The most illustrious member of this distinguished house says, in his Itinerary of Wales, that his family took their name from Barry Island in Glamorganshire, which they once owned. The first of the race who appears in this County was Odo de Barri, who, the records tell us, was dead in 1131. He came with the conquerors of what was to be the County Palatine of Pembroke, and received the lands of Manorbier for his share of the spoil. His son William, who took an active part in making local history, and who died before 1166, was twice married. By his first wife he had a son, Walter, who was killed in Wales, and by his second, Angharad, daughter of Gerald de Windsor by the famous Nesta, daughter of the Lord Ehys, three sons, Robert, Philip, and Gerald. This last alliance connected the De Barris not only with the powerful family of the Fitz Geralds, but also with the princes of the Welsh blood. Gerald, the youngest son, was born at Manorbier about 1147. After his active and troublous life he returned in his old age to his birth-place, which he has proclaimed to be the fairest spot in all Wales.