SOMERLEYTON ESTATE

Somerleyton, England

Somerleyton Hall 1300-1600
(Picture provided by Edna Jernigan)

The Manor House today

From about 838 AD for nearly two centuries, East Anglia was subject to Danish and Viking raids, including pillaging, burning, and looting. The village of Somerleyton derived its name from a Viking explorer (raider) named Sumarlithi - a warrior-name meaning "Summer-Warrior-Mariner". He settled in the area prior to 900 AD, and the area became Sumarlithi's tun, or Sumarlithi's town.

Some researchers suggest, in fact, that the original Jernegan was a Danish swordmaker who perfected the process of iron-braid metallurgy (later referred to as the damascening process).

At any rate, the estate at Somerleyton was held by a Sir Peter Fitzobert, whose son, Sir Roger was lord of the manor during the reign of Henry III and Edward I until he died in 1305. After Sir Roger's death, the estate passed to his sister, Isabella, because Sir Roger had no children. Isabella, widow of Sir Henry de Walpole subsequently married Sir Walter Jernegan, and the estate remained in the Jernegan family by descent until its sale to the Wentworth family in 1604.

The manor which is now on the estate is the fourth such splendid residence to be on the property, and was built in about 1840. Thus sadly, no Jernigans ever lived in the current manor.

Also located in the village of Somerleyton is St. Mary's Church, which dates to about 1309. Behind the altar of St. Mary's is a sepulchre of dark marble, with the inscription,

Jesus Christ both God and man

Save thy servant Jernegan

Quoting from "A Thousand Years of Village History", "Camden conjectured it to be the monument of Sir Richard Jernegan, Privy Councillor to Henry VIII, but the arms of Appleyard which appear on it impaled with Jernegan suggest it to be the tomb of Sir Thomas Jernegan (d. 1446) who married Joan Appleyard of Dunston in Norfolk."

"A previous Sir Thomas, who died in 1406, and his wife, glazed the church windows at their own expense. The old stone floor of the chancel covers the remains of Edward Jernegan who died 6th May 1515, and was buried by the side of his first wife, the inscription reading:

"Margaret jernegan the wyef of Edward Jernegan Esquyer, d. of Sir Edmund Bedingfelde Knt, which Margaret dyed the XXIIII of March anno MDIIII"

At the rear of the church is a placque with the names of Rectors and "Patrons" of the church, from 1309 to the modern times. Prominent among the Patrons during the period 1354 - 1553 were several Jernigans, notable John Jernegan, and Edward Jernegan. A later John Jernegan, Knight is listed as a patron.

There is an additional property, named Costessey, which was granted to Henry Jerningham for service to Queen Mary. The branch who settled there changed the spelling of their names to Jerningham, to distinguish it from the main branch, but the coat of arms is very similar – having three scallop shells in lieu of the three lozenge shaped red buckles. This Henry was the son of Sir Edward and second wife Mary Scroope. His son Henry Jerningham Esq md as 2nd wife his 1st cousin 2twice removed, Frances, daughter and co-heir of John Jernegan of Somerleyton.  The Costessey manor no longer exists.  But the present manor, though not the original, has incorporated the beautiful carved wood paneling from the original Jernegan home. The Jernegan arms are preserved in stained glass above the staircase in the main hall.

There is also reportedly a Jernegan crest in either the Knights hall of Westminster Abbey, or in the Privy Council chambers (Sir Richard Jernegan was very close to Henry VIII) although I have not seen them. Those more persistent than I may have better luck.

At any rate we can all be very proud of the fact that we bear one of the oldest and most respected surnames in English history, and that our ancestors had a marked effect on the course of events in English history.

The Maze

The stables complete with clock and aviary

Photos taken by Jim Jernigan except where noted.  The information on this page is contributed mainly by Jim Jernigan with a few additions from Kay Stone.

To go to The Jernigan Home Page, click here

To go to The Jernigan Researchers List, click here

To go to the Jernigan Family Photo Album, click here

To go to the Jernigans in the War Between the States, click here