Alphonsus, Count de Ghesnes appears to be the earliest known ancestor of Robert de Vere, the Surety.

Count Aubrey, "Sanglier," married before 1139 Beatrice of Ghesnes, Countess of Ghesnes in her own right, and daughter of Henry, Count of Ghesnes, and his wife Sibylla Alberic possessed numerous lordships in different shires, of which Cheniston (now Kensington), co. Middlesex, was one, and Hedingham, co. Essex, where his castle was situated, and where he chiefly resided, another. Aubrey assumed the cowl in his later days, and died a monk in 1088; he was buried in the church of Colne Priory, which he founded. He was succeeded by his eldest son, Aubrey.