Monument record 584/0 - Southworth

The manor of Southworth was held by the lords of Makerfield. In the 13th C Gilbert de Croft held Southworth for a rent of 20s, but in 1212 it was in the king's hands. The manor was granted before 1219 to Gilbert son of Hugh de Croft, and taking the local surname, he became the founder of the Southworth family, which held the manors of Southworth and Croft until the 17th C. The manors of Middleton, Houghton and Arbury, adjoining Southworth were acquired and settled by junior branches of the family. In the 16th C the family were recusants and the manors and lands were sold early in the 17th C to Sir Thomas Ireland of Bewsey (1).

<1> Farrer W & Brownbill J, 1906-14, The Victoria County History of the County of Lancaster, 4/168-170 1911 (Book). SCH3636.