17th century Bristol

Just as DNA transmits generationally, so did surnames of association, with families repeatedly intermarrying with each other, and retaining peripheral associations they held in common (the basis of the English kinship system). The following 60 names are associated with Harris families in Virginia. They are predominantly of Bristol Basin origin, comprising of the counties of Gloucester and Somerset; their epicentre being Bristol, the port from which these migrants sailed, and from which they hoped to prosper by engaging in its trade in Virginia tobacco.

Each name can be considered as a ‘marker’, and the more that can be proven to be associated with Harris families circa 1750-1770, the more it is likely that such families were descendants of the original Harris settlers of the previous century. Some ‘markers’ are obviously more significant in terms of genealogy than others, and give clues as to particular Harris families of origin (of the same stock).

It is a matter of choice as to what constitutes a significant number of ‘markers’, but mid-17th century families of Harris which do not have any or little connection to those listed are unlikely to be related to the earlier settlers.

Similar tests can be designed for any early settler family. They are as ‘certain’ as any DNA test, and have the advantage of being free.

SURNAMES OF ASSOCIATION

Applewhaite

Barcroft Barham Bechinoe Bennett Blake Bland Bolting Bracewell Brantley Bressie Bridger

Carter Cary Cogan Comer Counsell Cripps

Davis Driver

Edwards England

Fenn Floyd Flake Fulgham

Gardner Gwaltney Goodrich

Hardy Herring Hicks Hill Hobbs Hodges Hole

Izzard

Kay/Key

Joyner Judkins

Millard Monger Moore

Owen

Pardoe Piland Pitt Pittman Proctor

Ridley

Seward Simes Skinner

Thorp Tibbits Tomlin Tooke Tucker Turner

White

Bristol channel floods, 1607

copyright m stanhope 2019