| The
first use of the surname occurs in an early thirteenth century document:
although the deed is without date its approximate period can be estimated by
reference to the witnesses who are all members of the Vernon family. The charter
is a surrender by Gilbert Bostock of fishing rights in the river Dane in favour
of the Baron of Shipbook. It is quoted at the head of the pedigree drawn up in
the Visitation of Cheshire of 1580 underneath which is a drawing of a seal which
is supposed to be that of Sr
Gilberti de Bostocke; it shows an eagle displayed with its head, turned to
the right. Another early document to mention the surname is dated 1218. This
mentions Gilbert et Willielmo de Bostoc
filio suo, amongst witnesses to the grant of the manor of Marbury made by
Warren Vernon to his son William (later surnamed 'de Merebury'), one of the
witnesses mentioned in the last deed. Another may be a deed by which lands in
Tabley were given to Adam Dutton, for amongst the witnesses appears the
abbreviated name Gilb. B�to. This Gilbert, born circa 1180, is only mentioned in the pedigree quoted by Ormerod. The other versions of the family tree have either a Henry or an Arthur Bostock at this time, neither of whom appear in documentary sources. On 30th November 1233, a Gilbert Bostock was the plaintiff in a case, which was later dropped and he was amerced 12d for his trouble. Leycester is the only historian to mention an Arthur Bostock, whom he says married a Bridget, daughter of Humphrey Blundeville, but exactly who he or she were is not known. |
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| William, son of Gilbert Bostock, is a much more identifiable character for he occurs in a number of documents of the mid-thirteenth century. At some time when Philip d�Orreby was justiciar of Chester (1209-1229), William, said to be a grandson of Warren Bostock, acknowledged in the County Court, that he held his lands from Warren Vernon, baron of Shipbrook, by ploughing and shearing his lord�s demense lands. Ormerod, from whom this passage is quoted, suggests that this is a relic of villein tenure that seems to give some colour to the statement of the descent from the Saxon Osmer. In reality it does not, though it may indicate descent from one of the three radmen of Domesday. It is likely that William, probably aged about 21, was appearing in the court to prove his age and establish his right to inherit his father's lands and if this was towards the end of Orreby's term of office, William was born circa 1208. | |