Ancestry
The name Somervile is derived from a town near Caen in Normandy subsequently named Somervile.
The first of the Somerviles was Sir Gaulter de Somervile, who fought with William the Conqueror in England. He died at the end of the Eleventh Century and left three sons. William Somervile descended from the third son and was the last of the Somervile house in England. Their crest had inscribed on it, "The Woe Laird"
His family also includes other famous figures in Scottish history. One of his ancestors was named William de Somervile, who according to legend killed the last snake in Scotland. Also Philip of Whichnow, another ancestor, instituted the tradition of the Dunmow Flitch which is giving a gift of bacon to two people who have been married a year without having an argument. His son Sir Thomas joined William Wallace to fight for the freedom of Scotland. James Somervile served with the French and Venetian service and when he returned home he held the rank of lieutenant-colonel.
Read more about this topic: William Somervile
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