Baron Lilford

Thomas Powys, 4th Baron Lilford

Baron Lilford, of Lilford in the County of Northampton, is a title in the Peerage of Great Britain. It was created in 1797 for Thomas Powys, who had previously represented Northamptonshire in the House of Commons. His grandson, the third Baron, served as a Lord-in-waiting (government whip) from 1837 to 1841 in the Whig administration of Lord Melbourne. He was succeeded by his son, the fourth Baron, an ornithologist.

On the death of his younger son, the sixth Baron (who succeeded his elder brother), in 1949, the line of the third Baron failed. The late Baron was succeeded by his second cousin twice removed, the seventh Baron. He was the great-great-grandson of Robert Vernon Powys, second son of the second Baron. As of 2010, the title is held by his only son Mark Powys, the eighth Baron, who succeeded in 2005. The family seat from 1711 until the 1990s was Lilford Hall in Northamptonshire.

The current Baron Lilford retains ownership of land in Jersey, South Africa and West Lancashire, including the Bank Hall Estate, which were inherited in 1860 by Thomas Atherton Powys, 3rd Baron Lilford, upon the death of his wife's cousin George Anthony Legh Keck.

Barons Lilford (1797)

• Thomas Powys, 1st Baron Lilford (1743–1800)
• Thomas Powys, 2nd Baron Lilford (1775–1825)
• Thomas Atherton Powys, 3rd Baron Lilford (1801–1861)
• Thomas Littleton Powys, 4th Baron Lilford (1833–1896)
• John Powys, 5th Baron Lilford (1863–1945)
• Stephen Powys, 6th Baron Lilford (1869–1949)
• George Vernon Powys, 7th Baron Lilford (1931–2005)
• Mark Vernon Powys, 8th Baron Lilford (born 1975)

The heir presumptive is the present holder's second cousin once removed, Robert Charles Lilford Powys (born 1930), the next-senior great-grandson in the male line of descent from Robert Powys, a male-line grandson of the 2nd Baron; he has no living issue.

After the heir presumptive, the next in line is the present holder's second cousin once removed, Michael John Powys (born 1934), another great-grandson in the male line of descent from Robert Powys; he has a son, Victor Michael (born 1961), who in turn has a son, Matthew Paul (born 1996).

Male-line family tree

Male-line family tree, Barons Lilford.

Thomas Powys 1st Baron Lilford 1743–1800 Thomas Powys 2nd Baron Lilford 1775–1825 Thomas Powys 3rd Baron Lilford 1801–1861 Robert Powys 1802–1854 Thomas Powys 4th Baron Lilford 1833–1896 Leopold Fox-Powys 1837–1893 Edward Powys 1839–1930 Col. Charles Powys 1840–1893 Robert Powys 1826–1913 Thomas Powys 1861–1882 John Powys 5th Baron Lilford 1863–1945 Stephen Powys 6th Baron Lilford 1869–1949 Mervyn Powys 1866–1942 George Powys 1868–1868 Edward Powys 1870–1940 John Powys 1857–1923 Robert Powys 1860–1933 Charles Powys 1862–1928 Henry Powys 1866–1929 Thomas Powys 1896–1909 Robert Powys 1889–1940 Frank Powys 1902–1972 George Powys 7th Baron Lilford 1931–2005 Robert Powys born 1930 Mark Powys 8th Baron Lilford born 1975 Matthew Powys 1974–1976

Arms

Coat of arms of Baron Lilford

Crest A lion's jamb couped and erect Gules, holding a staff headed with a fleur-de-lis also erect Or. Escutcheon Or, a lion's jamb erased in bend dexter, between two cross crosslets fitchee in bend sinister Gules. Supporters Dexter, a reaper habited in a loose shirt, leather breeches loose at the knees, white stockings, and black hat and shoes ; in his hat ears of corn, in his right band a reaping-hook, and at his feet a garb, all proper. Sinister, a man in the uniform of the' Northamptonshire yeomanry cavalry, riz. a green long coat, orna-mented on the cuffs and button-holes with gold lace, yellow waistcoat and breeches, and black top boots ; a black stock ; a round hat, adorned with a white feather in front and a green one behind, the sword-belt inscribed with the letters N.Y. and the exterior hand resting on his sword sheathed and point downwards. Motto Parta Tueri (To maintain acquired possessions).

References

• Hesilrige, Arthur G. M. (1921). Debrett's Peerage and Titles of courtesy. 160A, Fleet street, London, UK: Dean & Son. p. 561.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location (link)
• Kidd, Charles, Williamson, David (editors). Debrett's Peerage and Baronetage (1990 edition). New York: St Martin's Press, 1990,
• Leigh Rayment's Peerage Pages