Of Welsh Descent

For those of Welsh descent, the English surname system has its origin with the Act of Union.   Many surnames appear around, and after, this Act was put into affect.  The following figure presents the impact on the JONES surname as it appears in the "List of Early Chancery Proceedings" preserved in the Public Record Office, England.

It was after 1544 that the JONES surname starts to appear in the legal records.  By 1558, the surname peaks and begins to climb again after 1650.  Other surnames from Welsh families had the same origin.  The next figure demonstrates how different surnames came into existence.

In each case, the individuals shared a common ancestor [Thomas].  Each "son" in the Welsh naming system would become "Richard ap Thomas", "Edward ap Thomas", "John ap Thomas", and "David ap Thomas".   When the Act of Union took affect [1536 - 1542], "Peter ap Richard ap Thomas" became "Peter Richards", and "David ap Edward ap Thomas" became "David Edwards".   Any who were the "son of a John" became "JONES".   On and on it would go.  After several generations of  different surnames, the family often lost their Welsh connections.  So, a different surname took a distinctive branch along the family tree although they shared a common grandfather.  For the genealogist, this process is important in recognizing that today, those who share the same surname, may not be related at all.

Duties and Offices (39)

The Act of Union finishes from post (38)....

"c23. Item, that all Mayors, Sheriffs, Stewards, Bailiffs, and other ministers and officers of justice of every county, lordship, town and place within the said dominion of Wales and all and singular the king's subjects of the same shall be always obedient attendant and assisting to the said President Council and Justices of Wales, and every of them, and shall obey the King's commandments and process from them or any of them directed, and all the reasonable and lawful precepts of the said President, Council, and Justices, and every of them, and also shall be obedient to all the said Justices of Peace, Sheriffs, and Escheators within the limits of their said authorities, as well for common administration and due execution of justice as in all other things appertaining to their duties and offices."

This ends the Act of Union as recorded in English Historical Documents 1485 - 1558, edited by C.H. Williams, 1967.  The following is a copy of the front sheet to this document...thanks.

Any additions or comments please post in the comment section.

Sheriffs (38)

The Act of Union 1536 continues from post (37)...

"c22. Item, that there shall be Sheriffs in every of the said shires yearly appointed by the King's Majesty; and that none of the said Sheriffs shall have their said office of sheriffwick any longer time than is used by the laws and statutes of England..."

The term "Sheriff" is thought to have its origin in the Anglo-Saxon hundred.  Manorial administration, within each hundred, was handled by a man called the "reeve".  He was chosen from and by the folks in the manor (villeinage), and held this position for one year.  Thus he become the "shires' reeve".  A full discussion of this can be found in Origins of The Common Law, by Arthur R. Hogue, pp.126-129.

Justices of Peace (37)

The Act of Union 1536 continues from post (36)...

"c21. Item, over and besides the said President and Council, and Justices there shall be Justices of Peace and Quorum, and also Custos Rotulorum in every of the said twelve shires.:

At the age of 14 years an individual could choose their own guardian.  This court would deal with guardianship issues that were being questioned.

Power and Authority (36)

The Act of Union continues from post (35)...

"c6. Item, that every of the said Justices of Wales shall have power and authority to enquire of all treasons, murders, felonies, riots, routs, unlawful assemblies, extortions, embraceries, maintenances, retainers, concealments, contemps, and all other offences and evil deeds, of what natures, names or qualities soever they be, done, committed or perpetrated within the limits of their commissions and authorities, against the form of the Common Law of the realm of England, or of any statutes of the same, and to hear and determine the premisses, and every of them, and generally to minister common justice to all and singular the king's subjects within the limits of their commissions and authorities, according to the laws, statutes, and customs of the realm of England, and according to this present ordinance."

Justices (35)

The Act of Union 1536 continues from post (34)...

"c5. That every of the said Justices within the limits of their commissions and authorities to them appointed as is aforesaid, shall hold all manner of pleas of the crown at and in the said Sessions, in as large and ample manner as the King's Chief Justices of the King's Bench there, or any of them, may do in their places, or elsewhere within the realm of England; and also to hold pleas of assises, and all other pleas and actions real, personal, and mixed, in as large and ample manner as the King's Chief Justice of the Common Place in England, and other Justices of the same Place, or any of them, may do in the realm of England."

Sessions (34)

The Act of Union continues from post (33)...

"c4. Item, that there shall be holden and kept Sessions twice in every year in every of the said shires in the said dominion and principality of Wales, that is to say, in the shires of Glamorgan, Brecknock, Radnor, Caermarthen, Pembroke, Cardigan, Montgomery, Denbigh, Flint, Merioneth and Anglesey; the which sessions shall be called the King's great Sessions in Wales."