Waleran the Hunter


Waleran the Hunter was an Anglo-Norman magnate who held 51 manors as recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, including Whaddon in Wiltshire and several in Hampshire, including West Dean, within the New Forest. His Latin name as recorded in the Domesday Book, Venator, suggests that he was a hunt-official of that royal forest. Little else is known about him.

Descendants

His descendants assumed the surname Waleran, and Waldron one of the descendants in a junior line of which was Robert Walerand, Justiciar to King Henry III. The senior line of the family retained the manor of West Dean until the death of Walter Waleran, who left three daughters and co-heiresses: