Before the Norman Conquest, Naburn was held by two Saxons, named Turgot and Turchil. After the Conquest, it was given, to Robert de Todeni, one of the Conquerors standard-bearers, from whom the Rutland family is descended. In 1086 there were two main estates recorded at Naburn, the one belonging to Robert de Todeni and the other to the King. The larger estate passed by way of marriage to the Aubignys until it passed, in 1284–5, to Robert de Ros. The Ros interest was mentioned as late as 1434. About 1200 the Watervill were lords of the manor of Naburn under the Aubignys. Richard de Watervill assigned the manor to William Palmes in 1226 and the estate remained in the Palmes family until the death of Commander George Bryan Palmes in 1974. The current head of the Palmes family is Antony Bryan Palmes (born 4 May 1930).