Exploring Walsh Connections in Wales
Walsh Associations
Two brothers came from Wales during the Cambro-Norman Invasion of Ireland.
One was Philip "the Welshman", who settled in South Kilkenny, and the
other was David, who settled in county Dublin. Both were referred to as
Le Walleys or Walshe, and both received large estates as a result of their achievements
in battle and their relationship to the Cambro-Norman invaders. Both were
given titles from Henry II: David was Baron of Carrickmines (Carrickmaine),
and Philip was Baron of Shancahir (Oldcourt).
From their Gaelic roots in Wales they were known as Le Waleys and
one source connects them to the Barons of Cornwall. Others speculate their
origin in the 
Pembrokeshire region
of South Wales where other Cambro-Norman families originated, such
as the Barrys, Barretts, Carews, and Roches.
A footnote in the Welsh text "Brut y Tywysogion" (The Chronicle of the Princes), compiled at the
Welsh monastary of Strata Florida around 1300 alludes that William Hay Wallensis, son of Nesta and
?? de Hay/Hait, was perhaps the father, or grandfather, of Philip and David (who went to Ireland).
William Hay held St. Clare (in Wales) around the year 1130, and was found campaigning with William
and Maurice FitzGerald in Carmarthen in 1137. The 'Brut' begins in 681, with the death of Cadwalader
(son of the famous Cadwallon) and ends with the death of Dafydd ap Gruffudd, brother to Llywelyn ap
Gruffudd (the Last Prince) in 1282.
It is also suggested that Philip and David Le Walleys (Walshe, Welsh or Walsh) were nephews of Robert FitzStephen,
as well as descended from Rhys ap Tewdwr. If this is the case, their connection may derive from
a Welsh woman named "Nesta", who was a common ancestor
of many early leaders in the Cambro-Norman Invasion into Ireland.
Both Giraldus Cambrensis and Camden (Britannia) allude to Philip and David as blood relatives of
the FitzGeralds, Fitz-Stephens, De Cogans, De Barris, and also of Gruffydd ap Rhys, Prince of South Wales.
In an attempt to learn more about possible associations, and potential
relationship of the two Welshmen mentioned above, the following outlines
some of the leaders and participants in the Cambro-Norman Invasion of Ireland.
Norman Conquest: The Invitation and the Invaders
Dermot MacMurrough, after being defeated in 1166 by Rory O'Connor, King of
Connacht and his ally, Tiernan O'Rourke, ruler of Breifne, fled to England
for help in regaining his territory in Leinster. Dermot, meeting with Henry
II, was eventually aided by Strongbow (Richard de Clare) who provided manpower
for a failed invasion led by Dermot in 1167/68. At Strongbow's direction,
the next invasion was led by Robert FitzStephen in association with Dermot.
This attempt succeeded in May, 1169.
Robert FitzStephen led this mercenary party into Ireland, with his step-brother
Maurice FitzGerald. Robert and Maurice embarked with a small body of
soldiers in two ships a year prior to Strongbow's arrival in
Ireland. In concert with the Irish of Leinster, they first captured Wexford, with which lordship
Maurice was eventually invested.
Further Reference:
Medieval Sourcebook.
Strongbow next directed another invasion force led by
Raymond "Le Gros" de Carew, a nephew of
Maurice FitzGerald. Raymond successfully established himself on the Wexford
coast after defeating a group of Irish chieftains from Ossory and Idrone.
Surprised by these victories O'Connor and his allies
granted Dermot all of the lands of Southern Leinster, under the agreement
that the Cambro-Norman mercenaries would be sent home.
After the advance parties had established themselves in Wexford, and after
the unsatisfied Dermot MacMurrough asked him to expedite his arrival,
Strongbow was the next to follow with an invasion force.
Richard FitzGilbert
de Clare aka
Strongbow (b. c. 1130--d. April 20, 1176, Dublin, Ire.),
was the son of Gilbert FitzGilbert, 1st Earl of Pembroke,
who succeeded to his father's estates in southern Wales in 1148/49.
Pembroke had evidently lost these lands before 1168; it was probably in that
year that he agreed to aid Dermot MacMurrough. King Henry II of England
(reigned 1154-89) granted Strongbow
permission to go to Ireland, and on Aug. 23, 1170, the earl landed near
Waterford. Waterford and Dublin quickly fell to the Cambro-Normans. As
reimbursement for Strongbow's assistance, Dermot gave his daughter Aoife
(Eva)'s hand in marriage, assuring Strongbow a right to lands in
Leinster.
After the death of MacMurrough in May 1171, Strongbow was besieged in
Dublin by Irish King Rory O'Connor, but in September his forces broke out
and routed Rory's army. In order to prevent Strongbow from setting himself
up as an independent ruler, Henry II had him acknowledge royal authority
over his conquests in Leinster. Strongbow helped the king suppress a
rebellion in Normandy in 1173-74, and in return Henry granted him custody
of Wexford, Waterford, and Dublin. By the time Strongbow died, all Ireland
had been committed to his care, but within Ireland his supremacy was
recognized only in Leinster.
For further historical reference on the invasion, see
The Cambro-Norman Reaction: The Invasion of Ireland, as well as
the Norman invasion cited at Ireland's History in Maps.
Lineages of the Invaders
FitzStephen
Robert FitzStephen was the son Stephen the Castellan, Constable of Cardigan castle,
and his wife Nest (or Nesta), Princess of Deheubarth. Robert's step-brother
on his father's side was named William Walensis, whose parents were Stephen
and another wife named Hay. Robert had two sons, Ralph FitzStephen (d 1182)
and Meredith FitzStephen. A possible third son was named Geoffrey.
A Geoffrey FitzRobert was appointed to the barony of Kells in
Ossory (Kilkenny), an area of Walsh land holdings including Castle Hale in
the south east corner. Robert FitzStephen was said to be the uncle (or "dear relative")
of Philip and David "Walshe". Could Robert's brother, William Walensis, be
more than a possible uncle?
FitzGerald
Maurice FitzGerald was a native of the colony of Pembroke in Wales and was the son of
Gerald fitz Walter [de Windsor] and Nesta. He was Lord of Lanstephen and
Maynooth, and constable of Pembroke from about 1097 onwards, whose castle
was at Carew. This Gerald was the son of a Norman who had come over in 1066
with King William. From Maurice’s brother William descend the Carew family
while from his other brother David, bishop of St Davids in Wales, come the FitzGeralds,
barons of Brownsford in County Kilkenny, and lords of Gurteen. Maurice himself had six sons, all of whom
obtained lands in Ireland. Four of these left descendants: Thomas, ancestor of the Geraldines
of Desmond; Gerald, ancestor of the Kildare Geraldines; Maurice, ancestor of the
Geraldine barons of Burnchurch in County Kilkenny, some of whose descendants
styled themselves Barron; and Robert who settled on lands in County Kerry and whose
great-grandson Maurice was the ancestor of the Kerry FitzMaurices. One of the early
FitzMaurices was Piers, ancestor of the Kerry Pierses.
Maurice's grandson John FitzThomas FitzGerald married the daughter of Thomas
FitzAnthony, Lord of Decies and Desmond (and referred to as Walsh in Egan's History
of Waterford). Thomas settled at what is now Thomastown, County Kilkenny, again
near later land holdings of the Walsh families.
de Carew
Raymond "Le Gros" de Carew [FitzGerald] (d. circa 1188) was the son of
William FitzGerald, of Norman ancestry, who in turn was the son of Gerald
FitzWalter de Windsor, Constable of Pembroke Castle, and his wife Nest (or
Nesta). Two of Raymond's brothers were Griffin FitzWilliam, baron of
Knocktopher, and Odo de Carew, ancestor of the Carews of Carlow. Griffin FitzWilliam
was granted the barony of Knocktopher in Kilkenny just north of Miles
FitzDavid's (son of Gerald and Nesta's son David) barony of Iverk.
Walsh properties,
as identified by records of later years, lay on both sides of the boundary
between Knocktopher and Iverk baronies. A couple of references (Cambrensis) point to a
David Walsh as a son of one of Raymond's sisters, perhaps Raymond's possible sister
Isabel de Carew. Another reference (O'Hart) points to a Howell Walsh, son of Philip,
to have married a daughter of Raymond le Gros, while yet another source (Burke) says
Howell Walsh was married to a daughter of Griffin FitzWilliam, a brother of Raymond
and Mabel.
Further reference -
Barony
Map of County Kilkenny.
Raymond's [illegitimate] son was Richard de Carew, Carew Lord of Cork 1, who was the
ancestor of successive Carew Lords of Cork - Robert, then Richard, then Maurice, and then Thomas.
Nesta - mother and grandmother of Norman-Welsh Invaders
In her time Nesta was known as the most beautiful woman in Wales. She had
many lovers, and children from at least three fathers: Stephen the Castellan, Gerald
FitzWalter and Henry I. In Christmas 1108 Owain ap Cadwgan of Cardigan came
to visit Gerald and Nesta. He so lusted after her that he, that night,
attacked the castle and carried her off and had his way with her. This
upset Henry I so much that the incident started a war.
Nesta was of Welsh background. Her father was Rhys ap Tewdwr Mawr,
Prince of South Wales (1081-1093). Her brother, Gruffydd ap Rhys, Lord of
South Wales was the father Rhys ap Gruffydd, titled
the Lord Rhys, of South Wales.
Nesta's ancestral line in south Wales is quite long. Her father was
Rhys ap Tewdwr Mawr, son of was Tewdwr Mawr (the Great) ap Cadell.
Tewdr Mawr was the son of Cadell ap Einion, son of Einion ap Owain, who in
turn was the son of Owain ap Hywel Dha, King of South Wales. Owain was the
son of Hywel Dha (the Good) ap Cadell, Prince of Deheubarth, who in turn
was the son of Cadell ap Rhodri Mawr, King of South Wales. Cadell was the
son of Rhodri Mawr (the Great), Prince of South Wales, who was the son of
Merfyn the Freckled, King of Gwynedd, who was in turn the son of Gwriad of
Man, King of Gwynedd, and so on.
Nesta was also associated with Henry I, King of England, and together had a
son named Henry FitzHenry (1103-1157). One of Henry's sons was Meiler
FitzHenry who was also involved in the Norman invasion. Henry also
had sons, Robert, Master Morgan and Amabel FitzHenry. Meiler married a
de Lacy, claimed to be a daughter of Robert de Lacy (d. 1220), and had
another son known as Meiler FitzHenry. The elder Meiler (or Meyler)
FitzHenry assisted a David (Walsh) in becoming rector of Dungarvan and
Bishop of Waterford in 1204. Further reference:
Descendants of Nesta.
Pembroke - Strongbow
As mentioned above, Richard "Strongbow" de Clare directed the initial incursions into
Ireland in 1169-70. His ancestry leads back to the Norman Conquest of England and into
Normandy, France.
Strongbow's Father was Gilbert Strongbow FitzGilbert de Clare, Earl of
Pembroke. etc. - 1110 to 1147. The lineage continues as shown below:
Strongbow's G-Father - Gilbert FitzRichard de Clare, Lord of Clare - 1066 to 1117
GG-Father - Richard FitzGilbert de Clare - 1035 to 1090
GGG-Father - Gilbert of Brionne, Count of Brionne - died 1040
GGGG-Father - Godfrey of Brionne & Eu - died circa 1015
GGGGG-Father - Richard I the Fearless, Duke of Normandy - 933 to 996
GGGGGG-Father - William I Longsword, Duke of Normany - acc. 932 to 942
GGGGGGG-Father - Robert (Rollo) Ragnvaldsson, Duke of Normandy - 870 to 932
GGGGGGGG-Father - Rolf, the Ganger, Ragnvaldsson, Duke of Normandy - 846 to 932
GGGGGGGGG-Father - Ragnvald I, the wise, Eysteinsson, of More - died 894
GGGGGGGGGG-Father - Eystein, the Noisy, Glumra, Earl of the Uplanders - b. 788
GGGGGGGGGGG-Father - Ivar of the Uplands, Earl of the Uplands
Strongbow's son Gilbert de Striguil (or Strigoil) died unmarried, before
1189, and as a minor was never styled earl. The earldom passed
with Strongbow's daughter Isabel (1174-1220) to her husband
William Marshal, the 4th Earl of Pembroke.
See also The de Clare
Family.
Pembroke - Marshal
Following the death of Strongbow his acquired territory in Ireland and
the Earldom at Pembroke was passed to his son-in-law William Marshal.
William Marshall, Earl of Pembroke, marshal and then regent of England
served four English monarchs as a royal adviser and agent and as a
warrior of outstanding prowess.
Marshal's father, John (FitzGilbert) the Marshal (d. 1165), fought for the
empress Matilda (widow of the German emperor Henry V and daughter
of Henry I of England) in her unsuccessful struggle to gain the throne of
her cousin King Stephen (reigned 1135-54). After proving his bravery in
warfare and in tournaments, Marshal became a guardian (1170) to
Prince Henry, eldest son of King Henry II (reigned 1154-89). In 1187,
four years after the prince's death, Marshal reentered Henry II's service
and fought beside him in France until the king died in 1189.
Upon the accession of Henry's third son, Richard I the Lion-Heart
(reigned 1189-99), Marshal married Isabel, the heiress of Richard
FitzGilbert (de Clare), Earl of Pembroke, thereby acquiring vast
estates in England, Normandy, Wales, and Ireland. Richard I set forth on a
crusade in 1190, leaving William Longchamp in charge of the kingdom.
In the following year Pembroke joined the opposition that drove
Longchamp into exile. While Richard was held captive in Germany
(1192-94), Pembroke struggled to prevent the king's brother, John,
from seizing power in England.
Upon the death of Richard I in 1199, William Marshal helped John succeed
peacefully to the throne; he was formally recognized as Earl of
Pembroke. By 1213 he had become the king's closest adviser, and he
remained loyal to John during the disputes with the barons that led to the
signing of the charter of liberties known as Magna Carta (June 1215).
John died during the ensuing civil war with the barons, who had invited
Louis of France (later King Louis VIII) to be their king. Designated
rector regis et regni ("governor of the king and of the kingdom") for
John's son, King Henry III, Pembroke defeated the English barons and
French invaders and in September 1217 concluded a treaty with Louis
that wisely granted amnesty to the rebellious barons.
William Marshal died in 1219, and was succeeded by his son, William.
William the younger served as justiciary of Ireland from 1224 to 1226, in that
time removing William de Lacy from his power base at Trim Castle. Young Williiam
died in 1231 and was succeeded by his brother Richard Marshal. Richard was
killed in Ireland in 1234 in dispute with King Henry III. Among the leading feudatories
of Richard Marshal who sided with their lord, and had to pay large fines before they were
given back their lands, included Matthew FitzGriffin and Henry Walsh.
The Walsh Arms (in Wales?)
In Owen's list [Nicholas Owen, British Remains, London, 1777]
of the ancient arms there are two entries which have a bearing
on the origin of the Walshs of Ireland. For instance, the arms he attributes
to "Cadogan of Bachan" are precisely those borne for centuries by the Walshs
of Castle Howell (Hale) in Kilkenny, namely, "Argent, a chevron gules between
three pheons erect." Cadogan may refer to Cadogan ap Cadwalader who was in
Cardigan, Wales in 1151 at the time of Robert FitzStephen. This Cadogan was "claimed"
to have brothers referred to as 'le Waleys' and one of them, either Ralph or Richard, was
perhaps married to Isabel de Carew who was a sister of Raymond le Gros.
The term Bachan may refer to Cantref Bychan,
or Cantref Bachan as used by Geraldus Cambrensis in his
"Description of Wales" written about 1194. Cantref Bychan was an area of south Wales which was
reportedly held by the Lord Rhys (Rhys ap Gruffydd) and the princes of Deheubarth from 1136
to 1158, and again from 1162 to 1282.
Other references to Cantref Bychan include the Castle of Cantref Bychan, or 'chastell y Cantref Bychan',
an earlier name for Llandovery (aka Llanymddyfri in Carmarthen) Castle which was constructed by the
Norman marcher lord Richard Fitzpons beginning around 1116. Circa 1136 Hywel ap Maredudd ap Rhydderch,
a Welsh noble is noted to have expelled the Anglo-Norman Fitzpons (Clifford) family from Cantref Bychan.
After the Normans retook the castle, Lord Rhys ap Gruffydd is cited to have taken it back circa 1162. In 1171
King Henry II, on his way to Ireland, confirmed Lord Rhys in possesion of Cantref Bychan, Ceredigion and Emly
despite the respective claims of the de Clare and Clifford families and William fitz Gerald, lord of Carew. In 1216
the Treaty of Aberdyfi (Aberdovey) confirms Rhys Gryg as Lord of Cantref Bychan and Cantref Mawr; the
lands of the Towy (Tywi) valley. The river Tywi was an important boundary of great antiquity, separating
Cantref Mawr on the north bank from Cantref Bychan (specifically Cwmwd Iscennen) and
Cantref Cydweli on the south bank. Cydweli had been in Anglo-Norman hands
since c.1110 but Iscennen, as well as Cantref Mawr, remained nominally independent
in the hands of the Welsh, unlike the rest of Cantref Bychan, until 1284 (source: Rees, 1932).
Carreg Cennen, at the head of Welsh
Cantref Bychan (the commote of Is-cennen) was originally a castle site of the Princes of Deheubarth.
Cantref Bychan, anciently part of the gwlad of Ystrad Tywi, or the kingdom of the
Towy Valley, is in the northeast corner of Carmarthen,
and quite close to Denbigh, which included the cantreds of Rhos and Ryfoniog.
Also nearby in Cardigan is Ystrad Flur (Strata Florida). Owen gives as the
arms of "Cadogan of Ustrad Flur," "Azure, a lion rampant argent," the arms
of the Walsh of Carrickmines, except the latter, as a mark of "difference,"
are "debruised by a fess per pale of the second and gules." The first abbey of
Strata Florida was founded by the Cambro-Norman Robert fitz Stephen in 1164 for the
Cistercians, but by the next year came under the support of the prince of
Deheubarth, Rhys ap Gruffudd. Cadogan of Ustrad Flur may refer to
Cadwgan ap Bleddyn,
Lord Nannau and Prince of Powys, born in
Cardigan, Wales about 1080, died in 1110/1111. Cadwgan reportedly had a banner with a
"a lion rampant" prominently displayed on it. His son, Owain, abducted the beautiful
Nesta.
The arms of Walsh of Ballykilcavan, "Argent, a fesse azure between six
martlets sable," seem to be of an origin quite different than the previous
two, pointing either to Philip of Wigorn (de Worcester) himself or to Walshs
who, for centuries in that district on the eastern border of Wales, bore
these arms, and some of whose descendants came to Ireland in official
positions in later centuries. However, it looks as though they were in
Ireland as early as 1200 A.D. Philip de Worcester was granted land in the south of County
Tipperary about the year 1185.
Other Reference to Wales
Welsh of Monmouthsire
About 1128 Guy de Sancto Wallerico was granted lands in Chepstow, Caerwent, Monmouthshire, south Wales,
which may have included Dinham Castle.
The arms of the family 'Welsh' seated at Dinham Castle and at Llanwern down to the the early part of the 17th
century, as well as those of notable Walshs of
England, were the same as the coats of Sancto Wallerico, that is: "Ermine, a bend sable".
Guy de Sancto Wallerico left a son Reginald, whose line ended in coheiresses early in the reign
of Henry III; but Guy may have had another younger son or sons, from whom perhaps
descended a family whose name we find written Le Walleys, Wallens, Walshe, and finally
after some other variations of orthography, Welsh. The corruption of Wallerico (Walerie or Waleries) to Walsh
is no more strange than many others that could be named. However this may be, two
of the family accompanied Strongbow to Ireland in or about 1170; these were David Le
Walleys, and Phillip Le Walleys, younger sons of Ralph and brothers of William Le
Walleys. It may be right to observe that Dinham, and Llanwern were mesne fees, the former
certainly, and probably the latter, at that period held under Strongbow (Gilbert de Clare) as
Lord of Chepstow.
It is probable that at one time Dinham was their principal seat, as several of them are found
described as of this place, thus Adam De Dinham in the reigns of Henry III, and Edward II.
William De Dinham, or William Le Walsh in the Reign of Edward III. Christopher Welsh, who
was High Sheriff in 1569, was the last of the family who held Dinham.
Source: "Notes on the Ecclesiastical Remains at Runston, Sudbrook, Dinham, and Llan-bedr", by Octavius Morgan and Thomas Wakeman, 1856. Printed for the Monmouthshire and Caerleon Antiquary Association, by Henry Mullock, Newport.
Footnote to above: Between 1200 and 1210 Philip Walensis and Henry de Sancto Waleric were witnesses to a grant of land in Ely O'Carrol (Ireland) from William de Braose to Adam de Hereford. Among the other witnesses included Robert Walensis. (source: Ormond Deeds, i. p. 9-10. Original charter in the Register of St. Thomas [Rolls Series])
The other principal seat in Monmouthshire included Llanwern (and Llanwern park) owned by the Welsh family until 1629, on death of Anthony Welsh. It then passed to the Vanne (Van) family until the latter 18th century when it came into the hands of the Salusbury family. Source: J.B. Burke, Visitation, 2nd Series, I, 1854, 124.
In genealogy we find one Margaret Welsh , born about 1250, daughter of Sir John Welsh of Lllanwern. Margaret was married to Herbert ap Piers [Fitz Peter], Lord of Uwain Howell [or Llanllowel, Monmouth].
An LDS Ancestral File cites a Sir John Welsh, of Llan-Wern, Llebenydd, Monmouthshire, England, born about 1355, with two daughters; Margred and Cecily. The IGI notes a Sir John Welsh of Llanwern, born about 1403.
Walsch / Walche of Glamorganshire
A family of Waleys or Walsch is of Glamorganshire descent and was long seated at Llandaugh [Llandough] Castle, near St. Mary Church in the Vale of Glamorgan. The castle was described as a 14th century castle with a curtain wall still remaining today, and located at Ordinance Survey Point SS995730.
The family of Wallensis, or le Walsh, whose name speaks their foreign origin, were early settlers at Llandough by Cowbridge, where they built the Castle, and lie buried in the church there. One is mentioned in a document dated 1249: Adam le Walsh, Lord of Llandough. Some of that name found their way to Ireland with the Normans. The name Walsh can therefore claim local association.
On the eminence above the river Ddaw, a little west of the village of Llandough, are the remains of Llandough castle, the castellated mansion successively the residence of the Welsh families of Vychan and Walche. St. Mary church, dedicated to St. Dochdwy, is a small neat structure, and contains some ancient monuments; among which is one to the family of Walche, consisting of recumbent effigies of a male representative of that family and his lady. [source: A Topographical Dictionary of Wales, vol. 2; 1833]
Robert le Walsh (died 1362) is noted in the genealogies, of Llandaugh, and his daughter Joan married John Stodlegh.
One of the oldest established working farms in the Vale of Glamorgan is Ogmore Farm, although the present farmhouse dates from the 17th Century. A lease of the farm is known to one John Walsh as long ago as 1490.
It has been stated that in 1169 the Lords of Glamorgan joined the attack on Ireland. They included the various descendants of Nest ferch Rhys ap Tewdr the 'queen bee' of the Cambro-Norman swarm.
Walssh of Cardiff
In the year 1376 we find the name of William Walssh as listed in the Mayors of Cardiff and Constables of the Castle. William is also cited in this List of Officials (from Cardiff Records, Volume V, Chapter XII) as Recievor of Glamorgan and Morganwg. William is also listed in the Minister Accounts for this year, which are financial statements sent up to the Crown from the persons appointed to manage estates which had come into the King's hands on the death of the Lord without heir male, or under certain other circumstances.
Further Reference:
Descendants of Nesta.
Ancient Walsh Family Tree.
Walsh Coat of Arms.
Further Reading:
Gerald of Wales: The Norman Conquest of Ireland (12th Century).
Exploring Walsh Connection in Wales
Monday, 31-Dec-2007 14:18:09 MST
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