Three predominant Chamberlain families immigrated to America in the 1600s. These were the 1- Thomas, Edmond, William Chamberlain, presumably brothers; 2- Henry Chamberlain, known as the Black Smith, and 3- Richard Chamberlain of Braintree, MA.
Y-DNA tests show that these three families are unrelated. However, in my study of the Y-DNA data, I have found that in these three divergent lines of the Chamberlain family, at least two can be traced back to a single source. According to history, this might be the family of Lord Chamberlain to the Duke of Normandy and to King Henry I of England, William de Tancarville.
The origin of the Chamberlain surname
In January 1066, King Edward on his death bed granted the kingdom to Harold Godwinson, the head of a very powerful noble family in England. When the king died, Godwinson was proclaimed King Harold II. On the other side of the English channel, William Duke of Normandy was outraged.
Fifteen years earlier, William visited England and met with his cousin King Edward. According to Norman historians, the childless English King promised to make William his heir to the throne.
William was of Viking origin. The Vikings pillaged northern France in the late ninth and early tenth centuries. However, they eventually accepted that their territory of Normandy become part of France in exchange for peace. William and other Normans were descendants of these Scandinavian invaders. They grew up in Normandy loyal to the French kingdom.1
The Battle of Hastings 1066
On September 28, 1066, William, determined to have the promised throne, landed with thousands of troops and cavalry on Britain’s southeast coast. He seized the village of Pevensey. He then marched on to Hastings where he paused to organize his forces.
King Harold soon arrived near Hastings with his army. The day after his arrival, October 14, 1066, William led his forces in to battle. It ended in a decisive victory. Harold was shot in the eye with an arrow and died and his forces were destroyed. After his victory at Hastings, “William the Conqueror” marched on to London which submitted to his army. There, crowned on Christmas day in Westminster Abbey, he became the first Norman king of England.
William and other Normans spoke French which became the language of the king’s court. It gradually blended with the Anglo-Saxon tongue to give birth to modern English.1
Tancarville Castle, Normandy
One member of the King’s court was Count William de Tancarville of Tancarville Castle. His castle was built on a spur overlooking the Seine River in Normandy. He came with “William the Conqueror” to England. Though he returned to Normandy himself, his sons and descendants remained in England and occupied lands granted to them. William de Tancarville “is the progenitor of the Chamberlain family in England and America.”2
“John de Tancarville, son of the former Earl, was Lord Chamberlain to King Henry I”.2 Henry ruled England from 1100-1135. John “assumed his title as a surname. Richard, son of John, was also Chamberlain of King Steven and the surname Chamberlain has since his day been that of the family.”2
Famille de Tancarville
An English translation of a French record of the Tancarville family gives us a different version of the story. It is more detailed and therefore may be more accurate. It tells us that Guillaume de Tancarville (the French name for William) was the chamberlain to King Henry I.
Le Chateau Fort de la Tancrede, Picture from 1950s
Translation: “William I de Tancarville son of Raoul, chief chamberlain of Normandy and Angleterre. It seems certain that he was the chamberlain of Duke Robert Curthose, and his brother Henry Beauclerc, after his victory at the Battle of Tinchebray (1106). He was a close adviser to King Henry I of England.”3
When William the Conqueror died his oldest sons inherited the kingdom. Duke Robert Curthose ruled Nomandy and his brother William Rufus became King William II of England. Their younger brother, Henry Beauclerc, became King Henry I of England in 1100 when William II was killed in a hunting accident. Henry defeated his brother Robert for the control of Normandy in the Battle of Tinchabray.4
Rabel de Tancarville, the son of William, inherited the role of chamberlain of Normandy from his father. He refused to recognize Stephen as King of England for unknown reasons but quickly submitted. Therefore, apparently, King Steven confirmed him in his function as chamberlain.3
This French account gives us three successive chamberlains to the Duke of Normandy, Raoul, William and Rabel. The English chamberlains, John and Richard, are not mentioned in this report.
Do most Chamberlains descend from William de Tancarville?
About 100 living Chamberlain male descendants (mostly in the United States) were Y-DNA tested before 2011. Modern Chamberlain genealogist James Baldwin Parker concluded that the results of these tests “absolutely proves that there are more than a dozen Chamberlain ancestral lines in the States and elsewhere who are completely and totally unrelated to one another. Only one of them, if any, could be a Tankerville line.”5
The Y-DNA data shows that the Chamberlain families tested are very diverse. That is certainly true. However, I am not sure what this proves and what it does not prove. The data just hasn’t been studied thoroughly enough to come to any conclusions.
Therefore, I decided to examine the Y-DNA data. I would like to find answers to a couple of interesting questions: Are any of these diverse Chamberlains related in their paternal line? And, how many of these Chamberlain families, if any, can be linked to William de Tancarville and his family?
Y-DNA genetic analysis
We all have 23 pairs of chromosomes. We receive one set from our mother which is paired with another set we receive from our father. One of these pairs, the X and Y chromosomes, are sex chromosomes which determine gender. Those with two X chromosomes are female. While males always receive an X chromosome from his mother and a Y chromosome from his father.
23 pairs of chromosomes of the human genome
Mutations in genetic markers called STRs (short tandem repeats) are used to track genetic diversity in father to son generations
When a mutation occurs in the Y-chromosome, it will also be passed on to future male progeny giving that line its own trademark.
This information can be used for many purposes including the following:
1- To identify for an individual their own Chamberlain or non-Chamberlain paternal ancestor lineage.
2- To estimate the number of different ancestral lines that exist among Chamberlain families through out the world.
3- To trace known USA Chamberlain lineages to common ancestors and locations in England or other countries.
The Chamberlain Story now has its own Y-DNA research project. Join today!
Modern Chamberlain family groups
Twenty four males with Chamberlain surname were included in a Y-DNA analysis by the Chamberlain Association in 2003. Twelve of these entries were from the Thomas, Edmond, William (TEW) family. My brother, Ernest Martin Chamberlain, Jr., was included in this data. Our family ancestor in this article is identified as Spencer Chamberlain 1786-1853 (William).
Thirty-eight additional subjects were selected from an unsorted Chamberlain surname project FamilyTree DNA chart.6 I selected only entries that identified an ancestor and which tested 25 STRs. The STRs are identified in my report with numbers 1 through 25.
All 62 tests were evaluated and divided into families. I consider tests with 3 or less mutation differences to be the same family. There are 23 families. They usually had only 0-2 STR differences. After sorting, I assigned each family an identification letter, A through W. The Thomas Edmond William family (family A) was the largest with 18 individuals. The Spencer Chamberlain branch is A013.
Y-DNA Spread Sheet gives a brief ancestor description from all of the 62 Chamberlains who are organized into 23 familes. It shows the Y-DNA profile for 25 STRs for each individual. Also, genetic divergence (the average number of different STRs) is evaluated within the TEW family and also compared to to other families.
A key to identify the letter assigned to each family and the names of the 25 STRs is also given in the Y-DNA spread sheet.
A unique allele in Thomas, Edmond and William Chamberlain’s American family
The TEW family has a unique allele not found in any of the other 22 families, STR 21, allele 32. This may be very helpful in identifying relatives of the three brothers in England and other countries.
In my own family line, one mutation occurred in one of the nine generations between William Chamberlain and Ernest M. Chamberlain, Jr. (STR 24, allele 17) This could help us identify close relatives in the United States on our paternal line.
Finding the Y-DNA profile of the common paternal ancestor (CPA) of related families
Some individuals tested from the TEW family have no changes in their STRs. In other words, they have the same Y-DNA profile as their common paternal ancestor (CPA), Thomas, Edmond or William. Variance from the CPA was 0, 1 or 2 for each of the 18 individuals tested. The average divergence score through the generations since the brothers emigrated to America was 1. The average mutations in the Henry Chamberlain family from their common male ancestor was 1.8. 
It is helpful to know the most likely Y-DNA profile of the CPA of various groups of related families. The likely profile was calculated for each group by counting and selecting the majority allele in each of the 25 STRs. In a case where there is an equal number, either choice will result in the same score. Example: In STR 12, in B- Henry above, if either allele 17, 26 or 27 is chosen for the CPA, the average will still be 1.8.
My goal is to separate out all families unrelated to the paternal line of William de Tancarville. This should lower the divergence average as much as it is possible. When all unrelated families are removed, the common paternal ancestor profile should be very similar to that of William de Tancarville.
Separating out unrelated families
Some families will not be related to the Tancarvilles on the paternal line. In many cases, lines directly descending from the Tancarvilles may have passed on the surname though a female relative, or through an adopted male heir. Therefore, the Chamberlain name was passed on, but an unrelated Y-DNA family was formed Also, some unrelated families may have independently assumed the name of Chamberlain.
To separate the unrelated paternal lines, my first thought was to match the STRs of each family with those of all other families. Their scores, averaged and sorted, might separate related from unrelated families. If these differences were great enough, I thought, two distinct normal (bell curve) populations would be formed.
In the diagram below, each of the 23 families is represented by a letter. The number of different STRs between each family is presented. The averages when sorted ranged from 9.5 to 19.2. (A key to family identification for each letter is found in Y-DNA Spread Sheet)
Charting the distribution of the average scores shows a definite separation of three families from the other 20. I then checked the average number of mutations from the estimated profile of their common paternal ancestor (CPA) for the remaining 20 families.
The average number of mutations from the common paternal ancestor is now 6.8. This is down from the 8.3 average for all 23 families, but it is still much too high. Generations from William de Tancarville to the present should be approximately 2.5 times that of the early American immigrants. Therefore, compared to the average of TEW or Henry reported previously, the Tancarville average should be between about 2.5 and 4.5.
Another diagram was designed to visually observe how close or how far each family is related to every other family. Letters assigned to the various families are shown at the end of the diagram. Each family is compared to every other family. Low scores on the scale of 5 to 15 show families that are likely related. High scores show which families can not be related.
Observation of this diagram shows that seven families C, D, M, P, Q, R and S are completely unrelated. All of the families were sorted and the unrelated families (non color coded letters) appear on the bottom third of the chart. This lower third of the diagram shows that none of these families (uncolored letters) are found in the green (likely related) section, but many letters are deep in the orange and red (not related section).
The seven unrelated families were removed and a CPA Y-DNA analysis was done on the remaining 13 families.
Analysis of the 13 remaining families lowered the average to 5.5. However, this is still too high. Further observation of the spread diagram shows that in the 13 families, there are two independent groups.
Group 1 contains families A, B, E, F, N and W. These, after sorting, were placed in the top third of the diagram and colored blue. Fourteen of the “blue” families are in the “likely related” section when compared with other “blue” families. However, there are sixteen “yellow” but no “blue” families which fall in the orange “probably not related” section of the chart.
On the other hand, Group 2 “yellow” families show that 18 are “likely related” to other “yellow” families. While no “yellow” families, but 15 “blue” families, are “probably not related” to other “yellow” families. Families G, H, I, J, K, L and O are in Group 2. (Key to family identification for each letter is in Y-DNA Spread Sheet)
Separating the two groups of unrelated families again lowered the average mutation changes from the CPA. The CPA Y-DNA analysis for Group 1 average was 4.5, and for Group 2 it was 4.7.
Conclusions
Sixty-two Chamberlain males tested for their Y-DNA analysis were grouped into 23 families. Members of the three American families who immigrated in the 1600s have three or less STR changes in their Y-DNA profile.
Ten of the 23 families, C, D, M, P, Q, R, S, T, U and V are completely unrelated in their paternal line, based on their Y-DNA profile. However, it is highly likely that two groups of paternal families originated at about the time of the chamberlains of Normandy and England.
Thirteen of the families form two unrelated groups. Group 1, families are A, B, E, F, N and W; and Group 2, families are G, H, I, J, K, L and O. Both of these groups have one family with ancestor ties to France. (Group 1 family W, and Group 2 family J) Y-DNA data shows that family members of one, but not both, of these groups could be the direct line father-to-son descendants of William de Tancarville. (Learn about your paternal line with Y-DNA Analysis by FamilyTreeDNA)
Hereditary Office of Chamberlain
The family of Tancarville was of Norman stock, of likely Scandinavian decent, originating from the Viking Tancredus (fr. Tancrède). Tancrede was a companion of Rollo in the Norman conquest of northern France. His progeny was closely tied to the royal family and became the hereditary Chamberlain’s of Normandy and of England. The family was known as being, “in the highest ranks of the Anglo-Norman aristocracy, the lords of Tancarville”7 Tancrede founded and gave his name to the castle fort built on a cliff overlooking the Seine.
Tancarville Castle
Raoul fitz Gerald le Chamberlain (c. 1008- c. 1080) was the son of Gerald II and Helisende. His was the earliest known use of the patronymic “FitzGerald”. Raoul was an Officer of Duke Robert the Magnificent and commanded his fleet in 1029. Duke Robert placed his young son William in the trusted care of the Chamberlain’s household. Thereby, William (the future conqueror of England), was nourished, protected and educated in the skills of knighthood while in their gaurdianship.8
Guillaume I de Tancarville (c. 1045-1129) “le Chamberlain de Normandie et England”. Guillaume, son of Raoul and Avice, was the first to use the Tancarville name. He may be better known by the English version of his name – William de Tancarville.
Rabel de Tancarville (c. 1080-1140) “le Chamberlain de Normandie et England”. Son of Guillaume I and Maude d’Arques. Rabel de Tancarville remained the only chamberlain-in-chief of Normandy and England until Henry I of England created a separate hereditary office for England in 1133,9 and entrusted it to Aubrey (II) of Vere and his heirs.10
A second family held the office of Chamberlain
Aubrey de Vere II (c. 1085 – May 1141) was the eldest surviving son of Aubrey de Vere and his wife Beatrice. He may have been Norman, possibly from the region of Ver in the Cotentin peninsula of western Normandy.
Aubrey II served as one of the king’s chamberlains under Kings Henry I and Stephen. In June 1133 King Henry I awarded the office of Master Chamberlain to Aubrey and his heirs. His eldest son, Aubrey de Vere III, later was made Earl of Oxford. His descendants held that office and title which in later centuries was known as Lord Great Chamberlain until the extinction of the Vere male line in 1703.11
The ten known children of Aubrey II and his wife Adeliza include five sons and five daughters. It is unknown if any of these families took on the surname of Chamberlain.
Château De Tancarville – A Story Of Heritage In Danger
The website Normandy Then and Now recently published an article about the sad condition and need for restoration of the Chateau De Tancarville.
“The story of the château cannot be over, but now while it has stalled the buildings deteriorate and ancient carvings are lost. There are no longer open days, once hosted by the passionate local historical association. Doors are padlocked.”
“Château de Tancarville was registered as an historic monument in 1862. Pierre Bortolussi, architect from the department of Historic Monuments is still waiting to hear from any firms employed to undertake the renovations.”
“We look forward to the day when we match our postcard of château de Tancarville and tell the full history of this fascinating place.“12
An ancient abandoned complex, viewed through padlocked gates, will chateau de Tancarville survive to open again?
TCS Surname Y-DNA Research Project
The Chamberlain Story is interested in data on the all versions of Chamberlain and other surnames including: Chamberlain, Chamberlin, Chamberlaine, Chamberlayne, Chamberland, Chamblin, Shamblin.
The following surnames may also be related: FitzGerald, Vere, De Vere, Tankersville or Tancarsville. Or any name if you have reason to believe your genetic paternal line may be Chamberlain.
I am also interested in the surname Izatt from my maternal line.
Please let me know if you have done a Y-DNA test on any of these surnames!
Links:
Any surname is welcome to take the FamilyTreeDNA Y-DNA test. FamilyTreeDNA lab.
Key to identification of the 23 families for letters A through W: Y-DNA Spread Sheet
Summary Page 3- Other DNA studies
Thank you! Dennis Chamberlain
© Copyright Dennis D. Chamberlain, All rights reserved. The Chamberlain Story, 2019.
References:
1- https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/the-battle-of-hastings
2- William Richard Cutter, A.M., Genealogical and Personal Memoirs Relating to the Families of B & EM. Volume II, Lewis Histories Publishing Co., New York 1908, pp.780-81.
3-https://www.geni.com/projects/Early-Norman-Families-de-Tancerville/1473
4- King Henry I of England, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_I_of_England
5- James Baldwin Parker, John Count of TANKERVILLE, Castle, Normandy, France, Message Boards www.ancestry.co.uk
6- https://www.familytreedna.com/groups/chamberlain/about/background
7- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tancarville_family, J. C. Holt, Colonial England 1066-1217.
8- Abid, Jacques Le Maho, Nicolas Wasylyszyn; Saint-Georges de Boscherville, 2000 ans, 1998, p. 12.
9- Abid, The Complete Peerage, vol. X, Appendix F, p. 53-55.
10- Abid, Geoffrey H. White, « Financial Administration under Henry I » Transactions of the Royal Historical Society, Fourth Series, vol. 8 (1925), p. 56-78.
11- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aubrey_de_Vere_II, Cokayne, George: “The Complete Peerage”, v. 10. St. Catherine Press, 1910–58.
12- http://www.normandythenandnow.com/the-footballers-and-forgotten-chateau-de-tancarville-a-story-of-heritage-in-danger/