Historical antiquities, in two books the first treating in general of Great-Brettain and Ireland : the second containing particular remarks concerning Cheshire / faithfully collected out of authentick histories, old deeds, records, and evidences, by Sir Peter Leycester, Baronet ; whereunto is annexed a transcript of Doomsday-book, so far as it concerneth Cheshire, taken out of the original record.

Marbury.

THis Hamlet of Marbury comprehendeth onely the Mannor-House, with the De∣main-Lands thereunto belonging; and hath its Name from our two old English Words, [Mere] which signifies A great Lake or Pool, and [Birig] which signifies A House, or Place covered, and sometimes A Town: So Verstegan. And here denotes as much as A House or Dwelling by the Mere.

About the very beginning of Henry the Third's Reign, Warin Vernon Baron of Shib∣brok confirms this Hamlet to William de Merebirie, in these Words.—

GUarinus de Vernon Omnibus Amicis & hominibus suis, Clericis & Laicis, Francis & Anglis, tàm praesentibus quàm futuris, Salutem. Notum sit vobis me concessisse & hâc meâ praesenti Chartâ confirmâsse Willielmo de Merebiriâ totam Villam de Merebiriâ; Tenendam de me & Haeredibus meis, illi & Haeredibus suis, cùm omnibus pertinentiis suis, in Bosco, in Plano, in Pratis, in Pascuis, in Molendinis, in Vivariis, in Aquis, in Viis, in Se∣mitis, & in omnibus aliis locis, & in omnibus Libertatibus ad praedictam Villam de Merebiriâ pertinentibus, Haereditariè sicùt Ricardus Frater suus de Merebiriâ concessit & ei pèr Char∣tam

suam coràm nobis consirmavit, & sicùt Ranulphus de Merebiriâ Pater suus eam meliùs & liberiùs tenuit & habuit unquàm in vitâ suâ, liberè & honorificè, & eodem Servitio, sci∣licèt, pro sextâ parte Servitii unius Militis. Ut autèm haec nostra confirmatio futuris tempo∣ribus rata & inconcussa permaneat, eam Sigilli mei impressione coràm hiis Testibus confirma∣vi, Ricardo de Vernon & Matthaeo de Filio suo, Gilberto de Bostock & Willielmo Filio suo, Hu∣gone de Tiwâ, Hamone Briton, Matthaeo de Muneshull & Ricardo Fratre suo, Radulfo Filio Rogeri Dispensatoris & Willielmo Fratre suo, Willielmo Capellano de Shibbrok, & aliis multis.

A very fair Seal; In a Rondlet a Lion Rampant, written about thus,—SIGILL. WARINI DE VERNUN. The Original hereof remaining among the Evidences at Merbury, 1666.

From hence had this Family the Sir-name of Merbury, and seems to be originally a Vernon. Nothing more usual than in those Elder Ages to be stiled from the Places of their Habitation, which After-ages retained as Sir-names.

This Family hath continued in this Seat ever since, by the Name of the Merburies; and Thomas Merbury of Merbury Esq is now Owner thereof, 1666.

Out of this Family branched Randle Merbury in the Reign of Edward the First, whose Son Simon married Idonea Daughter and Heir of Thomas de Walton, from whom the Marburies of Walton in this Hundred were propagated. See more hereof in Walton.