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Note: Thomas Preston, husbandman, who married an Ann Wallbank in Clapham Parish, Yorkshire on 23 September 1786 (LDS Film 0098551 Parish Reg. For Clapham 1595-1812)
From what I have found, the Preston name is of Norman origin, once again going back to Westmoreland County. The Norman origin dates back to the Vikings, who were allowed to settle in part of the Frankish Kingdom in present day France if they stopped their raids there. The Scandinavians soon intermingled with the Franks and Normandy (Land of the Norseman) came into being. Any student of history knows that in 1066, William the Conqueror, then King of Normandy, crossed the English Channel and defeated King Harold at Hastings. In 1170, the Normans were in Ireland. From then on, Normans played a major role in English and Irish history. Normans were said to have been of great physical size, generally, and were favored as dockworkers to unload ships, etc.
The Clapham parish records dont give the mothers name for baptisms but there is a Thomas son of Thomas Preston of Wood-Gill baptized on 2 August 1789. Our Thomas died in 1859 and the age and dates roughly fit. There is a Richard son of Thomas Preston of High-? (perhaps High-Grain) baptized 13 May 1787 that may be his brother. While not a firm confirmation, I think Ann Wallbank is the more likely choice over Elizabeth. There are lots of Wallbanks and Leemings in Clapham parish.
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