Historical appendix documenting the medieval England transformation from FitzUrse to Barham lineage
Comprehensive Genealogical Documentation
The surname Barham is of Anglo-Saxon origin, deriving from the Old English words "bær" (barley) and "ham" (homestead, farm), essentially meaning "the barley farm." It is a topographical surname that was given to individuals who lived on or near a barley farm.
The earliest recorded mentions of the name come from the Domesday Book of 1086, where a settlement called "Barham" is mentioned in both Kent and Suffolk. The family name would have been taken from these place names by people who lived in or originated from these locations.
"The parish of Barham in Kent takes its name from the extensive barley cultivation that flourished there during the medieval period. The surname was initially 'de Barham,' indicating a person from Barham." — Notes on the Name and Family of Barham, 1924
Historically, the Barham family name was most prevalent in the counties of Kent, Sussex, and Suffolk in England. Variant spellings include Barrham, Berham, and occasionally Bareham, which emerged through dialectal differences and changing pronunciation over centuries.
The presence of Barhams in America dates to the early colonial period, with records of individuals bearing the name appearing in Virginia as early as the 1630s, and later spreading to the Carolinas, Georgia, and further westward.
Katherine Filmer was born in 1597 in East Sutton, Kent, England. She was the daughter of Sir Edward Filmer, Knight of East Sutton, and Elizabeth Argall. The Filmers were a prominent family in Kent, with Sir Edward serving as High Sheriff of Kent in 1615 under King James I. Katherine married Robert Barham, establishing the important Filmer-Barham connection that would contribute significant influence to subsequent generations.
Sir Edward was knighted by King James I in 1605. He served as High Sheriff of Kent in 1615 and was a prominent landowner in the county. His estate at East Sutton Place became the family seat for generations.
Daughter of Richard Argall, Esquire, of East Sutton. Her brother Sir Samuel Argall served as Deputy Governor of Virginia (1617-1619) and was a notable explorer who captured Pocahontas in 1613.
A notable relative in the Filmer line, Dame Elizabeth was known for her religious devotion and charitable works during the English Civil War period. She maintained the family's high social standing during the turbulent time.
One of the most fascinating connections in the Barham family history is the link to Sibyl of Falaise, who was referred to as the niece of King Henry I of England. Through careful genealogical research, we can trace this royal ancestry through several generations.
Sibyl of Falaise was born in Normandy, France in the late 11th century. While historical records refer to her as the niece of King Henry I, she is commonly believed to be his illegitimate daughter. King Henry I holds the record for an English monarch with the most acknowledged illegitimate children (at least 20), and Sibyl is widely considered to be among them, though she was publicly acknowledged as his niece for political reasons.
"Notes about SYBILLA de FALAISE: Sybil was referred to as the niece of Henry I of England but is commonly believed to have been his illegitimate daughter." — Historical Records of Norman Aristocracy, Oxford University Press
Through this connection to Sibyl of Falaise and King Henry I, the Barham family can trace a distant lineage to the Plantagenet royal house. While this connection is several generations removed, it represents a fascinating link to medieval English royalty and demonstrates how aristocratic blood often diffused through various branches of noble families over centuries.
The presence of this royal connection, while distant, helps explain certain privileges and positions that were later granted to Barham family members in subsequent centuries, particularly their land holdings in Kent and their periodic appointments to local offices of significance.
Captain Charles Barham, Gent., son of Robert Barham and Katherine Filmer, was born in Kent, England in 1711. As a young man, he served in the British Royal Navy, rising to the rank of Captain through distinguished service. After his military career, he settled in Westmoreland County, Virginia, establishing a significant branch of the Barham family in America.
Charles married Mary Elizabeth Gouldman in 1735, and together they had six children. His naval connections and family standing helped him secure substantial land grants in the American colonies, where he cultivated tobacco and other crops, becoming a man of considerable wealth and influence in Virginia society.
Charles Barham born to Robert Barham and Katherine Filmer in Kent, England.
Received commission as Lieutenant in the British Royal Navy at age 18.
Married into the prominent Gouldman family of Virginia, establishing important colonial connections.
Promoted to Captain in the Royal Navy after service in the War of Jenkins' Ear.
Established permanent residence in Westmoreland County, Virginia, acquiring substantial landholdings.
Died at age 73, leaving significant estate to his children who continued to expand the family's influence in Virginia and later into Kentucky and Tennessee.
The following documents represent key primary sources that have been instrumental in reconstructing the Barham family history:
Contains baptismal, marriage, and burial records for multiple generations of Filmers and Barhams, including the marriage record of Robert Barham and Katherine Filmer.
Detailed will and testament mentioning his daughter Katherine and her husband Robert Barham, confirming the connection between the families and indicating property bequeathed to them.
Documentation of Charles Barham's naval career, including commissions, promotions, and ships served aboard.
Records of land grants to Charles Barham in Westmoreland County, Virginia, detailing acreage and boundary descriptions.
These scholarly works have provided valuable context and analysis:
Early scholarly treatment of the Barham family history, compiled by historian Thomas Barham and published privately in London.
By John Frederick Dorman, containing valuable information on Elizabeth Argall and her marriage into the Filmer family.
Three-volume work by William Carter Stubbs and Douglas Southall Freeman, including a chapter on the Barham family's establishment in Virginia.