched by a Major in the British Army who died in 1987.
The "De Whale" family of Normandy.
It is said that Sir Ralph De Whale and his sons Arthur De Whale, Richard De Whale and possibly another son Philip De Whale came to England in 1066 with William the Conqueror.
The family had estates/holdings at Swindon, Andover, Shaftesbury, Hawkhurst nr Hastings, Cuckfield, Maidstone, Welwyn, Chelmsford, chesterfield and Uttoxeter.
Sir Ralph returned to Normandy in 1074 to administer his lands, the "Old De Whale area" in the west of Normandy. Sir Ralph was killed at Caen c 1075 and his son Richard returned to Normandy.
His descendants are said to have been powerful Barons, Mayors and Bishops in Normandy for the next 300 years.
Arthur De Whale was said to have gone to Ireland, as a Field Commander to Strongbow?, and had land in Co Waterford, Kilkenny and Wexford. The name changed to Whalenguile. This name only lasted 1 generation and was then shortened too Whalan in Ireland.
The Norman campaigns in Ireland didnt start to 1169/70, so I'm not convinced about this part.
Is there any way to verify any of this. I do feel its a "story", but would like to establish if this family did exist.
Ive looked at Doomsday online and National Archives, and cant see De whale.
I have found reference to a Johannes De Whale/Quale in Westmoreland, England c1300, and a Margaret De Whale/Quale marrying De Lowther in Westmoreland c1320?.
There is also a village named Whale near Lowther in Westmorland, which I believe is named from these families.
Regards
Frances