I think our family has a very tenuous link to a character called HALFDAN THE OLD who was born between 690 and 786, and died in 800. His descendents came over with William 1 ... and some of our Pomeroys came over with William ... so as I said, VERY tenous ! We may share about half a gene with the wonderfully named Halfdan !
I'm quite happy with my ag.lab's, Durham miners, Dorset button makers, and Hampshire house-maids. Everytime I weed my veg garden, I say a quiet 'Thank you' to Isaac, William, Samuel, Moses and John, those sons of the soil that resulted in me !!