Somerville Family History

According to Sir James Somerville, an earlier family historian (who wrote an abridged edition of William Somerville's, "A Memorie of the Somervilles"—circa late 1600's), the Somervilles were divided into three houses according to the country in which they were very influential.

• The English House
was influential in England from the time of William the Conqueror until the signing of the Magna Carta (about 200 years later). King John didn't like the Somerville influence in that event and the Scottish House eclipsed that of their southern cousins.

• The Scottish House
was born of myth and legend as the founder of that house was rewarded a whole shire for killing a dragon (this same dragon appears atop the shield of Lord Somerville). This house flourished for over 500 years and collapsed through a series of "over indulgences" by one Gilbert Somerville and others.

• The Irish House
came about through the canny management of one or two families who survived the exile of the Jacobites and became businessmen and land holders. Edith Somerville wrote of Irish life in this period through her book, "One Being Irish". The fortunes of this house rises and falls and sends Somervilles far and wide.

Source:
http://www.clansomerville.net/house_info.php