Baron McGowan, of Ardeer in the County of Ayr Scotland,[1] is a title in the Peerage of the United Kingdom. The current title holder is Harry John Charles McGowan, 4th Baron McGowan.

Baron McGowan
Created byKing George VI
PeeragePeerage of the United Kingdom
First holderSir Harry McGowan
Present holderHarry John Charles McGowan, 4th Baron McGowan.
Heir presumptiveHon. Dominic James Wilson McGowan
Seat(s)Highway Hall, West Froyle
Former seat(s)Bragborough Hall, Northamptonshire
MottoJuncta Juvant (Union is strength)

Baron McGowan, of Ardeer

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The title was created in 1937 for Sir Harry McGowan, Chairman of Imperial Chemical Industries. As of 2014 the title is held by his great-grandson, the fourth Baron, who succeeded his father in 2003.[2]

The family seat is Highway House, Lower Froyle, Hampshire.[3]

Ancestry

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Samuel Pepys painted by Sir Godfrey Kneller in 1689

The McGowan family is related to the Earls of Cottenham[3] and the renowned Diarist, MP and Naval administrator Samuel Pepys through the current Baron's mother Lady Gillian Angela Pepys, daughter of John Digby Thomas Pepys, 7th Earl of Cottenham. The family is also descended from the House of Neville through Lady Angela Isabel Nevill, grandmother of the 4th Baron.[4] This connection names Kings Edward III, Edward IV and Richard III among the family's ancestors.[5]

The current title holder, Harry John Charles McGowan's immediate family include his sisters, Hon. Emma Louisa Angela McGowan and Hon. Annabel Kate Cory McGowan, and his daughters, Hon. Sophie Isabella Fox McGowan and Hon. Martha Davina Fox McGowan.[3]

Barons McGowan (1937)

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The heir presumptive is the present holder's uncle Hon. Dominic James Wilson McGowan (b. 1951).

Line of Succession

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  •   Harry Duncan McGowan, 1st Baron McGowan (1874–1961)
    •   Harry Wilson McGowan, 2nd Baron McGowan (1906–1986)
      •   Harry Duncan McGowan, 3rd Baron McGowan (1938–2003)
        •   Harry John Charles McGowan, 4th Baron McGowan (b. 1971)
      • (1) Hon. Dominic James Wilson McGowan (b. 1951)
      • (2) Hon. Mungo Alexander Cansh McGowan (b. 1956)
        • (3) James Alexander Cory McGowan (b. 1985)

Arms

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Coat of arms of Baron McGowan
 
 
Crest
A tower Or between two horseshoes Proper.
Escutcheon
Quarterly per saltire Argent and Azure two lions rampant in pale Gules and as many horseshoes in fess Proper
Supporters
Dexter a figure representing St Barbara Proper holding in the exterior hand a tower Or sinister a figure representing St Kentigern Proper holding in the exterior hand his Crozier Or.
Motto
Juncta Juvant (Union Is Strength)[3]

Ancestry & family tree

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References

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  1. ^ "No. 34375". The London Gazette. 26 February 1937. p. 1324.
  2. ^ Burkes Peerage 107th edition- pg; 2625
  3. ^ a b c d Cracroft's Peerage
  4. ^ "The National Archives | Exhibitions | Citizenship | Citizen or subject".
  5. ^ Edward III of England