Ferrers Family Genealogy & History

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Earl Ferrers is a distinguished title in the Peerage of Great Britain, established in 1711 for Robert Shirley, 14th Baron Ferrers of Chartley. The title's holders have played significant roles in British history, including Master of the Horse and Lord Lieutenant of Staffordshire. Notably, the fourth Earl, Laurence Shirley, was executed for murder in 1760, marking him as the last British peer to die a felon's death. The thirteenth Earl, a prominent Conservative politician, served in every Conservative administration from 1962 to 1997 and was among the ninety elected hereditary peers in the House of Lords after the 1999 reform.

The Shirley family lineage traces back to George Shirley of Astwell Castle, Northamptonshire, who was created a baronet in 1611. The title and legacy continued through his descendants, with significant family ties, including Lady Dorothy Devereux, linking them to the Devereux family. The baronetcy evolved into the earldom, with Robert Shirley, the seventh Baronet, becoming the first Earl Ferrers in 1711.

Higham Ferrers, a historic market town in North Northamptonshire, England, boasts notable landmarks such as the Market Square and College Street. The town is known for its rich history, with its first Charter granted in 1251 by William de Ferrers, the Lord of the Manor, to foster a thriving community. Higham Ferrers holds historical significance as the birthplace of Henry Chichele, Archbishop of Canterbury, and founder of All Souls College, Oxford. The town's political history includes being a rotten borough until the Reform Act 1832.

The Ferrers family, associated with Higham Ferrers since 1166, played a significant role in the town's development. William de Ferrers was instrumental in establishing the borough and its market, promoting economic growth around his castle's vicinity.

Newton Ferrers is a picturesque village located in the South Hams district of Devon, England, renowned for its scenic beauty within the South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. A key historical highlight is its mention in the Domesday Book as Niwetone and its association with the notorious 17th-century pirate, Henry Every, who was likely born there. The village's Holy Cross Church, originally built in 1260, showcases architectural history with its Victorian restoration and medieval remnants, enhancing its cultural significance.

The village of Newton Ferrers was granted to a branch of the de Ferrers family, a notable Norman lineage, post which it adopted its current name. This historical connection to the de Ferrers family underlines the village's rich aristocratic ancestry.