Cambro-Norman
Encyclopedia
Cambro-Norman is a term used for Norman
knights who settled in southern Wales
after the Norman conquest of England
in 1066. Some historians suggest that the term is to be preferred to Anglo-Norman
for the Normans who invaded Ireland
after 1170 — many of whom originated in Wales. However, the term is anachronistic. Contemporary Irish accounts of this period simply called the incomers as Saxain, which means "English".
The most prominent example is Richard "Strongbow" de Clare
, whose lands in Wales centred around Pembroke
and who led the Norman invasion of Ireland
.
In addition to such Cambro-Norman lords, some of Ireland's most prominent families, including Walsh, Joyce and Griffith
, were indigenous Welsh families who came with the Norman invasion. Other indigenous Welsh surnames such as Taaffe
which came at this time became very important families within the Pale
community.
However, probably the most well known Cambro-Norman surname, also called Hiberno-Norman
, is FitzGerald
. See Maurice FitzGerald, Lord of Lanstephan
.
Normans
The Normans were the people who gave their name to Normandy, a region in northern France. They were descended from Norse Viking conquerors of the territory and the native population of Frankish and Gallo-Roman stock...
knights who settled in southern Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
after the Norman conquest of England
Norman conquest of England
The Norman conquest of England began on 28 September 1066 with the invasion of England by William, Duke of Normandy. William became known as William the Conqueror after his victory at the Battle of Hastings on 14 October 1066, defeating King Harold II of England...
in 1066. Some historians suggest that the term is to be preferred to Anglo-Norman
Anglo-Norman
The Anglo-Normans were mainly the descendants of the Normans who ruled England following the Norman conquest by William the Conqueror in 1066. A small number of Normans were already settled in England prior to the conquest...
for the Normans who invaded Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
after 1170 — many of whom originated in Wales. However, the term is anachronistic. Contemporary Irish accounts of this period simply called the incomers as Saxain, which means "English".
The most prominent example is Richard "Strongbow" de Clare
Richard de Clare, 2nd Earl of Pembroke
Richard de Clare, 2nd Earl of Pembroke , Lord of Leinster, Justiciar of Ireland . Like his father, he was also commonly known as Strongbow...
, whose lands in Wales centred around Pembroke
Pembroke, Pembrokeshire
Pembroke is an historic settlement and former county town of Pembrokeshire in west Wales. The town and the county derive their name from that of the cantref of Penfro: Pen = "head" or "end", and bro = "region", "country", "land", and so it means essentially "Land's End".-History:The main point of...
and who led the Norman invasion of Ireland
Norman Invasion of Ireland
The Norman invasion of Ireland was a two-stage process, which began on 1 May 1169 when a force of loosely associated Norman knights landed near Bannow, County Wexford...
.
In addition to such Cambro-Norman lords, some of Ireland's most prominent families, including Walsh, Joyce and Griffith
Griffith (surname)
Griffith is a surname of Welsh origin which derives from the given name Gruffudd. The prefix Griff may mean "strong grip" and the suffix, udd, means "chief"/"lord". The earliest recorded example of the surname was "Gryffyth" in 1295, but the given name is older...
, were indigenous Welsh families who came with the Norman invasion. Other indigenous Welsh surnames such as Taaffe
Viscount Taaffe
The title Viscount Taaffe, of Corren, was created in the Peerage of Ireland in 1628, together with the subsidiary title Baron Ballymote. From the 18th century onwards, the Viscounts Taaffe also held the title Count Taaffe in the Holy Roman Empire...
which came at this time became very important families within the Pale
The Pale
The Pale or the English Pale , was the part of Ireland that was directly under the control of the English government in the late Middle Ages. It had reduced by the late 15th century to an area along the east coast stretching from Dalkey, south of Dublin, to the garrison town of Dundalk...
community.
However, probably the most well known Cambro-Norman surname, also called Hiberno-Norman
Hiberno-Norman
The Hiberno-Normans are those Norman lords who settled in Ireland who admitted little if any real fealty to the Anglo-Norman settlers in England, and who soon began to interact and intermarry with the Gaelic nobility of Ireland. The term embraces both their origins as a distinct community with...
, is FitzGerald
FitzGerald
The surname FitzGerald is a translation of the French-Norman fils de Gérald, or son of Gerald . Variant spellings include Fitz-Gerald and the modern Fitzgerald. The name can also be used as two separate words Fitz Gerald...
. See Maurice FitzGerald, Lord of Lanstephan
Maurice FitzGerald, Lord of Lanstephan
Maurice FitzGerald, Lord of Maynooth, Naas, and Llanstephan) was a major figure in the Norman invasion of Ireland....
.
See also
- Italo-NormanItalo-NormanThe Italo-Normans, or Siculo-Normans when referring to Sicily, were the Italian-born descendants of the first Norman conquerors to travel to the southern Italy in the first half of the eleventh century...
- Anglo-NormanAnglo-NormanThe Anglo-Normans were mainly the descendants of the Normans who ruled England following the Norman conquest by William the Conqueror in 1066. A small number of Normans were already settled in England prior to the conquest...
- Scoto-NormanScoto-NormanThe term Scoto-Norman is used to described people, families, institutions and archaeological artifacts that are partly Scottish and partly Norman...
- Hiberno-NormanHiberno-NormanThe Hiberno-Normans are those Norman lords who settled in Ireland who admitted little if any real fealty to the Anglo-Norman settlers in England, and who soon began to interact and intermarry with the Gaelic nobility of Ireland. The term embraces both their origins as a distinct community with...