London, October 31: A real-life Elizabethan secret agent, who spied for Sir Francis Drake, might have been the inspiration behind British author Ian Fleming’s creation of the fictional character of James Bond.

A journal recording the exploits of John Bond, transcribed by his descendants recently, suggests that Fleming’s Bond shares his name and his family motto—‘The world is not enough’—with their ancestor.

The family believe that Fleming might have borrowed key elements of their story for his fictional character.

According to reports, the Bond family resided in Dorset, a few miles from Durnford House, the prep school where Fleming spent an unhappy few years of his childhood.

Their ancient family motto is “Orbis non sufficit”, which is first introduced as James Bond''s family motto in the book On Her Majesty''s Secret Service.

William Bond, the current head of the family, has revealed that he got his ancestor''s journal transcribed after rediscovering it in the family archives.

He believes that Fleming might have been aware of the family and its unusual motto.

However, he agrees that Fleming was unlikely to have heard of his secret agent's namesake, John Bond.

The journal recording significant events in family history was written by John''s eldest son Denis, reports Times Online.

William believes his ancestor was spying for Drake, and bought his estate with profits from the raids. (ANI)