AUVRAI D'ESPAGNE.

From Espagne, near Pont-Audemer. In 1080 Gautier d'Espagne was a witness to a charter in favour of Saint-Evroult by Raoul de Toeni, and may have been Raoul's uncle, viz. the brother of Roger de Toeni, surnamed d'Espagne. Gautier's sons, Herve and Alured (Auvrai) d'Espagne, occur in England, 1086 (Domesday). The latter was a great baron and appears as tenant in-chief in Devonshire Wiltshire, Dorsetshire, Somersetshire, Herefordshire and Gloucestershire. Twenty-two of his lordships were in Somersetshire, and he was also an under-tenant in Wiltshire, Somersetshire and Gloucestershire. His male line became extinct with Isabella, probably his daughter and eventual heiress, who married Robert de Chandos I. Richard de Demeri held of him at Isle Brewers Somerset (Domesday). From Herve descended the Spains of Essex, who who long continued to flourish. Dives records Richard, Auvrai and Herve d'Espagne.

--(This name appears on the Falaise Roll).