Elis III was son and heir of Elis II (who became a monk in Gloucester Abbey), by Berta (living 1167), sister of Walter de Clifford, of Clifford and Glasbury, and daughter of Richard fitz Ponce. In 1130 Elis II rendered account of 100 marks of silver for the relief of his father's lands, being son and heir of Elis I, by Ala, his wife. Before 1096 Elis I had succeeded his father Osbern Giffard, the Domesday tenant of Brimpsfield, Stoke, Rockhampton, Elston, Orcheston, etc. [Complete Peerage V:639 note (c)]