[Illustration] This is a younger branch of the Gurneys of West
Barsham in this county, whose principal male line became extinct in
1661, West Barsham came from the heiress of Waunci about the reign
of Edward III. Previous to that time the Gurneys appear to have been
seated at Harpley, also in Norfolk, as early as 1206, and are traced
for two descents beyond that period, being (as there appears no
reason to doubt) descended from the great Norman baronial house of
the name. The present family may be said to have been refounded by
John Gurney, an eminent silk-merchant at Norwich, about 1670.
Keswick was purchased in 1747. The Gournays of Somersetshire,
represented by the Earls of Egmont, may have been a distinct family;
their arms were, Paly of six or and azure. Dugdale, however, gives
them a common ancestor with the former house. (Baronage, i. 429.)
See the "Records of the House of Gournay," privately printed, 4to.,
1848, and particularly, for the Norman origin of the family page 293
of that work. For the Gournays of Somersetshire, see the History of
the House of Ivery. London, 1742, vol. ii. p. 473,
ARMS.--_Argent, a cross engrailed gules, in the first quarter a
cinquefoil azure_.
Present Representative, Hudson Gurney, Esq.