THE BERESFORD STORY

Origins of the Beresford Family

Where does the Beresford story begin ?

 

The story of the Beresford family reaches back many centuries, with its earliest documented connections centred on Beresford Dale in Derbyshire.

THE BEGINNING

Bereseford Dale
The historical home of the Beresford family was at Beresford Dale, near Hartington in Derbyshire, beside the River Dove.

The earliest confirmed document currently known to mention the family name refers to Hugh de Beveresford, who witnessed a legal document in 1228.

Our current research has focussed on adding census records for the UK as they have been opened to public viewing.

We use out resources to help Society members conduct their own research.

We continue with the aim of adding as many Members as possible to the Family Pedigree and continue to tell the Beresford Family Story

1228

First confirmed reference

Hugh de Beveresford is recorded in a legal document.

1232

Early researchers suggested

that John de Beresford had Norman and Viking connections.

1087

An intriguing possibility

17th century heraldic reference to John Beresford — fascinating, but unconfirmed.

The 1087 reference

a Herald from the College of Arms who was commissioned by the family to draw up its pedigree in 1621. The Herald drew up a list of the family deeds and on them noted that the earliest Beresford deed related to John and Christopher Beresford

Fact or Possibility ?

“2 Octob 1 W2 1087 Johes Beresford fuit scit de Manerio de Beresford…”

However, as no documentary evidence has survived (and eminent historians disagree about its authenticity) we cannot confirm that a John Beresford existed in 1087.

Beresford Hall and Dale

A lost home overlooking the River Dove

  • There is considerable information about the history of the Beresford Estate and Hall (now demolished) including drawings of its plan, elevations and sketches of its interior. The tower on the estate, which stands high above the deep gorge of the river Dove still commands magnificent views over the Peak District National Park.

St Edmund’s Church, Fenny Bentley
Another important chapter in the Beresford Story

  • A few miles south, of Beresford Dale, lies the village of Fenny Bentley. At nearby Newton Grange was another Beresford home, while in the Church of St Edmund lies the remarkable shrouded tomb of Thomas and Agnes Beresford.
  • Many Members of the Beresford Family Society trace their Ancestry to this branch

The Church
records the lives of Beresfords who lived There

  • Stained Glass Windows depict members of the Beresford family
  • Memorial Plaques commemorate descendants of the family
  • Parish Registers (stored in Matlock) record many of the key moments in the lives of individuals
  • Churchyard memorials ensure that lives are not forgotten

From Derbyshire to the World

The Beresford family continued to grow
The centuries that follow see produced an increasingly diverse record of Beresford families and descendants, including the important Irish branch, where the current Head of the family resides at Curraghmore House

Connecting the Family Tree

  • Your family could be part of the bigger story
  • Pedigree charts the Society has recorded nearly 30,000 individuals and placed them in Family Trees
  • Parish Registers are part of our collected resource
  • Early deeds and wills are an important asset in helping make these connections. The Society has access to 100s of translated documents

One Name, many Spellings

In earlier centuries, names were often written to how they sounded rather than according to a standardised spelling.

Some individuals have records which show as many as 5 variants of the name.

The Story continues

The origins of the Beresford family are still being researched.
Your discoveries, family trees and memories can help preserve
the story for future generations.