Origins John Russell (knight)

hugo de rosel , fictitious norman ancestor of russells of kingston russell invented , drawn le neve, york herald, in 1626. woburn abbey collection.

the parentage , ancestry of russell unknown, despite existence of historical writings , pedigrees contrary, considered fictitious. progeny has many centuries, due these pedigrees, erroneously been believed include russell dukes of bedford. result of generous patronage of dukes various elaborate , fanciful russell pedigrees produced, in order compliment , flatter duke s great status sought provide him ancestry stretching feudal barony , beyond. did unrelated , comparatively minor family of john russell of kingston russell fall attention of best funded heralds , genealogists through last few centuries, , great deal of research family undertaken , recorded. results , genealogical linkages not found or proved researchers invented them, in order justify funding , please patron. fanciful pedigree invented york herald le neve prepared edward russell, 3rd earl of bedford (died 1627), further embellished in regency era man of letters jeremiah wiffen (1792–1836), appointed in 1821 librarian @ woburn abbey john russell, 6th duke of bedford, 1833 work, containing part valuable research, historical memoirs of house of russell , in connecting duke s family of john russell s of kingston russell deliberately fictitious. wiffen s device invention of second marriage, consequent progeny, sir theobald russell (died 1341), great-grandson of john russell. deliberate genealogical fraud forensically described j. horace round, 1 of earliest of new breed of scientific genealogists, in 1901 article origin of russells .