WILLIAM FITZ-NIGEL, Baron of Halton, Constable of Cheshire, was by right of office ranked above all subjects of the Palatinate, next to the Earl of Chester. His son died issueless, but his female descendants continued in possession of his vast estates, till the daughter of the celebrated Henry de Lacy brought them to Thomas Earl of Lancaster, after whose attainder they merged in the Duchy of Lancaster.

With the father of this William, Nigel Fitz-lvon, came " five brothers," supposed to be his brothers, from whom descend the DUTTON'S, WARBURTON'S, HATTON'S, and other ancient Cheshire families, and from circumstances of tenure, united to similarity of arms, it appears probable that the LYMME'S and DANIELL'S were also of this noble stock

THE township of Over Tabley was held by William Fitz Nigell in the time of William the Conqueror (1066-87). We read in Doomsday book thus :-

Isdem Willielmus tenet Stabelei (Over Tabley): Leuuinus tenuit et liber (homo) fuit. Ibi III. pars unius hidae geldabilis. Terra est I. caruca. Wasta fuit, et est. Silva ibi dimidia leuva longa, et XL perticis lata. Valuit X solidos.

lsdem Willielmus tenet in ipsa villa I. bovatam terrae, et III.tia partem I. hidae geldabilem. Segrid et Ulsi tenuerunt pro II. maneriis, et liberi fuerunt. Terra est 1. caruca. Wasta fuit, et est. Tempore Regis Edwardi valebat VII. solidos.

But not long after the township of Over Tabley was certainly three distinct fees.

One third part of Over Tabley, Roger de Mainwaring gave to the monastery of St. Werburgh in Chester, in the reign of Henry the Second (1154-89) .

Probably, the Lacies, as heirs of Fitz-Nigel, first granted it out in parts, but it is certain that a Dutton, if not his descendants, held a fourth by direct gift of the lord paramount. From him one family, or both families, of the Tableys may have descended.

The following exact transcript of a Charter of about 1190 (1/2 Ric. I), shows the probable commencement of the partition :— 

The grant to Grey, mentioned by sir Peter Leycester, was probably by release, in or after 1292-3 (21 Edw. I) for in that year William fitz William de Tabbelegh grants to "John, Lord de Grey," for life, all his lands in Upper Tabley.

This third part came afterwards to William de Tabley, who gave the same to sir John Grey, son of sir Reginald Grey , and sir John granted it to Roger Leycester, lord of Nether Tabley, anno Domini 1296 which in all the offices of Leycester of Tabley is found to be held of the abbey of St. Werburgh and Leycester of Tabley was still possessed of this third part in 1666.

William de Tabley , above mentioned, "writ himself dominus de Tabley" (that is "de Over Tabley"), and sometimes "dominus de Knotsford" in the time of Edward I (1272-1307).

One other third part was possessed by Adam de Tabley in the reign of Edward the Third (1327-77), sir William Boydell being chief lord thereof :-

For William, son of John Boydell of Dodleston, releaseth unto Adam de Tabley all services due for his third part of Over Tabley, for one penny onely, to be paid at the Nativity of St. John Baptist yearly, for all service : dated at Dodleston, 1343-44 (17 Edw. III).

This Adam de Tabley Ormerod believed was originally a Massy as he sealed with Massy's coat of arms.

This third part came afterwards to Thomas Daniell, younger son of Thomas Daniell of Bradley, in Appleton, the elder, by Joan Norreys a second wife, in marriage with Katherine, daughter and heir of William, son of Adam de Tabley, 1353-54 (27 Edw. III) for which marriage Thomas Daniell the father gave to Adam de Tabley £46. 13s. 4d. By Katherine came also the moiety of Bexton to Thomas Daniell the son, her husband, who was afterwards sir Thomas Daniell of Over Tabley, 1382-83 (6 Ric. II), whose heirs were still possessed of this third part in 1666.

One other third part remaining, called The Hall of the Wood, in Over Tabley, was possessed anciently by another family of the Tableys, until Matthew de Tabley was attainted of felony, 1483 (23 Edw. IV), whose lands, by the office taken 1485-86 (1 Hen. VII) were found to be held of the honour of Halton, and so were seized into the king's hands. John Leycester of Nether Tabley, esq. excepted against that office of 1 Hen. VII complaining to the judges and chamberlain of Chester, and alledging, that these lands were held of him by homage and fealty, and twelve pence yearly rent and praying that he may be restored to these lands, as chief lord of the fee.But he had too potent a person to deal with. And king Henry the Seventh granted these lands to sir William Stanley, of Holt Castle, lord chamberlain (1485-86 1 Hen. VII., Inq. Matheus Tablegh nup de Ov'tabley, gentilmon. Outlawed for felony, before Thoma Dno Stanley , milit', Justic' Cestr', at Chester, die Martis px fest'. Sci Hlillarij 22 Edw. IV). but he (Thomas Stanley) being beheaded for treason, 1495 (10 Hen. VII), these lands escheated again to the king and Henry the Eighth leased them to Randle Brereton for his life, 1510-11 (2 Hen. VIII) . And after, Roger Brereton his son had them for his life. Afterwards these lands continuing in the king's hands, Robert Chornock and Roger Chornock of London, purchased the same, and sold them to Piers Leycester of Nether Tabley, esquire, for £240. whereof one moiety was paid in hand, and the other he gave bond for; but Peter Daniell of Over Tabley, esquire, purchasing these lands at £9. per annum in the king's books, the Chornocks purchased them after the rate of 18d. in the king's books, and cheated the said Piers Leycester by a fraudulent conveyance, so that he could not enjoy these lands. It was decreed in the court of Requests, 1559 (4 Maii, 1 Eliz I), that the Chornocks should restore the money which they had received, and deliver up the bond obligatory to be cancelled. And so Daniell had the lands, which his posterity still enjoyeth in 1666.