From "The Borough of Stoke-upon-Trent" By John Ward
Sir William de Mere was Lord of Norton in the 19th year of Edward II. It was afterwards divided between the Barons of Stafford and Audley.
"The family name of Meare has been kept up in Norton until recent times (circa 1840's), and a principal estate now belonging to Alfred Hales, Esq., of Norton-Green House, was formerly the property and residence of his maternal grandfather, Mr Richard Meare."
It wouldn't surprise me if William Meare of Norton and William Meare of Penkhull were the same person. They may have owned land all around the Potteries