My wife's ancestors - Fitzwilliam - Contents

Sir William Fitzwilliam, Lord Deputy of Ireland

• Sources yet to be consulted:
  • Fitzwilliam Accounts, Irish Manuscripts Commission, 1960.
  • Calendar of State Papers, Ireland for 1571-1575.

Sir William Fitzwilliam,
born 1526, Milton, Northamptonshire.
See wikipedia and genealogics and tudorplace.
He mar Anne Sidney.
MP for Co.Carlow 1559.
Became Vice-Treasurer of Ireland 1559.
Lord Deputy of Ireland 1571-75 and 1588-94.
His brothers-in-law Sir Henry Sidney, K.G. and Thomas Radclyffe, 3rd Earl of Sussex were also Lord Deputies in this period.
He received the petition to found TCD 1590.
He started building of Milton Hall, Milton, Northamptonshire, in 1590s.
Lived at Gainspark, Essex, and Milton Hall, Northamptonshire.
He died 1599, age 73 yrs. See DIB.
Sir William had issue:

Sir William Fitzwilliam, Knt.,
died 1618,
had issue:

William Fitzwilliam, 1st Baron Fitzwilliam,
cr Baron 1620,
had issue:

William Fitzwilliam, 2nd Baron Fitzwilliam,
had issue:

William Fitzwilliam, 1st Earl Fitzwilliam,
cr Earl 1716 in Irish peerage,
had issue:

John Fitzwilliam, 2nd Earl Fitzwilliam,
had issue:

William Fitzwilliam, 3rd Earl Fitzwilliam, born 1719,
mar Anne Watson-Wentworth [dau of Thomas Watson-Wentworth, 1st Marquess of Rockingham],
created 1st Earl Fitzwilliam in English peerage 1746,
died 1756, age 37 yrs,
had issue:

William Fitzwilliam, 4th Earl Fitzwilliam, born 1748.
He succ 1756.
Inherited the Watson-Wentworth seat, Wentworth Woodhouse in Yorkshire. He added to it.
Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland Dec 1794.
With Grattan he wanted to offer total Catholic emancipation. He was recalled Mar 1795, before 1798 Rising.
Irish seat at Coollattin, Co.Wicklow. See [Irish Country Houses].
He also rebuilt Carnew Castle, Co.Wicklow. See [Irish Country Houses].
He failed to inherit the Irish Fitzwilliam estates 1816.
He died 1833, age 85 yrs. See DIB.
4th Earl had issue:

1. Charles Fitzwilliam, 5th Earl Fitzwilliam, born 1786,
   succ 1833,
   ancestor of Sarah Ferguson,
   died 1857, age 71 yrs,
   had issue:
   1. Charles Wentworth-Fitzwilliam, MP.

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• After the 4th Earl:
  • Fitzwilliam, New Hampshire

• After Charles Wentworth-Fitzwilliam, MP:
  • Fitzwilliam, West Yorkshire.

• Title extinct 1979.

• In the novel Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen's hero Mr. Darcy's full name is "Fitzwilliam Darcy". His mother is a Fitzwilliam, dau of the Earl (whose title is unidentified). His aunt Lady Catherine de Bourgh, nee Fitzwilliam, is another daughter of the Earl.
• This would be written in the time of the prominent statesman, the 4th Earl Fitzwilliam. Whether Austen was inspired by this family, or whether she was just picking a random name, is not known.