lazoucheorigins.html

The elder Alan, was the first of the family to be established in England. He was the younger son of Galfridas Vicomes, Viscount of Parrhoet in Brittainy (d 1141). His elder brother was Count of Brittainy ( for a few years but with disputed title.

His Uncle, also named Alan was founder of the Viscounty of Rohan.

Alan de Parrhoet, or de la Zouch established himself in England under Henry II, (1154-1189) and married Adeliza or Alice de Belmeis, sole heiress of the House of Belmeis. Her inheritance included Tong Castle, Salop: Ashby ( afterwards Ashby de la Zouch ) Leicesterhire: North Molton, Devon: and other estates in Cambridgeshire and elsewhere.

Their sons, William de la Zouch (d 1199) and Roger de la Zouch (died 1238?) succeeded to these estates in turn.

Roger, in the first year of Henry II, 1189, received grants of the forfeited estates of his kinsmen, the Viscounts of Rohan. He died before November 3rd 1238.

In 1270 Zouch had a suit against Earl Warrene regarding a certain estate; During the trial on the 19 June, he was attacked by Warrene and seriously injured. His son Roger was wounded. He died on the 10 August and his son Roger received saisin of his estate.

Zouch married Elena (died 1296 ) daughter and co heir of Roger de Quincy, Earl Of Winchester. Their eldest son, Roger de la Zouch, married Ela, daughter of Emeline, Countess of Ulster.

For Full Details See:-

The Dictionary Of National Biography.P.1329

Burkes Domant And Extinct Peerages.Pp 566.598.599

Debrett's Illustrated Peerage 1970.PP 1171, 1172, 1173

In 1217 lands in four Counties, mainly Cambridgeshire, were acquired in exchange for land in Brittainy.

ORIGIN OF THE FAMILY ZOUCH

Modern authors give the interpretation of the French "souche"as the stump of a tree, probably referring to a place in Brittainy so identified. However another version from a book published c1880:

History Of Ashby de la Zouch

has this to say:-

Geoffrey settled in England during the reign of Henry II, and founded another family. He was called Geoffrey de la Zouch. The French 'Souche' means stock ( of a tree) and implies that he was the first of another stock.

This version seems to be rather more plausible than the modern version and could be the right one in view of the two names Parrhoet and Zouch or Zouche.

NOTE

From The Lady Of The Castle

While researching an older Pedigree of The House Of Bretagne, I noticed that King Hoel III of Bretagne married a lady by the name of Fratelle, daughter of Osouche, around 580AD. Could this also have a bearing on the matter?