Ayres
Introduction
The Ayres family is a well-documented Romanichal (English Gypsy) lineage with deep roots in Southern England, particularly in counties like Surrey, Hampshire, Kent, Sussex, and Oxfordshire from the 18th century onwards. They were known as traditional hawkers, tinmen, and entertainers who used bowtop wagons, with many family lines recorded as traveling throughout the South Midlands.
Key Figures & Genealogy
Extensive research has been done on William Ayres (1806-1872), with researchers focusing on his ancestors and descendants who often married into other prominent Romanichal families such as the Smiths, Hearns, Grays, Loveridges, and Hortons.
Locations
The family frequented areas around Farnham, Surrey, and Hampshire, with significant recordings of baptisms and births in churches, such as St Martha on the Hill in Chilworth.
Notable History
A famous case study includes Samson Ayres, born "in a tent" in Farnham in 1843.
DNA Studies
The male lineage of the Ayres Romanichal family has been positively identified through DNA studies as having South Asian origins, specifically holding the H1a Y chromosome marker associated with Romani heritage.
Resources
Detailed genealogies are managed by organizations like the RTFHS (Romany and Traveller Family History Society).