The Vokes family are a well associated Limerick family, with the first record of Edward Vokes living in Limerick in 1703. With suggested French connections from the De Vaux family whose name they changed to Vokes, the family quickly made a name for themselves in business and law.  Through successful marriages the family also inherited land and property but their main pursuit has always been as merchants. The research below is mostly from third party research. 

The following genealogy descent line from William Vokes, Thomas Vokes, Andrew Vokes, Thomas Vokes to Harriet Vokes. 

Edward Vokes had a brother, William Vokes, born in London married Martha in 1704, Children: 

Thomas Vokes (NV) (Barrister at Law) marries Elizabeth Barker, daughter of Sir William Barker, England, Limerick.  Lived Cragbeg Estate. William Ponsonby Barker held estates in four counties in the 19th century. The Barkers acquired their Kilcooley Abbey estate, county Tipperary, through the marriage of Elizabeth Alexander and William Barker in the late 17th century. William Barker was granted over 3,300 acres in the barony of Pubblebrien, county Limerick in 1667 and over 1,300 acres in county Tipperary in 1678. He was also an estate of over 6,000 acres in county Down at this time. He was created a baronet in 1676. Sir William Barker, 3rd Baronet, married Mary, daughter of Valentine Quin of Adare, county Limerick and it was their grandson, Chambré Brabazon Ponsonby, who inherited the Barker estates and assumed the name Barker.

Sir William's father, also Sir William Barker was embroiled in a major land fraud case that first began in 1665 when following a meeting at the Kings Palace at Hampton's Court, London, Thomas Ormand (Lord Ormond) the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland was informed of a great land fraud concerning 15,555 acres that centred around Sir William Barker who was illegally in possession of the land. The case went on for many years effecting the property of Barker both in Ireland and England to which he lost.  His son, Sir William continued on the case, attempting to buy back the lands which they always stated were legally theirs.  He was successful, however he was outbid by Thomas Ivers.  Barker held the lands in the barony of Pubblebrien as the family had held since the Cromwellian period.  A PDF file is available for further reading on this 17th century land fraud case.

It was though the marriage of Thomas Vokes and Elizabeth Barker that the Vokes are associated with Cragbeg Estate, Limerick, however it is their son, Thomas Vokes "the younger" who may have been the first Vokes to live there following his marriage to Susanna Philips in January 1767, however this branch of the Vokes family were associated with the Legal Industry. The Cragbeg Estate has an imposing four story mansion, however the Vokes lost title to the estate in 1816, however may have kept a small portion of it becoming known as Kilcolman.

Children of Thomas and Elizabeth:  

i Simon Vokes (NV) B. 1737. Married Margaret Clarke, in 1768. 

ii Thomas Vokes (NV) (The Younger) B. 1745. Marries Susanna Philips in 1767. Children: 

Thomas Philips Vokes (NV)of Kilcolman, Limerick, who marries Susanna Brew, daughter of Richard Brew and Frances Maria Chartres, Co. Clare on the 12th of August 1806. [See Brew Family Page]. Susanna Brew Vokes dies the following year in 1807. 

Rebecca Vokes who marries three times; Samuel Young (1801), Francis Sargent (1810) and Henry Woodburn (1818) 

iii John Vokes (NV) B. 1749. D.1794, merchant, Limerick. 

iv Andrew Vokes (V) B. 1752. D. 1837, Shoe Maker. Marries Elizabeth Wilson, daughter of Richard Wilson. Lived at Ballinacurra Hart. The Wilson family were prominent in Limerick and associated with estates such as Springfield, Mount Ivers and Belvoir in County Clare. Richard Wilson, surveyor, marries Mary Harte, cousin of Sir Richard Harte in November of 1759. Their daughter, Elizabeth marries Andrew Vokes and their eldest son, Richard marries Frances Trousdell in 1788, whose son, Samuel Wilson owned the Shoe and Boot business at 122 O'Connell Street which later passed to his nephew John Wilson Vokes, who he passed to his nephew William Wilson Vokes, a brother to Harriett Vokes Heaphy.

Children of Andrew and Elizabeth:  

John Wilson Vokes B.1794, the inheritor of the Shoe and Boot Business, 122 George's Street, Limerick. John Wilson Vokes died in 1858, aged 64, buried Vokes Vault, Mungret.  

Thomas Vokes, (V) (1787 - 1861), marries Mary Delmege (1793 - 1845) of Adare in 1813. The Delmege family were a French family who settled in Rathkeale in the 18th century and successfully acquired a large amount of property. Towards the end of the 18th century, their main residence was at Castle Park, near Limerick city. Aside from owning multiple holdings through out Limerick, they also held land in Bunratty lower in Co. Clare, in Co. Cork and Galway. Thomas Vokes's first cousin was also Thomas Vokes, who became Chief Magistrate of Police for Limerick City and County and his nephew, Henry Woodburn Jnr became Governor of Limerick City and County Jail. Thomas Vokes, the Chief Magistrate was also subject of a book written on him called "Recollections of an Irish Police Magistrate", written by Henry Addison.

Children of Thomas and Mary: 

• Henry Thomas Vokes Also known as Henry Wilson Vokes was married twice with children.  Married (First) to Caroline Sterling, daughter of Henry Sterling (Watch maker) on the 20 October 1850, St. Munchins COI, Limerick. Caroline died on the 25.05.1866, Limerick (Ref: Limerick Chronicle). Henry married (Second) to Eliza Moore, daughter of William Moore (Steward) on the 24 October 1866, St. Michael's, COI, Limerick. Henry Vokes died on the 25 February 1898, Limerick, with his son, William Vokes, present at his death. 

• William Wilson Vokes B.1822. William marries Hannah Parker, daughter of Thomas Parker, merchant, and Jane Eyre (Dau of Edward Eyre) on the 04 July 1861.  Known children for Thomas and Hannah are: 

Susan Mary Vokes (1862-1904), Elizabeth Vokes (Corneille) (1867-1930), Caroline Vokes (1868-1944). These 3 daughters are buried in the Vokes vault, Mungret. Alice Harriet Vokes (b.1870)

William Wilson inherits from his uncle, the large boot and shoe business on 122 O'Connell Street (formerly George's Street).  Prior to William Wilson’s death a manager by the name of George Thomas Vokes (Connection to the Vokes family is unclear) takes over the business however the business is put up for sale in 1885 and by 1886 new owners are found for the lease at 122 O'Connell Street. Following this, George Vokes and his family move to Belfast.  George’s son, Frederick Patrick joins the British Army and soon after departs for Canada. Frederick Patrick Vokes becomes a Major and his son Christopher, born 1904, becomes Major General, commander of the 1st Canadian Division to Europe during WW2. Read more on Major General Christopher Vokes. William Wilson Vokes died in 1879, aged 57. 

• Charles Vokes B. 1819. Died in 1848, aged 29. Buried in the Vokes Vault, Mungret. Not married. 

• Richard Vokes No information at present. 

• Harriet Vokes, (V) (1827 - 1852) marries Eyre Heaphy (1806 - 1891), Steward, son of John Heaphy, Steward for Lord Clarina, Elm Park. [See Heaphy Family]. Harriet Vokes Heaphy is buried in the Vokes Vault, Mungret. Children: Harriet Heaphy (Wallace) (1851 - 1900) and John Eyre Heaphy (1852 - 1910)

• Thomas Vokes (junior). B.1832. Died 1859, aged 27. Buried in the Vokes Vault, Mungret. Not Married. 

• Carolina Vokes Immigrated to Australia in 1853 (Ref: Chapter 4 - Vokes Family of Limerick City & County)

• Trophina Vokes Immigrated to Australia in 1853 (Ref: Chapter 4 - Vokes Family of Limerick City & County)

• Rosina Vokes Immigrated to Australia in 1853 (Ref: Chapter 4 - Vokes Family of Limerick City & County)

Richard Vokes No information at present. 

George Vokes No information at present. 

Trophina Vokes married John Clarke in 1821.