De Meones family
The De Meones family were an Anglo-Irish family who originated in Hampshire. They moved to Ireland in the thirteenth century, became substantial landowners in Dublin, and gave their name to the suburb of Rathmines.
The family came from East Meon in Hampshire. A de Meones moved to Ireland in 1279–80 in the entourage of John de Derlington, Archbishop of Dublin. This was probably the first family member of note, William de Meones, who became Chief Baron of the Irish Exchequer in 1311. He acquired lands in the Manor of St. Sepulchre which became known first as Meonesrath, and later as Rathmines i.e. the Rath of de Meones.
William died in 1325 and his property passed to a relative, Gilbert de Meones, who was a soldier. John de Meones was Lord Mayor of Dublin in 1331-2 and 1337-8 and Robert de Meones held the same office in 1351-2. Nicholas de Meones was appointed a judge of the Court of King's Bench in 1374. In 1382 a second William de Meones was Lord of Meonesrath. The family also held lands at Harold's Cross and operated a mill on the River Dodder.
