De Meones family
The De Meones, or de Moenes, were an Anglo-Irish landowning and administrative family whose medieval estates gave their name to Rathmines in Dublin.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
The De Meones, also recorded as the de Moenes family, were an Anglo-Irish family with origins in East Meon in Hampshire. Their documented connection with Ireland began in the late thirteenth century, when William de Meones arrived from England in 1279–80 as a clerk in the entourage of John de Derlington, Archbishop of Dublin. William subsequently became closely involved in ecclesiastical and royal administration. After the archbishop's death in 1284, he acted as executor and defended a legal claim concerning expenses brought by Thomas de Chaddesworth, Dean of St Patrick's Cathedral. In 1311 he became Chief Baron of the Irish Exchequer and also served as keeper of the royal forest of Glencree in the Wicklow Mountains. William acquired substantial property in the Manor of St Sepulchre, a collection of manors covering a large part of what is now Dublin city. The family's estate was initially known as Meonesrath, a name that later developed into Rathmines. This place-name is the family's most enduring public legacy, connecting a medieval landholding family with a major modern Dublin suburb. Their interests also extended into County Meath and other areas south and west of Dublin. After William's death in 1325, his property passed to his nephew Gilbert de Meones. Gilbert was a professional soldier and held the constableships of several castles, including Arklow, Newcastle Mackynegan and Powerscourt. The family's standing in Dublin civic life was reflected in the careers of John de Meones, who served three times as Lord Mayor of Dublin in 1331–32, 1335–36 and 1337–38, and Robert de Meones, who held the mayoralty in 1351–52. The family also formed marriage links with other prominent Dublin families, notably the Le Decers. John de Meones was a maternal grandson of John Le Decer, who had himself served four times as Dublin's mayor between 1302 and 1326. The family's medieval history included members active in law, government and local administration. Nicholas de Meones, a son of Robert and nephew of Gilbert, became a judge of the Court of King's Bench in Ireland in 1374. His career was troubled: in 1378 he was arrested on allegations involving felony and treason and imprisoned in Dublin Castle, although he was soon released. He nevertheless remained a property holder and bought three houses on Winetavern Street in central Dublin. A second William de Meones was lord of the manor of Meonesrath in 1382 and was still living in 1399; he inherited Nicholas's estate in 1394. The family's holdings included land at Harold's Cross and a watermill on the River Dodder, which was then an important source of Dublin's drinking water. Their Winetavern Street houses were sold to the wealthy Passevaunt family during the 1390s. Other members continued to appear in public records. John Meones of Ratoath was appointed Keeper of the Peace for County Meath in 1382, while his son Robert Meones, recorded at Ratoath in 1407, served as a Crown official and received instructions to arrest an indicted felon and seize his property. In the sixteenth century, a third William de Meones received grants of land in South Dublin, including holdings at Cullenswood, now associated with Ranelagh, and at Ticknock in the foothills of the Dublin Mountains. The available account provides little information about the family's later generations. Accordingly, the De Meones are best understood not as a contemporary commercial brand but as a historical Anglo-Irish family whose landownership, civic offices, legal service and place-name legacy form the basis of its historical significance.
History
The De Meones family originated in East Meon, Hampshire, and established an Irish branch in the late thirteenth century. William de Meones arrived in Ireland in 1279–80 in the household of John de Derlington, Archbishop of Dublin. Following the archbishop's death in 1284, William acted as executor and became involved in a dispute over expenses claimed by Thomas de Chaddesworth, Dean of St Patrick's Cathedral. His later career combined ecclesiastical, financial and royal responsibilities: he became Chief Baron of the Irish Exchequer in 1311 and keeper of the royal forest of Glencree. William's acquisition of lands in the Manor of St Sepulchre gave the family a durable geographical legacy. The estates were first called Meonesrath and later Rathmines, the name now associated with the Dublin suburb. After William died in 1325, his nephew Gilbert inherited the property. Gilbert was a professional soldier and held responsibility for several castles, while other relatives became prominent in Dublin civic government. John de Meones served as Lord Mayor of Dublin three times, and Robert de Meones served once. Through marriage, the family connected with the Le Decers, another influential Dublin family. Nicholas de Meones, a later member of the family and nephew of Gilbert, was appointed to the Court of King's Bench in Ireland in 1374. His judicial career was interrupted by arrest and imprisonment in Dublin Castle in 1378 on allegations of felony and treason, though he was released soon afterward. He owned property in Dublin, including three houses on Winetavern Street. A later William de Meones held the manor of Meonesrath in the late fourteenth century and inherited Nicholas's estate in 1394. The family's property portfolio included land at Harold's Cross and a watermill on the River Dodder. Their Winetavern Street houses were sold during the 1390s to the Passevaunt family. The family also remained connected with County Meath: John Meones of Ratoath became Keeper of the Peace in 1382, and his son Robert was serving as a Crown official by 1407. During the 1520s and 1530s, another William de Meones received lands at Cullenswood, now part of Ranelagh, and at Ticknock in the Dublin Mountains. The surviving account gives limited information about subsequent generations, so the family's later continuity and eventual status remain uncertain.
- 1520
South Dublin land grants
[1]A third William de Meones received lands at Cullenswood and Ticknock during the 1520s and 1530s.
William de Meones arrives in Ireland
[1]William de Meones came from England to Ireland in 1279–80 as a clerk in the entourage of John de Derlington, Archbishop of Dublin.
William acts as the archbishop's executor
[1]After the death of Archbishop John de Derlington, William de Meones acted as executor and defended a legal claim concerning expenses associated with the archbishop's administration.
William becomes Chief Baron of the Irish Exchequer
[1]William de Meones entered one of the senior financial offices in the medieval Irish administration and also became keeper of Glencree royal forest.
Estate passes to Gilbert de Meones
[1]Following William's death, his property passed to his nephew Gilbert, a soldier and castle constable.
John de Meones begins service as Lord Mayor of Dublin
[1]John de Meones served as Lord Mayor of Dublin in 1331–32 and later held the office in 1335–36 and 1337–38.
Robert de Meones serves as Lord Mayor of Dublin
[1]Robert de Meones held Dublin's mayoralty in 1351–52.
Nicholas de Meones joins the Court of King's Bench
[1]Nicholas de Meones was appointed a judge of the Court of King's Bench in Ireland.
Family members hold public roles in Dublin and Meath
[1]A William de Meones was lord of Meonesrath, while John Meones of Ratoath became Keeper of the Peace for County Meath.
Nicholas's estate passes to William de Meones
[1]A later William de Meones inherited the estate of his cousin Nicholas, who had died that year.
Products and positioning
Historical Anglo-Irish family associated with medieval landholding, public office, legal administration and the place-name Rathmines.
Sources1 sources
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