First JONES to Inner Temple 1556

The Knight Templars were the origin of what became called "The Temple". The name had its roots from the fact that the initial knights were quartet in Jerusalem near the sight of "Solomon's Temple". In 1128, they were given the name "Regle du Temple" by the Pope, and this order spread rapidly throughout Europe. The oldest charter found in England for this Order is under Henry II (1153 AD) and he is responsible for many grants of property. It was in Chancery Lane, on the site of Southampton House, that the Knights Templars were settled in the London area.

The figure to the right is taken from the text by Hugh Bellot titled: The Temple, By Hugh H.L. Bellot, Methuen & Co., London, first published in 1914. It shows The Temple area as it existed in 1900, with its gardens facing the Thames. Both the "Inner Temple" and "Middle Temple" were considered "Inns of Court". The four Inns of Court were active by 1425, and the "Inner Temple Admissions Database" [http://www.innertemple.org.uk/archive ] list the first JONES admission to the "Inner Temple" being Walter Jones, 03/11/1556. There were a total of 60 folks having the surname JONES being admitted between 1547 and 1850. What a deal!

It is also of interest to note that in the Calendar of Inner Temple (Records, Vol. I) 21 Hen VII - 45 Eliz. 1505 - 1603, p. 205 is listed the following:

Parliament held of 10 May, 2 Elizabeth, A.D. 1560. before Anthony Stapleton, Thomas Gawdy, James Renet, George Bromely, & Richard Onslow:

"order that Master Jones shall have Master Wylliam's general admission, due for his readership."

Here, a "Master Jones" was a reader (teacher) as early as 1560, but a full name is not given. Anyone know more about this "Master Jones"?

Helpful references:

Bellot, H.H., The Temple, Methuen & Co. LTD., London, 1914. [Map is copied from inside the front cover.]

Megarry, R., Inns Ancient and Modern, Selden Society, London, 1972.

Prest, W.R., The Rise of The Barristers, A Social History of The English Bar 1590-1640, Clarendon Press, Oxford, 1986.

Prest, W.R., The Inns of Court under Elizabeth and the Early Stuarts, 1590-1640, Rowman and Littlefield, Totowa, NJ,.

First JONES To Gray's Inn 1568

From the reign of Edward III, 1327-1377 AD, the "Inns of Court" have occupied a key position in the educational system of the English nation. Devoted to the technical study of English law, (rather than Roman law), which had become extensive and intricate. This system of law had its roots in the native or common law of the land.

The earliest "Manor House" of Gray's Inn was the London residence of the De Gray family. This family had strong ties with Wales, ever since Reginald de Grey was Justiciar of Chester around 1277 AD. Their legal interest lead many of the family to live and work here, ultimately forming the "Honourable Society of Gray's Inn."

The "Register of Admissions Gray's Inn, 1521-1889", by Joseph Foster, records the first to carry the JONES surname 1568. On page 37, this records that Thomas Jones (folio 574) and Owen Jones(folio 576) were registered. For my own JONES family interest, on the same page are recorded 1) George Lightfoot (folio 573) 1576, and Thomas Lucas (folio 574) 1567. The surnames Lightfoot and Lucas were to play an important part in my own JONES family history.

Way to go...Thomas and Owen...taking the surname JONES to Gray's Inn.