It is as easy as it is wrong to assign a place of origin to a Conquest-era person  on the basis of the origin of his lord, especially if that lord had numerous tenants, and more especially if the descendants of that person had little or no association with those of the conjectured place of origin over the next five generations.  Such is the case of Robert d’Armentières, who was the vassal of Gilbert de Gand. He is likely to be of the family of Crispin, who held Armentières, Verneuil, the descendants of which, as Colville, had shared associations with those of Robert d’Armentières.

1. Rollo, one Scandinavian leader among several who vied for outright control of the relatively small amount of territory ceded to them, around Rouen, by Charles III., King of France.
1.1. William Longsword. ‘William first appears as the leader of the Normans in the year 933 (‘Willelmus, princeps Nordmannorum, eidem regi se committit; cui etiam rex dat terram Brittonum in ora maritima sitam).’ Flodoard, Annales, s.a. 933, 55; van Houts (2000, 45), having succeeded his father Rollo sometime in or after 928.
1.1.1. Richard I., ‘duke’ of Normandy, born 933, died November 20, 996.
1.1.1.1. Goisfred, born circa 958, died 1010, assassinated.
1.1.1.1.1. Gilbert de Brionne. He was named as ‘Gislebertus Brionensis Comes primi Ricardi Normannorum ducis nepos, ex filio Consule Godefrido’, in the foundation charter of Bec, circa 1034. He was born circa 980, and most modern historians state that he was assassinated in 1040 or 1041, after he had become tutor of the young Duke William.
1.1.1.1.1.1. Richard FitzGilbert (de Bienfait), s.l. 1088, from the town (St. Martin de Bienfait) of that name near Liseux, the caput of the Crispin family.
1.1.1.1.1.2. Glbert Crispin I. His sobriquet derives from OFr crespin, a derivative of crespe ‘curly’ – he had ‘capillos crispos et rigidos, atque sursum erectos, et ut ita dicam, rebursos ad modum pini ramorum, qui sepe tendunt sursum’. Hence the name of ‘Crispinus, quasi crispus pinus’ (Milo Crispin, How The Holy Virgin Appeared To William Crispin The Elder And On The Origin Of The Crispin Family, ed. Migne, cols. 735-744, 185). The same source notes that he was ‘of renowned origin and nobility’. (Probably illigitimate).
1.1.1.1.1.2.1. Gilbert Crispin II. He donated a moiety of Damville to Bec in 1070, a gift witnessed by Richard FitzGilbert (de Bienfait), ‘Ricardi filii Gisleberti comitis’. The heir of this line continued to be called Gilbert for several more generations; Gilbert VI. died at Acre before March 25, 1191.
1.1.1.1.1.2.2. William Crispin I.
1.1.1.1.1.2.2.1. William Crispin II.
1.1.1.1.1.2.2.1.1. Thomas de Coleville, my ancestor, m. Matilda d’Aubigny, probably a close relative of Roger (d’Aubigny) de Mowbray, his overlord. Thomas de Colville was witness to a gift of Roger de Mowbray I. (whose wife was the cousin of Alan de Percy II., and who was the overlord of Thomas de Colville, who had married Roger’s kinswoman) of land in Stainton which was confirmed by Henry II. (1155-1157). His testibus were Nigelo de Mowbrai (son), Roberto Capellano, Rogeri de Mowbrai (son), Roberto capellano de Helmeslac, fratre Waltero Ruffo de Templo, Roberto de Daivilla, Thoma de Colevilla, Radulfo de Belvere, Helia de Ferlinctuna, Thoma de Hamelduna. Thomas de Hameldun took his name from a range of hills known as Black Hambleton’ (William Farrer ed., EYC, vol. iii. Malet Fee, p. 453, repub. 2013). Thomas de Colville’s main residence was Coxwold, eighteen miles north of York, set just on the rise into the Hambleton Hills, with a view over to the ruins of Byland Abbey. Domes. Hameltun, Hameldun, or Hamelton Hill is a specific place in Nidderdale: In the Carta of Roger de Mowbray de recompensatione de Niderdala, in the Register of Fountains Abbey, fol. 148. 6., given in Dugdale, Throstle How is thus mentioned as a point on the boundary of Fountains Earth: ‘et sic usque ad Frostilde hou, et de Frostilde-hou usque ad Hameldon, et inde usque ad Dalhagha et totum Dalhagha (Dallowgill) et inde trans versnm moram deversus Scfoldene’. Thoma de Hamelduna was probably a younger son of Thomas de Colville, and was he who witnessed the Melrose charter as Thoma de Homeldun (probably c. 1175) with his son Roger de Homeldun, a later Melrose charter being witnessed by ‘Roberto de Hameldun’ (probable son of Roger) and his son ‘Rogero de Hameldun’, who witnessed the gift of Alan de Percy II. to Whitby of lands in Oxenham, given to him by Henry and Geoffrey de Percy, his brothers, their tenant in Hetoun being ‘Philippus de Colvill’. The interwoven nature of these associations is typical of the medieval kinship group, which gave patronage to those within. The earliest recorded Hamiltons in Scotland were probably of the Colville family, whose historic links to the Percys saw them established in Roxburghshire as both Colville and Hameldun.
1.1.1.1.1.2.2.1.1. Philip de Colville, held land in Thimbleby and Sigston, Yorkshire. At the end of the 12th century Bishop Hugh Pudsey granted the manors of Thimbleby, Ellerbeck and Foxton and Sigston to his seneschal Philip Colville
1.1.1.1.1.2.2.1.1.1. William de Colville, m. Maud d’Albini (Brito), dau. of Ralph d’Albini (Brito). William held one night’s fee of Robert de Gand in Lincs., husband of Gunnora d’Albini (Brito), Maud’s sister. Ralph d’Albini (Brito) was the uncle of William Albini I. (Brito), who m. Matilda, the dau. of Odonel de Umframville (grandfather of Gilbert de Umframville I.) whose family armorial was gules, 3 cinque foils or.
(1. Gilbert de Gand I, overlord of the Armentieres family of Whatton.
1.1. Hugh de Gand, m. Adeline de Beaumont, dau. of Robert de Beaumont, Count of Meulan, 1st Earl of Leicester.
1.1.1. Gilbert de Gand, 1st earl of Lincoln, obit. c. 1156, m. Rohese de Clare, dau. of Richard de Clare.
1.1.1.1. Alice de Gand, m. Simon III. de Senlis, son of Simon II. de Senlis, Earl of Huntingdon-Northampton, son of another namsake, of whom Robert d’Armentières held land.
1.1.1.2. Gunnora de Gand.
1.1.2. Robert de Gand, m. Gunnora de Albini Brito, dau. of Ralph de Albini Brito (English Baronies’, I. J. Sanders, OUP, 2nd ed, 1963); she m. (2), Nicholas de Stuteville. A sister of Gunnora de Albini Brito, Maud, m. William de Colville. William held one night’s fee of Robert de Gand in Lincs, his br.-in-law. William de Colville agreed to pay the king a fine of 20 mares and one palfrey, to have seisin of Normanton, Rutland, held in chief by the de Umfravilles. Ralph d’Albini (Brito) was the uncle of William Albini Brito I., who m. Matilda, the dau. of Odonel de Umframville, grandfather of Gilbert de Umframville I., whose family armorial was gules, 3 cinque foils or..
1.1.2.1. Gilbert de Gand, Earl of Lincoln, obit. 1241, father of Juliana de Gand, who m. Geoffrey d’Armentières, son of Henry d’Armentières).
1.1.1.1.1.2.2.1.1.1.1. William de Colville, m. Beatrice de Stuteville. Her sister, Alice de Stuteville, m. Roger de Merlay, son of Ralph de Merlay, Lord of Morpeth, Northumberland, and Juliana of Dunbar, dau. of Gospatric II. of Dunbar. Roger de Merlay and Alice de Stuteville had issue: Roger de Merlay, who m. Margery de Umframville, dau. of Richard Umframville, and sister of Gilbert de Umframville I. A sister of Juliana m. Gillbride, 2nd Earl of Angus, their son being Gilchrist of Angus, who m. Marjory of Scotland, dau. of Henry de Huntingdon, Earl of Northumberland and Huntingdon, and Ada de Warenne. Their dau. Beatrix of Angus, m. Sir Walter FitzAlan le Stewart, High Steward of Scotland. Gilbert de Umframville m. her sister, Maud.
1.1.1.1.1.2.2.1.1.1.1.1. Roger de Colville of Bytham Castle, Lincolnshire.(The clear relationship between himself and his Scottish cousins is given hereinafter).
1.1.1.1.1.2.2.1.1.1.1.1.1. Walter de Colville, m. Elizabeth d’ Albini Brito, of Aubourn and Counthorpe, Lincs., dau. of Odenel d’ Albini Brito, son of William d’Albini Brito I. and Matilda, dau of Odonel de Umframville. William d’Albini Brito’s sister, Maud d’ Albini Brito, m. Gilbert, 3rd Earl of Strathearn; their dau., Ethne de Strathearn, m. David de la Haye, 2nd Laird of Erroll; their son, Glbert de la Haye, 3rd Laird of Erroll, m. Idonea Comyn,* of Buchan, dau. of William de Comyn, 1st Earl of Buchan, and Margaret of Buchan, Countess Of Buchan. *Her brother, Alexander Comyn, had at least nine children with his wife, Elisabeth, dau. of Roger de Quincy, 2nd Earl of Winchester, including Elisabeth Comyn, who m. Gilbert de Umfraville II., 1st Earl of Angus. John Stewart of Bonkyl (cousin of Gilbert de Umframville II., was the father of Alan Stewart, and he of Elizabeth Stewart, who m. John de Hamilton, son of Walter FitzGilbert. Robert Bruce granted to Walter Fitz-Gilbert the whole tenement of Machan which belonged to John Comyn (nephew of Alexander). In 1320, Walter Fitz-Gilbert presented certain vestments, a chalice, two phials, and a censer of silver, to the altar of the Virgin in the crypts of the cathedral, reserving the use of them for the chapel of Saint Mary of Maychan at the four great feasts of Christmas, Easter, Whitsunday, and the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin, yearly (Origines Parochiales Scotiae, p. 107, 1851).
1.1.1.1.1.2.2.1.1.1.1.1.1.1. Gilbert de Colville, kin and vassal of the Umfraville lords of Redesdale. Gilbert probably inherited the Normanton lands of his father. Normanton was probably one of the berewicks of the king’s manor of ‘Hameldune’, and in 1183 the sheriff rendered account of 25s. 8d. from Normanton, held by Odinell de Umfraville. The Writs of Military Service show (1292) Gilbertus Coleville performing military service in Scotland ‘due from Gilbertus de Neville’, his Kinsman, through the Merlays.
1.1.1.1.1.2.2.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1. Walter FitzGilbert ‘de Hamilton’ first appears in January 10, 1295, as a witness to a charter by James, the High Steward of Scotland. Walter’s descendants bore gules, 3 cinque foils or.
1.1.1.1.1.2.1.2. Robert d’ Armentières, held Whatton of Gilbert de Gand.
1.1.1.1.1.2.1.2.1. William de Whatton, m. … de Newmarch.
1.1.1.1.1.2.1.2.1.1. Robert de Watton.
1.2.1.1. Adeline de Whatton, m. William de Heriz: ‘Adelina, the daughter and heir of Robert de Whatton, gave the Church of Whatton to the Abbey of Wellebek, to maintain hospitality thereof, for, the souls of her said father, her mother Beatrix, and William de Heriz her husband, who was living about 10 H. 2. c. but in 22 H. 2. (1176) his brother, Robert de Heriz, who was his heir, was amerced for trespassing on the Forest’ (Thoroton, v. i. 265). Donations to religious houses of William de Heriz and his wife do not mention any living issue. Reginaldus de Aslacton witnessed Adelina de Whatton’s deed, who by the consent of William de Heriz, her husband, gave to the Priory of Lenton, her two men or tenants, Hugh and Henry, with the three bovates of land they held in Aslacton, which gift she and her said husband offered on the high Altar of the Holy Trinity, at Lenton. These were her dower lands that her father held of Robert de Lacy.
1.1.1.1.1.2.1.2.1.2. Adam de Newmarch. It is claimed (CP ix. 543, citing Yorkshire Archæological Journal, vol. iv, p. 143, and Blythe cartulary, fo. 106) that Adam de Newmarch was the son of William de Watton, an unnamed son of his inheriting land from William de Newmarch, his uncle: Pipe Roll 31 Hen I (1129/30), Northumberland, p. 36., records ‘Wills de Waddona’ accounting for ‘fil suus’ having succeeded to the land of ‘Willi de Novo Mercato avunculi sui’ in Northumberland.
1.1.1.1.1.2.1.2.1.2.1. Adam de Newmarch, born c. 1146, benefactor of Roche Abbey, 1180. His brother, Henry, m. Denise de Tilli, daughter of Otes de Tilli.
1.1.1.1.1.2.1.2.1.2.1.1. Henry de Newmarch, who m. (2), in 1218, Frethesenta Paynel. ‘Henry de Novomercato, son of this Sir Adam, confirmed to that Abbey, all their lands and possessions they had in his fee in this Parish of Whatton’ (ibid. 266).
1.1.1.1.1.2.1.2.1.2.1.1.1. Adam de Newmarch. Chancellor ‘William de Hamilton holds a moiety from Adam de Nova Merchato and he from Tickhill’, c. 1285.
1.1.1.1.1.2.1.2.1.2.1.1.1.1. Margery de Newmarch, m. Jordan Foliot, son of Richard Foliot and Margery de Stutteville. 1264, The king has committed to Richard Folyot the manors of Adam de Novo Mercato of Womersley (‘son of Adam’) Campsall, Thorp’, Bentley and Archsey in Yorkshire, which the king took into his hand because he (Richard) captured him (Adam) while Adam was resisting the king in hostile manner in the conflict that recently took place at Northampton, to keep for as long as it pleases the king. Richard Foliot’s Yorkshire properties included Norton, near Campsall and Walden Stubbs (‘Stubbs’). The early manor house lay a little to the north of the vill of Walden Stubbs, in the parish of Womersley.
1.1.1.1.1.2.1.2.1.2.1.1.1.1.1. Richard Foliot, of Gressenhall and Weasenham, Norfolk, b. Dec. 25, 1283, died on the King’s service in Scotland between April 18 and July 23, 1317 (Rot. Pat. 10 Edward II., p.2, m. 20). He m. (1310) Joan, relict of James de Bohun, daughter of Sir William de Brewose, Lord of Bramber and Gower.
1.1.1.1.1.2.1.2.1.2.1.1.1.1.1.1. Margery Foliot, in 1330, had livery of her purparty of the lands of her grandmother, Margery de Newmarch.
1.1.1.1.1.2.1.2.1.2.1.1.1.1.1.2. Margaret Foliot (Inq. p.m. deceased brother, Richard Foliot, Edward II. file 93, no. 6).
1.1.1.1.1.2.1.2.1.2.1.1.1.2. Adam de Newmarch, (his lands being escheated in 1264) m. Cecily de Neville, desc. of Walter de Neville (1. Alexander de Crevequer, of Redbourne, co. Lincs.; obit. c. 1165; m. Amabel, daughter and coheiress of Adam FitzSwain, of Appleby, co. Lincs. 1.1. Cecily de Crevequer, heiress of Redbourne, obit. 1218; m. Walter de Neville). Aug. 30, 1291: ‘To the same Malcolm de Harle, escheator Grantham beyond Trent. Order to cause all the lands that Adam de Novo Mercato held of the king in chief as of the inheritance of Cecily, his wife, in Redburn, near Hilbaldestowe, which the escheator took into the king’s hands upon Adam’s death, to be relevied to Cecily until the next parliament, so that there may then be done what ought of right to be done’ (Hunter, South Yorkshire II: 228).
1.1.1.1.1.2.1.2.1.2.1.1.1.2.1.Roger de Newmarch, held land in Womersley.
1.1.1.1.1.2.1.2.1.2.1.1.1.2.1.1. John de Wormeley, ob. ante 1373, m. Eleanor Foliot, a likely grandaughter of William Foliot, uncle of Richard Foliot of Gressenhall and Weasenham, son of Jordan Foliot, who married Margery de Newmarch. Richard Foliot’s eldest daughter, Margery, in 1330, had livery of her purparty of the lands of her grandmother, Margery de Newmarch.
1.1.1.1.1.2.1.2.1.2.1.1.2. Robert de Newmarch, alias ‘domino Roberto de Wilmersly’ (Wormely).
1.1.1.1.1.2.1.2.1.2.1.1.2.1. Adam de Newmarch. Aug. 15, 1307: ‘Grant by Adam son of Robert de Novo Marcato to Adam de Pontefracto, of 1 1/2 acre in …, adjoining le Quarel flat on the north; 1 acre abbutting on the croft held by John Cokewald; 1/2 acre at ye Crownest; and 1 plot of land in Hepton, between Longrode and le Welclosys, late held by Michael de Deneby of Cecilia de Novo Mercato; at a rent of 12d. for the land within the bounds of Mirfield, and 2s. for the land within the bounds of Hepton. John de Sothyll, Sir Wm. de Beston, Knts., John de Lascy’ (A. S. Ellis, Yorkshire Deeds, YAJ, xii. p. 260).
1.1.1.1.1.2.1.2.1.2.1.1.2.1.1. Adam de Newmarch.
1.1.1.1.1.2.1.2.1.2.1.1.2.1.1.1. John de Newmarch.
1.1.1.1.1.2.1.2.1.2.1.1.2.1.1.1.1. Adam de Newmarch.The Chartulary of St. John, 484. c. 1280: ‘I, Adam de Newmarch, son of John de Newmarch*, for the good of my soul and of Joanna my wife, and of my father and all my ancestors and heirs, have granted to God and St. Mary and the Monastery and Cluniac monks of the York diocese, &c., the place of the blessed Nicholas of Cobcroft, with all its appurtenances … His testibus: domino Ricardo Foliot, domino Jordano Foliot, domino Roberto de Wilmersly, domino Umfrido de Vilers, militibus, Petro de Santona, Nicholas de Burtona, Petro de Giptona, et multis aliis’.

There were undoubtedly several families of Hamilton in Scotland, and those living of that name claim ancestry to one of these, but, whether the correct claim is made is problematic.

copyright m stanhope 2015