The manor of Brent Pelham was held by the de Sarneres family from at least 1181, but in the early 13th century passed to the family of Chamberlayn (Camerarius) which (it is surmised) may have been descended from the Sarneres but had acquired a new surname in right of an office held by one of them (see VCH , Herts, IV, 95-6).