Baron Digby

Baron Digby is a title that has been created twice, once in the Peerage of Ireland and once in the Peerage of Great Britain, for members of the same family.

Barony of Digby
Arms of Digby: Azure, a fleur-de-lis argent. Crest: An ostrich, holding in the beak a horse-shoe all proper. Supporters: On either side a monkey proper environed about the middle and lined or.
Creation date29 July 1620 (Ire)
19 August 1765 (GB)
MonarchJames VI & I (Ire)
King George III (GB)
PeeragePeerage of Ireland
Peerage of Great Britain
First holderRobert Digby, 1st Baron Digby (Ire)
Henry Digby, 7th and 1st Baron Digby (GB)
Present holderHenry Digby, 13th and 7th Baron Digby
Heir apparentHon. Edward Digby
Remainder toThe 1st Baron's heirs male of the body lawfully begotten (Ire).
The 7th Baron's father's heirs male of the body lawfully begotten (GB).
StatusExtant
Seat(s)Minterne House
MottoDEO NON FORTUNA
(From God not chance)

Robert Digby, Governor of King's County was created Baron Digby, of Geashill in the King's County in the Peerage of Ireland in 1620. He was the nephew of John Digby, 1st Earl of Bristol. Lord Digby's grandson, the third Baron, and the latter's younger brothers, the fourth and fifth Barons, all represented Warwick in Parliament.

The 5th Baron's grandson, the 6th Baron, sat as a Member of Parliament for Malmesbury and for Wells. His younger brother, the 7th Baron, represented Ludgershall and Wells in the House of Commons. In 1765, he was created Baron Digby, of Sherborne in the County of Dorset, in the Peerage of Great Britain, with remainder to the male issue of his father. In 1790, Lord Digby was further honoured when he was made Viscount Coleshill and Earl Digby also in the Peerage of Great Britain, with remainder to the issue male of his body.

His son, the 2nd Earl, was Lord Lieutenant of Dorset from 1808 to 1856. He never married, and on his death in 1856, the viscountcy and earldom became extinct. However, he was succeeded in the two baronies by his first cousin once removed, the 9th Baron. He was the son of Admiral Sir Henry Digby, son of the Very Reverend the Honourable William Digby, younger brother of the 6th Baron and the first Earl Digby. His son, the 10th Baron, sat as a Conservative Member of Parliament for Dorset. He was succeeded by his son, the 11th Baron. He was Chairman of the Dorset County Council from 1955 to 1964 and Lord Lieutenant of Dorset from 1952 to 1964. The son, the 12th Baron, also served as Lord Lieutenant of Dorset from 1984 to 1999. As of 2018 the titles are held by his son, the 13th Baron, who succeeded in 2018.

Two female members of the family have also gained fame. Jane Digby was the sister of the 9th Baron while Hon. Pamela Harriman (née Digby), American Ambassador to France, was the eldest daughter of the 11th Baron and the sister of the 12th Baron.

The family seat is Minterne House, near Dorchester, Dorset.

Baron Digby (1620, Ire)

Baron Digby (1765, GB)

Earl Digby (1790)

Baron Digby (1620; 1765; reverted)

The heir apparent is the present holder's son the Hon. Edward St Vincent Kenelm Digby (born 1985).

Male-line family tree

Male-line family tree, Barons Digby.
Robert Digby
1st Baron Digby

c.1599 – 1642
Kildare Digby
2nd Baron Digby

c. 1627 – 1661
Hon.
Robert Digby
1653–1653
Robert Digby
3rd Baron Digby

1654–1677
Simon Digby
4th Baron Digby

1657–1685
William Digby
5th Baron Digby

1661–1752
Hon.
John Digby
c. 1687 – 1746
Hon.
Robert Digby
c. 1692 – 1726
Hon.
Edward Digby
c. 1693 – 1746
Baron Digby
(1765, GB)
Viscount Coleshill
Earl Digby
(both 1790)
Edward Digby
6th Baron Digby

1730–1757
Henry Digby
1st Earl Digby

7th/1st Baron Digby

1731–1793
Adm.
Robert Digby
1732–1815
Very Rev. Hon.
William Digby
1733–1788
Edward Digby
2nd Earl Digby

8th/2nd Baron Digby

1773–1856
Hon.
Henry Digby
1774–1776
Rev. Hon.
Robert Digby
1775–1830
Hon.
Stephen Digby
1776–1795
Adm.
Sir Henry Digby
1770–1842
Viscountcy and
earldom extinct
Edward Digby
9th/3rd Baron Digby

1809–1889
Edward Digby
10th/4th Baron Digby

1846–1920
Edward Digby
11th/5th Baron Digby

1894–1964
Edward Digby
12th/6th Baron Digby

1924–2018
Henry Digby
13th/7th Baron Digby

born 1954
Hon.
Edward Digby
born 1985
Hon.
Henry Digby
born 2018
Hon.
Milo Digby
born 2018

See also

References

  • Kidd, Charles, Williamson, David (editors). Debrett's Peerage and Baronetage (1990 edition). New York: St Martin's Press, 1990.
  • Leigh Rayment's Peerage Pages
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