Much has been written over the years about this William le Hore. We simply attempt to collect the writings as documentary evidence of all the lore but then let others draw their own conclusions. Many family historians, through the years, have claimed linkage to William le Hore, the Pole Hores and the Devon Risford Manor Hore's. Oft repeating the same stories passed down from others transcriptions. We reference those stories here without further credence given to their authenticity. The DNA testing may be able to sort some of this out but likely not.
The lore goes that a William le Hore was one of the conquering Norman knights under William the Conqueror. And was later tasked to accompany Richard "Strongbow" de Clare to retake Ireland for the deposed King there. In return, William le Hore was given lands in Ireland. And presumably this is the source of the Pole Hore family of Wexford County, Ireland. Of course, it was King Henry II in rule when they retook Ireland. So likely a generation or so in between an initial and final William here. William is mentioned in the Doomsday book and the earliest reference to the Hore surname. No areas of Wales near Pembroke are found in the modern day images of this historic book.
The seal of William le Hore, which adorns this website as its logo, was found near Clogerhead, County Louth, in NorthWest Ireland near the coast. Not the location of the Pole Hore's in Wexford. In fact, the opposite end of the Strongbow controlled lands. But found 700+ years later so ...
Note: it is possible that this seal and ring can be attributed to William le Hore, supposed son of Thomas le Hore, circa 12xx. Thomas founded the Hore lines in Wexford County (Harperstown and Pole Hore). The Thomas le Hore, earliest known ancestor in the Irish clan, could be a descendant just a generation or so away of the famed WIlliam le Hore that came from Wales.
This seal and the references in the doomsday book about William le Hore are the oldest known uses of the surname or any of its variations. Many historic documents on families regurgitate the lore of this William and simply claim, without any strong evidence, linkage to him. The crest of the double breasted eagle is attributed to have started with him.
The lore goes that a William le Hore was one of the conquering Norman knights under William the Conqueror. And was later tasked to accompany Richard "Strongbow" de Clare to retake Ireland for the deposed King there. In return, William le Hore was given lands in Ireland. And presumably this is the source of the Pole Hore family of Wexford County, Ireland. Of course, it was King Henry II in rule when they retook Ireland. So likely a generation or so in between an initial and final William here. William is mentioned in the Doomsday book and the earliest reference to the Hore surname. No areas of Wales near Pembroke are found in the modern day images of this historic book.
The Seal
The seal of William le Hore, which adorns this website as its logo, was found near Clogerhead, County Louth, in NorthWest Ireland near the coast. Not the location of the Pole Hore's in Wexford. In fact, the opposite end of the Strongbow controlled lands. But found 700+ years later so ...
Note: it is possible that this seal and ring can be attributed to William le Hore, supposed son of Thomas le Hore, circa 12xx. Thomas founded the Hore lines in Wexford County (Harperstown and Pole Hore). The Thomas le Hore, earliest known ancestor in the Irish clan, could be a descendant just a generation or so away of the famed WIlliam le Hore that came from Wales.
This seal and the references in the doomsday book about William le Hore are the oldest known uses of the surname or any of its variations. Many historic documents on families regurgitate the lore of this William and simply claim, without any strong evidence, linkage to him. The crest of the double breasted eagle is attributed to have started with him.
Researchers and Descendants (current)
Although many claim their family is a branch from William, none have strong enough evidence to warrant their inclusion here. Instead, we simply list no lines tied to William and provide the bibliography of reference material to let others draw their own conclusions.| Researcher | GenDB | Website | Lineage |
Books and Articles
- Burke, John, A Genealogical and Heraldic History of the Commoners of Great Britain and Ireland : Enjoying Territorial Possessions on High Official Rank; But Uninvested with Heritable Honours. Vol. 4, 1838, London, Henry Colburn (publisher), p712-719
External Links
- Malcolm's Seal Images — our source of the seal images from our co-admin Malcolm Hoare
- Doomsday Book — an open source project making the complete book available online, transcribed, and indexed.
External Links on Strongbow and related items
- Library of Ireland article on Richard "Strongbow" de Clare
- Wikipedia entries for Norman Invasion of Ireland and Richard de Clare
- Patrick Abbot's former "IrelandStory.com" website section on Strongbow. A layman's effort but with helpful summarizing maps.