Ranulphus, a noble Norman in the train of William the Conqueror, one of the soldiers of fortune, who acquired as their share of the spoil, the county of Chester, had, for his immediate division, fifteen lordships there, amongst which was Peore (afterwards Over-Peover). His son and heir, Richard de Mesnilwaren, was ancestor of William Mainwaring, of Over Peover. [John Burke, Extinct and Dormant Baronetcies of England, Ireland, and Scotland, 2nd Edition, Scott, Webster, and Geary, London, 1841, p. 334]