The McGowan family is a noble family holding titles in the Peerage of the United Kingdom and the Peerage and Baronetage of Ireland .[1]

McGowan
Noble family
Country United Kingdom
FounderSir Harry McGowan
Current headLord Harry John Charles McGowan
TitlesBaron McGowan of Ardeer
Style(s)His Lordship
Baron
Estate(s)Highway House, West Froyle
Bragborough Hall, Northamptonshire

Ancestry edit

 
Charles Pepys, 1st Earl of Cottenham by Charles Robert Leslie

Through the current Lord McGowan's maternal grandfather, the family is descended from the Pepys family (the Earls of Cottenham),[2] and the Nevill family, holders of the titles of Marquess of Abergavenny, Viscount Neville and Earl of Abergavenny.[3] This connection names Kings Edward III, Edward IV and Richard III, the last members of the House of York to rule England, among the family's ancestors.[4] This royal ancestry is derived from Cecily Neville, Duchess of York, mother to Edward IV and Richard III. The linked houses of Neville and York were to become renowned for their involvement in the War of the Roses.

King Edward III of England was the paternal Great-Grandfather of Cecily Neville.[5]

Also among the family's ancestors is William Young, the highly regarded architect and Sir James Herbert Cory, Conservative MP and philanthropist.[6]

Baron McGowan edit

The family's main title is that of Baron McGowan, of Ardeer, with this peerage being held only by the direct descendants of Sir Harry McGowan, 1st Bt, (later Lord McGowan).[7] The current head of the family is Lord Harry John Charles McGowan, 4th Baron McGowan.


Coat of arms edit

Coat of arms of McGowan family
 
Coronet
A coronet of a Baron
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)[8]

Family tree[9] edit

References edit

  1. ^ Cacroft's Peerage
  2. ^ Kidd, Charles, Williamson, David (editors). Debrett's Peerage and Baronetage (1990 edition). New York: St Martin's Press, 1990
  3. ^ Ollard, 1984, ch. 16 pg 562
  4. ^ "The National Archives | Exhibitions | Citizenship | Citizen or subject".
  5. ^ Edward III of England
  6. ^ The Peerage
  7. ^ "No. 34375". The London Gazette. 26 February 1937. p. 1324.
  8. ^ Cacroft's Peerage-McGowan, Nevill, Pepys, Cory families[permanent dead link]
  9. ^ Cacroft's Peerage-McGowan, Nevill, Pepys, Cory families[permanent dead link]