It came into the possession of Sir William de Hertburn, and belonged to him at the time of the Boldon Book in 1183.

Soon after, he or his descendants took the name of De Wessyngton, and there they remained for two centuries, knights of the palatinate, holding their lands by a military tenure, fighting in all the wars, and taking part in tournaments with becoming splendor.

By the beginning of the fifteenth century the line of feudal knights of the palatinate was extinct, and the manor passed from the family by the marriage of Dionisia de Wessyngton.

But the main stock had in the mean time thrown out many offshoots, which had taken firm root in other parts and in many counties of England.

We hear of several who came in various ways to eminence.