Geoffrey Norreys, III

Geoffrey Noreys/Norreys (1370-1408)

Geoffrey Noreys/Norreys was born 1370 in England.

Children of Geoffrey Noreys are:

1. Geoffrey Noreys b. 1400, Congham County, Norfolk, England; d. August 12, 1464, West Bilney, County Norfolk, England.
2. John Noreys

Sources

Notes

What does the "Norris" name mean?

1. Regional name for someone who had migrated from the North (i.e. further north in England, or from Scotland or Scandinavia), from Old French nor(r)eis 'northerner'.
2. Topographic name for someone who lived in a house on the north side of a settlement or estate, from Middle English north 'north' + hous 'house'.

The Norreys family is an ancient one that has roots stemming back to William the Conqueror and before. Originally known as "Norrensis", "de Noers", "de Norreis", and "le Norreys", among others, the family apparently comes from the Noyers area of Normandy. William de Noers came with William the Conqueror in 1066 and settled in England after it was taken over by the Normans. Because of his great help in the Battle of Hastings William de Noers was granted 33 manors in England, mostly in Suffolk and Norfolk. It is believed that his descendants are the primary Norris families in England. The earliest "de Noers" family history is the first link above, beginning with William de Noers who fought at the Battle of Hastings.

For over 500 years the "le Norreys" family have fought next to the Kings of England, growing in stature and lands throughout the period. Hugh le Norreys attended the Crusades with King John and was granted lands in Lancashire for his efforts on behalf of England. His descendants eventually gained titles and possessions next to the manors of all the Kings of England through the 16th century, becoming Sheriffs over many shires and barons in their own right.

While nearly half of the "le Norreys" family succombed to the great "Black Death" plague of 1348-1350, the effect of that tragedy was to concentrate the land holdings among fewer members of the "le Norreys" clan, resulting in greater power for those who survived. By the time of King Henry VIII in the 1530s the "le Norreys" family had had a long history of service to the Kings and Queens of England. Sir Henry Norreys was the head of the King's bedchamber and was considered one of King Henry's closest friends. He is also the same Sir Henry Norreys who was beheaded, along with four other "friends" of the king, on the order of King Henry VIII, for supposedly having had relations with Anne Bolyn, who also lost her head over the supposed affair.

For more on this and many other tales follow the link above to learn the history of the "le Norreys" family in England.

Discussion group - Norris - Norreys Research in Yorkshire and Normandy

Geoffrey Norreys II was the beloved son of Geoffrey Norreys I and Mrs. Geoffrey Norreys. Geoffrey was born in 1370 in Tilney, Norfolk, England and died in Tilney, Norfolk, England. Burial: Congham, Kings Lynn and West Norfolk Borough, Norfolk, England.

Children of Geoffrey Norreys II and Mrs. Geoffrey Norreys:

1. . John Norreys, b. 1404 in Norfolk County, England.
2. . Geoffrey Norreys III, b. 1408 in Congham, Norfolk County, England.

References

1. Harry Alexander Davis, The Norris Family of Maryland & Virginia; Genealogy of Thomas Norris 1361 - 1930 (4 vol. 1941 Washington D.C. Transcript), pg. IX, Library of Congress, Photoduplication Service, 101 Independence Avenue SE, Washington, District of Columbia, 20540-4570, CS71.N858; Microfilm 88/5447 MicRR 99ft. "The Norris Family" is an amazing work in Genealogy, 1500 pages in four volumes. Only three copies were produced, and one is located in the Rare Books Section of the Library of Congress. Another is to be in the Kansas DAR Library at dodge city, Ks.
2. Partial Abstract of Major Harry Alexander Davis, Transcript
3. Norris, Ursula (1966) "Charles Norris, Tenby Artist, and his Family". Cylchgrawn Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru (The National Library of Wales Journal). 14 (4): 489–496.
4. Herbert S. Norris, Norris Family Aquilla and Priscilla Norris Descendants of Thomas Norris and Ann Hynson (25 Oct 1997, update 27 Feb. 1999),
5. Marjorie (Butler) (Mrs. Henry Norris) Harrison, Pennsylvania Descendants of Thomas Norris of Maryland 1630 - 1959 and allied Families (1959 Edwards Brothers Inc. Ann Arbor, Mi.), pg. V, National Genealogical Society, 4527 Seventeenth St. N., Arlington, Virginia. 22207-2399, CS/71/N858/1959.
6. Personal Records of Thomas Green III, E-Mail: tmgreen@batnet.com. His records refer to paper(s) Library of Congress; asssuming he is refering to 4 Vol. transcript of Harry Alexander Davies.
7. Personal Records of Christine E. (Mrs. James M.) Williams, May 1980 and 1981, Kentucky Historical Society, 100 West Broadway, Frankfort, Kentucy 40601-1931, E-Mail: www.kyhistory.org, Fax:502-564-4701.
8. Owings Stone family
9. Ellingham Family, Genepology centre, Allen County Public Library
10. The Families of Norris of Norfolk by Walter Rye
11. Find a Grave memorial
12. Bud Norris' Genealogy File (Legacy) | curated by Loren Norris
13. Goodman Ancestors - Norris
14. Mary Norris Johnson
15. Old Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: May 22 2018, 16:54:42 UTC