A Brief History of Ancestry de Thornburghe

It is said that success in locating your ancestors in old European records depends on whether they held land or titles, for of those were the best kept records. We are fortunate in the Thornsberry/Thornsburgh line as our ancestors held both. The history of the family dates from the eleventh century and its fortunes were tied very closely with the history and intrigues of European politics.

The origin of the surname (and its variants) was derived from a location. Its meaning was "Dweller at or near the thorn bushes." This referred to an area in Yorkshire which included the town of Thornborough, the Thornborough Moors, and a stone henge known as the Thornborough Circles. These exist today in modern England, north of Ripon, in Yorkshire.

The origin of the family lands and titles began with Ivo de Tailboise who rode with William the Conquer in the Norman Conquest of England. He was rewarded with a Barony. His descendants continued to marry well and though marriage acquired additional titles and lands.
 

The Norman Conquest

Before we get to Ivo and Williman I, let us step back a generation to the previous monarch, Edward, the Confessor, (King of England 1042 - 1066). Edward spent his childhood in Normandy, consequently during his reign listened to Norman advisors. When Edward died, Harold, the son of Earl Godwin was selected by the English people to became King Harold II. However, the sixth Duke of Normandy, William (the Conquer) claimed the throne of England. Edward the Confessor was William's father's cousin and apparently promised William the throne. Harold, after being shipwrecked on the coast of Normandy, was also said to have promised William that he would support his succession.

William, at twenty four had established full and complete authority in his duchy. He was considered the strongest lord in France. Landing with an army composed of Norman adventurers and many mercenaries, William defeated Harold's forces at the battle of Hastings, leaving Harold dead on the field. William I, the Conqueror, was crowned King of England on Christmas Day 1066 and ruled England to 1087. He seized land from his opposition and awarded it to his followers, one of whom was Ivo de Tailboise.

Ivo de_Tailboise was "left hand brother" to Fulke, Count of Anjou. This could mean he was a half brother, but whatever that meant, he was not in a position to inherit. It was perfectly logical then that he threw in his lot with William to invade England. It is also possible that he was related to William's father, therefore to William. After the conquest, Ivo was given lands in Lancaster and made the Baron of Kendall and he was made Earl of Holland in Lincolnshire. Ivo married Lucia, daughter of Thorold, an Englishman who was Lord of Spaulding in Linconshire and the Count of Mercia. Ivo married the second time to a daughter of King Eadgar, King of Mercia. Their son was Elftred.

Eldred, 2nd Baron of Kendall. Eldred or sometimes spelled (Elftred) married Edgitha who was the granddaughter of King Ethelred II. They had the following children:
Ketel who became the 3rd Baron of Kendall as well as Gilbert and william.
Ketel married Christiana and they had a son Orm who became the 4th Baron of Kendall. He married Gunilda, daughter of the Earl of Cumberland. They had two sons Gospatrick Ormson 5th Baron of Kendall and Robert Ormson. Robert married Christina, daughter of Anketin de Meynwarin. Their children trace directly to William de Thoroboughe.

Gospatrick married Egilina de Culwen and six generations later their descendant Elena de Culwen, married William de Thornburgh the descendant of Robert and Christina, combining the lineage from Robert and Gospatrick. By the time of this union the Thornburgh and de Culwen lines had accumulated additional titles and lands.

Finally, William de Thoroboughe married the daughter of Sir John Coker. They had a son, William, who was knighted. (Probably through the influence of the boys' grandfather (Sir John). The remaining descendants can be read about from the link to the William de Thoroboughe page.
 

Why America?

So then, why did the descendants of this family leave the estates and grand halls? Principally , it was religion. Though the subsequent generations found themselves in a turmoil of politics, (i.e. the War of Roses). Certainly the rise of Protestantism and then Cromwell, created rough times for this family which was devote Catholic. However, it was the Quaker movement, the Society of Friends, and the inspiration of George Fox (its' Founder) which caused the subsequent migration. Some members of the Cartmel and Kendall families became quite ardent followers between the years 1663-1700; and some were induced or forced to leave.

Robert Thornborough the son of Charles of Methop, migrated to a Quaker stronghold in Cootenhill, Ireland. There he married Sarah Jackson in 1685. They had three boys and a girl. The sons, Walter, Edward, and Thomas emigrated to the American Colonies between 1713-1729. Robert's father Charles, and his uncle, Richard were also listed as followers of Fox in the English Quaker Records.


Note: I am deeply indebted to Mr. Charles C. Thornburg III, from whose book A Discourse on the Thornburg Family, this information has been abstracted.
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