In 1086 Wynric held Sandford-on-Thames from the Abbey of Abingdon. It was assessed at 10 hides with woodland and 2 fisheries in addition. Before the Conquest it was held by Blaecmann the priest from the abbey. A further 2 hides were held by Hugh the Cook in 1086. Wynric, holder of most of the manor in 1086, has been identified as Gueres de Palences (VCH). At some point it seems that an heir took the name of Sandford as his own. This first occurs in 1111 when we hear of Robert de Sandford and his son Jordan. In 1150-60 Robert de Sandford founded Littlemore Priory. In 1240 Thomas de Sandford gave all his lands at Sandford to the Order of the Temple at Cowley, and when that order was dissolved in 1312 its lands were transferred to the Hospitallers.
The church was founded by Gueres de Palences (i.e. Wynric) and the advowson remained in lay hands until some time before 1220, when Littlemore claimed it.