McGowan family

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
Founder	Sir Harry McGowan
Current head	Lord Harry John Charles McGowan
Titles	Baron McGowan of Ardeer
Style(s)	His Lordship Baron
Estate(s)	Highway House, West Froyle Bragborough Hall, Northamptonshire

Ancestry

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

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

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]

Ancestors of McGowan family

16. Henry McGowan 8. Sir Harry Duncan McGowan, 1st Baron McGowan, KBE 17. Agnes Wilson 4. Harry Wilson McGowan, 2nd Baron McGowan 18. William Young 9. Jean Boyle Young 19. 2. Harry Duncan Cory McGowan, 3rd Baron McGowan 20. John Cory 10. Sir James Herbert Cory 21. Lady Louisa Augusta Venables-Vernon-Harcourt 5. Bessie Carmen Cory 22. Alexander Walker 11. Elizabeth Cansh Walker CBE 23. Elizabeth Easton 1. Harry John Charles McGowan Hon. Louisa McGowan Hon. Anabel McGowan 24. William John Pepys, 3rd Earl of Cottenham 12. Kenelm Charles Edward Pepys, 4th Earl of Cottenham 25. Theodosia Selina Dallas 6. John Digby Thomas Pepys, 7th Earl of Cottenham 26. William Nevill, 1st Marquess of Abergavenny 13. Lady Rose Leigh 27. Caroline Vanden-Bempde Johnstone 3. Lady Gillian Angela Pepys 28. Lord George Montacute Nevill 14. Guy Temple Montacute Nevill, 4th Marquess of Abergavenny 29. Florence Mary Soanes 7. Lady Angela Isabel Nevill 30. James Walker Larnach 15. Isabel Nellie Larnach 31. Lady Isabel Lettice Theodosia Boyle

References

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. http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/pathways/citizenship/citizen_subject/neville.htm
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
9. Cacroft's Peerage-McGowan, Nevill, Pepys, Cory families