Sir William de Molins, 1st Lord of Sefton

Additional Curator's Notes:

It is unclear exactly which generation adopted the name de Molyneux, which later became, simply, Molyneux. The surname is recorded differently by each source. The name progressed from de Molins to de Molines to de Molyneux (or de Molineux in Dugdale's Visitations). By about the sixth generation (Sir Adam who married Letitia de Brinley), some form of Molyneux seems to be the more common usage. As curator for this line, I have remained consistent with de Molins until the sixth generation, lacking any conclusive proof to change it earlier. Maria Edmonds-Zediker, Volunteer Curator, Aug. 27, 2013

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William de Molins was born c.1030 in Molineaux-sur-Seine, near Rouen, in Normandy. He was the son of Robert de Moulin. He is believed to have fought with William the Conqueror in 1066. The family claims that he was listed 18th on the Rolls at Battle Abbey, but this cannot be proven.

Whatever his service to William the Conqueror, he was rewarded with large tracts of land in Lancashire by gift of the crown, and the manors of Septon (Sefton), Thornton, Cuerden (Kerndon), ten carucates and a half of land, at the service of half a knight's fee. William Molyneux made Septon his chief seat.

He is known to be the father of Sir Vivian de Molins, who became Castellanus of Liverpool, and who inherited the title Lord of Sefton. Some sources list an additional son, Robert, first born, who died without heirs and, thus Vivian inherited from Robert, not William. It is noted that family historian Nellie Zada Rice Molyneux does not include this elder son in her work. A Wikipedia article on the family names the additional brother William, not Robert.

The date of Sir William's death is not clear. He was certainly alive after 1066, having fought with the Conqueror and receiving Sefton as his reward. Sources disagree on the date of birth for his son, Sir Vivian. It could have been as early as 1070 or as late as 1085, or anywhere in between. The date range shown on this profile reflects the ambiguity of Sir Vivian's date of birth.

Links to additional material:

• History, Genealogical and Biographical, of the Molyneux Families, Nellie Zada Rice Molyneux - January 1, 1904, C.W. Bardeen - Publisher
• http://cybergata.com/roots/5768.htm
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Molyneux_(surname)
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_Abbey_Roll

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William William De Molyneux Guillaume De Moulines Sir De Falaise William De Molines De Molins MyHeritage Family Trees

McHargue Web Site, managed by Carl McHargue (Contact)

Birth: 1030 - Molineaux-sur-Seine, near Rouen, Normandy, France

Death: 1070 - Sefton, West Derby, Lancashire, England

Father: Robert De Molins

Son: Vivian Sir Vivian De Molyneux De Molins

• Not a known son of comte Guimond de Moulins, seigneur de Castrum Molinis (Normandie)
  {father of Italian-Norman knots.. with which he would also be in time-jump}
• Not the husband of Heloise, prelate nullius

 Source PLZ 

The LDS Ancestral File lists a William Molyneux as an intermediate generation between Robert and Vivian. As noted above in another source, William and Robert were brothers, both sons of Robert.

According to folkloric legend:

ROBERT MOLYNEUX: According to tradition, which cannot be vouched for, he was the son of Abelard, a Spanish priest of noble family and Heloise, a French nun. But there is to be found among the Bishops of Hereford, the name of Robert de Meulin, Priory of Llanthony, who was consecrated 22 Dec., 1163, Ob. 27 Feb, 1166-7, therefore it would not be surprising if the Robert de Meulin here named were not the son mentioned and the ancestor of the House of Molyneux. As the story goes, Heloise left the cloister, going to Moulin, where Robert was born. She then returned to the Cloister, where by her pennance and piety she became the Abbess of the Cloister. This illicit love was a scandal to the Church, and after the birth of the son Robert they were privately married. The union did not appease the wrath of the canon, and Abelard was expelled from the priesthood and became one of the founders of the Oblates, a society still existing in the Caucasian Mountains. (Tradition also tells us that from this order of Priests often comes the call to the House of Molyneux, and when this call comes, the one called leaves all to obey.) Robert Molyneux, born in Mouline, known as "The Comte de Meulin", married ________ .

Robert had two sons, William and Vivian. Captain William Molyneux (Molins) appears to have been one of the most distinguished, as well as from the Battle Abbey roll, wherin his name stands 18th in order as from the old Chronicles of the duchy, wherin he is set down and placed as a most especial and chief man in nearness and singular credit with his royal master. Captain William Molyneux and his brother, Vivian were in the 1st expedition of the Army sent by William the Conquerer under the conduct of Roger de Poytiers, and the said Roger de Poytiers who was then possessed of all the tract of land in Lanc. between the river Ribbie and Mersy by gift of the crown, gave among other lands and manors of Sefton, Thorndon, Kerdon, and half of land as services of kalf Knts. fee. Whereof he William Molyneux made Septon his chief seat and was s. by his brother Vivian de Molyneux.

https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/soc.genealogy.medieval/gggp...

Peter Abelard refers to him as "a priest."

Peter Abelard, Abbot, Theologian, Philosopher 21 April 1142 

He was married in 1047 in England.