7
Early History of the IRISH Family
The early ancestors of the IRISH family are believed to be French (Norman), the name originally being D’Ireys. The family moved to Germany, where the “D” was dropped, leaving the name Ireys. During the German wars, about the year 900, the Ireys family moved to England. The family was living in England before the Norman conquest by William the Conqueror in 1066, where they had long established themselves at Ireys, their family seat, in Dorset County, England. The name was changed to Iryshe, and one of the members of the family became Sheriff of London, holding that office for nine years. (Ref. 1 & 2)
1. Sir Adam de Ireys, born about 1070, was the earliest known ancestor. He accompanied Godfrey of Bouillon to the Holy Land on the First Crusade, and had an active part in the taking of Jerusalem in 1099. During the Crusade, he slew a Saracen leader of high rank, severing his head from his body by one blow of his sword. For his service in the Crusade, he was knighted and given the right to a Coat of Arms. Sir Adam was a member of the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem, which was organized about 1100, to care for the wounded soldiers at Jerusalem and other places in the Holy Land (Ref. 2)
“Adam de Ireys was with Godfrey de Bouillon at Aescalon”. (Ref. 3.) The battle of Aescalon, Southwest of Jerusalem, was fought in 1099 resulting in the Moslems being defeated by Godfrey of Bouillon. The first time the name appears in the “Domes Day Book” was during the reign of Henry I (1100-1135). Adam de Ireys is mentioned as a witness to certain land grants. (Ref. 1) Sir Adam de Ireys married Joan Stutville.
2. Hugh D’Iryshe, born about 1115, married Gertrude Tidial (Tiliol), of an ancient and noble family.
3. Edmund D’ryshe, born about 1150, accompanied Richard the Lion-Hearted on the Third Crusade (1189-1192) and died near Jerusalem. It was he who was awarded the St. Georges Cross which appears on the shield of the family Coat of Arms. Edmund married a daughter of Randolph Dudley of Yarwick, Warwick County.
There were three other traces of the IRISH line at this time:
1. Sir Geffery de Ireys, of Ireys, in the time of Henry II. 1154-1189).
2. Richard Iryshe (probably a close relative of Edmund), who also accompanied Richard the Lion-Hearted on the Third Crusade. (Ref. 1).
3. The transfer of one virgate of land from Thomas de Ireys to Robert Arundel, in the year 1206. (Ref. 7)
4. Stephen D’Iryshe, born about 1180, married Joan Dacre. They had two sons, Randolph and Roger. Randolph became Bishop of Carlisle (about 1220), then later died. Roger succeeded him as the Bishop.
5. Roger Iryshe, born about 1210. He was Bishop of Carlisle after his brother, Randolph died. Roger had a son, William.
6. William Iryshe, born about 1240; married Grace Hammer of Flintshire, North Wales.
7. Roger Irishe, born about 1270, and living in 1317, married Susannah Braithwaite, daughter of Sir John Braithwaite, of Unthank.
8. Adam Irishe, born about 1300, married Hester Copeland, daughter and heiress of Sir Robert Copeland of Berkeley, Staffordshire, Somerset County, and had two sons, – the older one being Richard.
9. Richard Irishe, born about 1330, married Margaret Broughton, daughter of John Broughton of Staffordshire.