The creation of Trafford: In April 1016, King Cnut Sweynson of Norway and his army swept North-West across Wessex.

In 1129, Trafford's grandson married de Massey's granddaughter merging the two manors and their extensive land holdings.

Hamo had been named the Baron of Dunham, seated at Dunham-Massey Hall in 1066, located about 4 miles from Trafford Manor.

Sir Hugh d’Avranches, the 1st Norman Earl of Cheshire was the maternal-nephew of King William and cousin of Hamo.

"In the bitter cold winter of 1069-70, north-east of Stockport, d’Avranch destroyed Chester, the second major city of the north, with its ancient trade links to Dublin.

In 1080, Radulphus received the peace, pardon and protection on behalf of King William, from Sir Hamon de Massey.

Radulphus was also awarded the lands of Wulfnoth Godwinson, the younger brother of the rebellious Saxon Earl Godwin.

Ralph was awarded the manors and townships of Foxdenton and Chatterton in Lancashire for services rendered to King William II.

This son died in 1408, the manors going to his brother Edmund, known as the Alchemist, from his having procured a licence from the king in 1446 authorizing him to transmute metals.

Siding with the king on the outbreak of the English Civil War, he was seized and imprisoned by Roundheads and his estates were sequestered.

In 1653 Sir Cecil begged leave to transact under the Recusants Act relating to the sequestered two-thirds of his estates.

His eldest son Edmund died twenty years later, and was followed by a brother Humphrey, who was accused of participation in the fictitious plot of 1694, and sympathized with the rising of 1715.

During this time, owing to the laws concerning religion, all offices of state were closed to Catholics, who had therefore to dwell quietly on their estates.

[1] The family's prospects improved after the Catholic Emancipation, and in 1841 John Trafford was created a Baronet by Queen Victoria.

Upon the escutcheon, which is charged with his badge of Ulster as a Baronet, is placed a helmet befitting his degree, with a Mantling gules and argent; and for his Crest, upon a wreath of the colours, a thresher proper, his hat and coat per pale argent and gules, his breeches and stockings of the third and second, holding in both hands a flail or, uplifted over a garb on the dexter side, and over the crest upon an escroll the Motto, "Now Thus"; and below the arms the Motto "Gripe Griffin, Hold Fast".