List of political families in the United Kingdom
See also Genealogical relationships of Prime Ministers of the United Kingdom.
During its history, the United Kingdom (and previously England and Scotland) has seen many families who have repeatedly produced notable politicians, and consequently such families have had a significant impact on politics in the British Isles.
Certain families, such as the Cecils, owe their long standing political influence to the House of Lords, which was still mainly composed of hereditary legislators until 1999. Other families, such as the Longs, have had a long tradition of standing for elected office, usually in the House of Commons.
Aitkens
Alexanders
Amerys
- Leo Amery (1873–1955), Conservative MP for Birmingham Sparkbrook 1911–1945, Secretary of State
- Julian Amery (1919–1996), Conservative MP for Preston North 1950–1966, Brighton Pavilion 1969–1992, Secretary of State for Air; son of Leo
- John Amery (1912–1945), anti-communist and pro-Hitler activist, executed for treason; son of Leo
Armstrongs
Hilary Armstrong succeeded her father, Ernest Armstrong, as MP for North West Durham in 1987.
This family is American (ultimately German) in origin.
- Waldorf Astor (1879–1952), Conservative MP for Plymouth, Sutton 1910–1919, later 2nd Viscount Astor; husband of Nancy Astor, Viscountess Astor
- Nancy Astor (1879–1964), Conservative MP for Plymouth, Sutton 1919–1945, first female MP to take her seat; Waldorf's wife
- John Jacob Astor (1886–1971), Conservative MP 1922–1945, later 1st Baron Astor of Hever; Waldorf's brother
Asquiths and Bonham Carters
There are numerous notable figures descendant from Asquith, including diplomats, judges and actors. Listed below are some of the members who were in Westminster politics or prominent positions within the Liberal party.
- Herbert Asquith (1852–1928), Liberal MP, Chancellor of the Chancellor of the Exchequer 1905–1908, Prime Minister 1908–1916, later 1st Earl of Oxford and Asquith
- Lady Violet Bonham Carter (1887–1969), Governor of the BBC 1941–1946, President of the Liberal Party 1945–1947, created a life peer in 1964; daughter of Herbert Asquith
- Sir Maurice Bonham Carter (1880–1960), Principal Private Secretary to Herbert Asquith; married to Violet, daughter of Herbert
- Mark Bonham Carter (1922–1994), Liberal MP, later life peer; son of Violet Bonham Carter
- Laura Bonham Carter, daughter of Violet Bonham Carter and married to Jo Grimond (1913–1983), MP for Orkney and Shetland 1950–1983, Leader of the Liberal Party 1956–1967 and created Life peer 1983;
Beaumonts
- Colonel Thomas Richard Beaumont (1758-1829), soldier, Tory MP for Northumberland, 1795-1818
- Thomas Wentworth Beaumont (1792-1848), soldier, son of Thomas Richard Beaumont, Tory MP for Northumberland 1816-1826, Whig MP for Stafford, 1826-1830, Liberal MP for Northumberland, 1830-1832, and for South Northumberland, 1832-1837
- Wentworth Beaumont, 1st Baron Allendale (1829-1907), eldest son of Thomas Wentworth Beaumont, industrialist, Liberal MP for South Northumberland, 1852-1885, and for Tyneside, 1886-1892
- Wentworth Beaumont, 1st Viscount Allendale (1860-1923), eldest son of Wentworth Beaumont (1st Baron Allendale),politician, Liberal MP for Hexham, 1895-1907
- Hubert Beaumont (1864-1922), third son of Wentworth Beaumont (1st Baron Allendale), Liberal MP for Eastbourne, 1906-1910
- Michael Beaumont (1903-1958), soldier, son of Hubert Beaumont and son-in-law of Joseph Albert Pease (below), Conservative MP for Aylesbury, 1929-1938
- Timothy Beaumont, Baron Beaumont of Whitley (1928-2008), clergyman, publisher and politician, son of Michael Beaumont and grandson of Joseph Albert Pease (below), Liberal, Liberal Democrat and from 1999 Green Party member of the House of Lords 1967-2008
- Somerset Beaumont (1835-1921), third son of Thomas Wentworth Beaumont, banker, Liberal MP for Newcastle-upon-Tyne, 1860-1865, and for Wakefield, 1868-1874
Beggses
Benns
- John Williams Benn (1850–1922), Liberal MP
- William Wedgwood Benn (1877–1960), Liberal and Labour MP, son of John Benn
- Tony Benn (1925–), Labour MP, son of William Benn
- Hilary Benn (1953–), Labour MP, son of Tony Benn
- Emily Benn, (1989–), Labour Parliamentary Candidate, granddaughter of Tony Benn, niece of Hilary Benn.
Brookes
- Henry Brooke, Member of Parliament and Home Secretary, later life peer
- Peter Brooke, MP and Secretary of State, life peer, son of Henry Brooke
Callaghans
- James Callaghan (later Baron Callaghan of Cardiff, Prime Minister 1976–1979)
- Margaret Jay (née Callaghan, later Baroness Jay of Paddington, Leader of the House of Lords 1998–2001), daughter of James
- Peter Jay (British Ambassador to the United States), husband of Margaret
- Douglas Jay, Baron Jay, father of the above and former Labour MP and Peer
- William Cavendish (1640–1707), Whig MP for Derbyshire 1661–1681, later 1st Duke of Devonshire
- William Cavendish (1672–1729), MP for Derbyshire 1695–1701, Castle Rising 1702 and Yorkshire 1702–1707, later 2nd Duke of Devonshire; son of 1st Duke
- William Cavendish (1698–1755), Whig MP for Lostwithiel 1721–1724, Grampound 1724–1727 and Huntingdonshire 1727–1729, later 3rd Duke of Devonshire; son of 2nd Duke
- William Cavendish (1720–1764), Whig MP for Derbyshire 1741–51, later 4th Duke of Devonshire and First Lord of the Treasury; son of 3rd Duke
- Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire (1757–1806), wife of William Cavendish, 5th Duke of Devonshire, society host and key support of the Whig party
- William Cavendish (1808–1891), MP for Cambridge 1829–1831, Malton 1831–1832 and Derbyshire North 1832–1834, later 7th Duke of Devonshire; great-grandson of 4th Duke
- Spencer Cavendish (1833–1908), Liberal then Liberal Unionist MP for Lancashire North 1857–1868, Radnor 1869–1880, Lancashire Northeast 1880–1885 and Rossendale 1885–1891, later 8th Duke of Devonshire, asked three times to be Prime Minister; son of 7th Duke
- Lord Frederick Cavendish (1836–1882), Liberal MP for the West Riding of Yorkshire and Chief Secretary for Ireland; brother of Spencer
- Lord Edward Cavendish (1838–1891), MP for Derbyshire West; brother of Spencer
- Victor Cavendish (1868–1938), Liberal Unionist MP for Derbyshire West 1891–1908, later 9th Duke of Devonshire; son of Edward
- Edward Cavendish (1895–1950), MP for Derbyshire West 1923–1938, later 10th Duke of Devonshire; son of 9th Duke
- Andrew Cavendish (1920–2004), 11th Duke of Devonshire, minister in Conservative government 1960–64; son of 10th Duke
- Harold Macmillan (1894–1986), MP for Stockton-on-Tees 1924–29, 1931–45, Bromley 1945–64, Prime Minister 1957–63, later Earl of Stockton; married Dorothy Cavendish, daughter of Victor
- Maurice Macmillan (1921–1984), MP for Halifax 1955–64, Farnham 1966–83, South West Surrey 1983–84, Secretary of State; son of Harold
- Richard Cavendish (1871–1946), MP for North Lancashire; son of Edward, brother of Victor
Cecils (Earls/Marquesses of Salisbury)
- William Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley chief minister of Elizabeth I of England
- Robert Cecil, 1st Earl of Salisbury chief minister of Elizabeth I of England and James I; son of William
- James Cecil, 3rd Earl of Salisbury politician, descendant
- James Gascoyne-Cecil, 2nd Marquess of Salisbury, politician, Conservative Leader of the House of Lords; descendant
- Robert Gascoyne-Cecil, 3rd Marquess of Salisbury Prime Minister, Conservative Leader of the House of Lords; son of James
- James Gascoyne-Cecil, 4th Marquess of Salisbury, politician, Conservative Leader of the House of Lords; son of Robert
- Robert Gascoyne-Cecil, 1st Viscount Cecil of Chelwood, politician, son of Robert
- Lord Hugh Cecil, politician, son of Robert
- Arthur Balfour, Prime Minister, nephew of Robert
- Gerald Balfour, 2nd Earl of Balfour, Cabinet minister, nephew of Robert
Chamberlains
Churchills and related persons
Cromwells
- Thomas Cromwell, 1st Earl of Essex, Secretary of State, Master of the Rolls, Lord Privy Seal
- Oliver Cromwell (great-great-grandnephew of Thomas), army general, Lord Protector
- Richard Cromwell (son of Oliver), member of Council of State, Lord Protector
- Henry Ireton, son-in-law of Oliver, New Model Army general, deputy-governor of Ely, member of Parliament, Lord Deputy of Ireland
- Charles Fleetwood, son-in-law of Oliver, New Model Army general, governor of Isle of Wight, member of Parliament, member of Council of State, Lord Deputy of Ireland
Cryers
Dickinsons – Davidsons
Dunwoodys
- Morgan Phillips (General Secretary of the Labour Party (1944–1961))
- Norah Phillips, Baroness Phillips, Labour life peer, wife of Morgan
- Gwyneth Dunwoody, their daughter, a Member of Parliament (Exeter 1966–1970), Crewe 1974–1983, Crewe & Nantwich 1983–2008 )
- Dr John Dunwoody, Gwyneth's husband, a Member of Parliament (Falmouth & Camborne 1966–1970)
- Tamsin Dunwoody, Welsh Assembly Member (2003–2007), Deputy Minister for Enterprise, Innovation and Networks (January 2005–2007), Deputy Minister for Environment, Planning & Countryside (October 2005–2007) Welsh Assembly Government, their daughter
Eagles
Ewings
- Isaac Foot (Liberal Member of Parliament)
- Dingle Foot, (later Sir Dingle Foot, 1905–1978, Liberal then Labour MP), son of Isaac
- Hugh Foot, (later Baron Caradon, 1907–1990, Governor of Cyprus, Permanent Representative at the United Nations 1964–70), son of Isaac
- John Foot, (later Baron Foot, 1909–1999, lawyer and politician), son of Isaac
- Michael Foot, (1913–2010, Leader of the British Labour Party (1980–1983), son of Isaac
Galbraiths
Guests
- Sir Josiah John Guest, 1st Baronet (1785–1852); Welsh engineer and entrepreneur, MP for Honiton and first MP for Merthyr Tydfil
- Ivor Bertie Guest, 1st Baron Wimborne ( 1835–1914); Welsh industrialist, first son of John Josiah Guest, High Sheriff of Glamorgan in 1862; mayor of Poole from 1896–1897
- Montague John Guest (1839–1909); 3rd son of John Josiah Guest, Liberal MP for Youghal, County Cork and later for Wareham in Dorset
- Ivor Churchill Guest, 1st Viscount Wimborne ( 1873–1939); the son of Ivor Bertie Guest, Conservative MP for Plymouth, he later accompanied his cousin Winston Churchill into the Liberal Party and sat as Liberal MP for Cardiff, government minister and Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, 1915–1918
- Christian Henry Charles Guest( 1874–1957), the son of Ivor Bertie Guest, Liberal and later Liberal National MP for four different constituencies between 1910 and 1945
- Frederick ‘Freddie’ Edward Guest (1875–1937); the son of Ivor Bertie Guest, brother of Ivor Churchill Guest and Henry Guest, Coalition Liberal MP and Chief Whip in Lloyd George’s Coalition Government 1916-1922
- Lionel George William Guest (1880–1935); the son of Ivor Bertie Guest, brother of Ivor Churchill Guest, Henry Guest and Freddie Guest, elected Municipal Reform Party member of the London County Council for Mile End in 1928
- Oscar Montague Guest (1888–1958); the son of Ivor Bertie Guest, brother of Ivor Churchill Guest, Henry Guest, Freddie Guest and Lionel Guest, Liberal MP for Loughborough, 1918–1922 and Conservative MP for Camberwell North West, 1935–1945
Guinness/Channon
Hoggs (Viscounts Hailsham)
Hoosons
- Tom Hooson, Conservative MP for Brecon and Radnor
- his cousin and political opponent, Emlyn Hooson, Baron Hooson, Liberal MP for Montgomeryshire
Hurds
Janners
Greville Janner succeeded his father Sir Barnett Janner in Leicester, North-West in 1970.
Levers
Two brothers – Harold Lever and Leslie Maurice Lever – were Members for the neighbouring constituencies of Manchester Cheetham and Manchester Ardwick.
Lloyd Georges
Longs and related persons
All of the Longs in this list are related to each other, sharing a common ancestor. Walter, the 1st Viscount Long stated in his autobiography in 1923, that there was an unbroken line of Longs serving Parliament in the House of Commons for about 300 years. This list spans 555 years.
- John Long (politician) MP for Cricklade in 1442.
- Thomas Long of Draycot MP for Westbury in 1491. Son of John.
- Henry Long (MP 1552-1553) for Wiltshire. Son of Thomas.
- Richard Long (courtier) MP for Southwark in 1539. Son of Thomas.
- Sir Robert Long, 1st Baronet MP for Devizes in 1626 and 1628–29, for Midhurst in 1640, for Tewkesbury in 1659 and Boroughbridge from 1661–1673. Also Secretary of State and Auditor of the Exchequer to Charles II.
- Sir James Long, 2nd Baronet MP for Chippenham, MP for Malmesbury 1679, 1681, 1690–92. Nephew of Sir Robert.
- Francis Russell, 4th Earl of Bedford MP for Lyme Regis, Custos Rotulorum of Devon. Great grandson of Richard Long (courtier).
- Gifford Long MP for Westbury in 1625.
- Sir Walter Long, 1st Baronet MP for Salisbury in 1625, MP for Bath 1627, and MP for Ludgershall 1649.
- Lislebone Long MP in the protectorate Parliament for Wells in 1654, 1659, MP for Somerset 1656-8.
- Richard Mason (politician) MP for Yarmouth 1673, MP for Bishop's Castle, Shropshire 1680-1. Son-in-law of Sir James Long, 2nd Bt.
- Richard Long (MP 1694) for Chippenham.
- Richard Long (MP 1734-1741) for Chippenham. Son of Richard above.
- Sir James Long, 5th Baronet MP for Chippenham in 1705, 1707, 1708, and 1710, and MP for Wootton Bassett in 1714. Grandson of Sir James, 2nd Bt.
- Sir Philip Parker, 1st Baronet MP for Harwich 1679–85 and MP for Sandwich 1685–87. Grandson of Sir Walter Long, 1st Bt.
- Sir Philip Parker-a-Morley-Long, 3rd Baronet MP for Harwich 1715–1734. Son of Sir Philip Parker 1st Bt.
- Sir Robert Long, 6th Baronet MP for Wootton Bassett in 1734, and MP for Wiltshire in 1741. Son of Sir James, 5th Bt.
- John Perceval, 2nd Earl of Egmont First Lord of the Admiralty 1763–1766 and sat in the House of Commons for several constituencies. Great-great grandson of Sir Walter Long 1st Bt.
- Sir James Tylney-Long, 7th Baronet MP for Marlborough 1762–1780, MP for Devizes (1780–1788) and MP for Wiltshire in 1788. Son of Sir Robert, 6th Bt.
- Spencer Perceval MP for Northampton 1796–1812, Chancellor of the Exchequer 1807–1812, Leader of the House of Commons 1807–1812, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster 1807–1812, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom 1809–1812. Son of John Perceval, 2nd Earl of Egmont.
- Richard Godolphin Long MP for Wiltshire 1806–18. Grandson of Richard Long (MP 1734–1741).
- William Pole-Tylney-Long-Wellesley, 4th Earl of Mornington MP for St Ives 1812–18 and MP for Wiltshire 1818. Son-in-law of Sir James Tylney-Long.
- Walter Long Member for North Wiltshire from 1835 to 1865. Son of Richard Godolphin Long.
- Richard Penruddocke Long MP for Chippenham 1859–65 and MP for North Wiltshire 1865–68. Son of Walter above.
- Walter Long, 1st Viscount Long MP for North Wiltshire 1880–85, MP for Devizes 1885–92, MP for Liverpool West Derby 1893–1900, MP for Bristol South 1900–06, MP for South Dublin 1906–10, MP for Strand 1910–18, and MP for St George's 1918–21. Also served as Parliamentary Secretary to the Local Government Board, President of the Board of Agriculture, President of the Local Government Board, Chief Secretary for Ireland, leader of the Irish Unionist Parliamentary Party, First Lord of the Admiralty, Lord Lieutenant of Wiltshire. Son of R.P Long above.
- John Rolls, 1st Baron Llangattock MP for Monmouthshire 1880–85. Grandson of Walter Long of Preshaw
- Richard Chaloner, 1st Baron Gisborough MP for Westbury 1895–1900, MP for Abercromby 1910–1917. Brother of Walter, 1st Viscount Long.
- George Gibbs, 1st Baron Wraxall MP for Bristol West 1906–1928, Government Whip 1917–21. Son-in-law of Walter, 1st Viscount Long.
- Richard Long, 3rd Viscount Long MP for Westbury 1927–31. Son of Walter, 1st Viscount Long.
- Richard Long, 4th Viscount Long Conservative Opposition Whip in 1974 and Lord-in-Waiting from 1979–97. Son of Richard above.
- David Cunliffe-Lister, 2nd Earl of Swinton Deputy Chief Whip in the House of Lords under Margaret Thatcher 1982–1986. Government spokesman on agriculture and education 1983–1986. Great-great-great grandson of Richard Godolphin Long.
- Charles Long, 1st Baron Farnborough
- Dudley Long North
Mallalieus
McAteers
Eddie McAteer, one-time leader of the Nationalist Party (Ireland), was the brother of Hugh McAteer, a Sinn Féin and IRA activist, and the father of Fergus McAteer, a leader of the Irish Independence Party.
McNair-Wilsons
Patrick McNair-Wilson, Conservative MP for Lewisham West 1964–66 and New Forest from 1968, was the brother of Michael McNair-Wilson, Conservative MP for Walthamstow East 1967–70 and Newbury 1974–92.
Milibands
Morrises
- Alf Morris, Labour MP for Manchester Wythenshawe from 1964
- Charles Morris, Labour MP for Manchester Openshaw 1963–83, Alf's brother
Morrison and Mandelson
- Herbert Morrison (1888–1965), Labour MP 1920s – 1950s, held various senior positions including Chair of the Labour Party and Leader of London County Council, later Cabinet Minister 1940–1951, as Deputy Prime Minister 1945–1951 and spells as variously Home Secretary, Foreign Secretary and Leader of the House of Commons
Morrisons
Peter Morrison, Conservative MP for Chester 1974–1992 was the brother of Charles Morrison who was MP for Devizes 1964–1992.
Paisleys
Peases
- Joseph Pease (1799–1872), Quaker railway company promoter and industrialist, MP for South Durham, 1832–1841
- Henry Pease (1807–1881), railway owner and peace campaigner, younger brother of Joseph Pease, Liberal MP for South Durham, 1857–1859
- Sir Joseph Whitwell Pease, first baronet (1828–1903), Quaker industrialist and banker, son of Joseph Pease, Liberal MP for South Durham, 1865–1885 and for Barnard Castle, 1885–1903
- Edmund Backhouse (1824-1906), Quaker banker, second cousin, wife's nephew, and business associate of Joseph Pease, Liberal MP for Darlington, 1867-1880
- Sir Theodore Fry, first baronet (1836-1912), Quaker industrialist, married to Sophia Pease (niece of Joseph and Henry Pease), Liberal MP for Darlington, 1880-1895
- Arthur Pease (1837-1898), coal and ironstone mine-owner, son of Joseph Pease, Liberal MP for Whitby, 1880-1885 and for Darlington, 1895-1898
- Henry Fell Pease (1838–1896), coal and ironstone mine-owner, son of Henry Pease, Liberal MP for Cleveland division of the North Riding, 1885–1896
- Sir Alfred Edward Pease, second baronet (1857–1939), politician and sportsman, elder son of Sir Joseph Whitwell Pease, Liberal MP for York, 1885–1892 and for the Cleveland division of the North Riding from 1897–1902
- Joseph Albert Pease, first Baron Gainford (1860–1943), younger son of Sir Joseph Whitwell Pease, Liberal MP for Tynemouth from 1892–1900, Saffron Walden from 1900 – January 1910 and Rotherham from March 1910–1916. He was Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, President of the Board of Education and Postmaster General.
- Herbert Pike Pease first Baron Daryngton (1867-1949), son of Arthur Pease, MP for Darlington, sitting as a Liberal Unionist and then a Unionist 1898-1910, as a Conservative 1910-1923, and in the House of Lords 1923-1949.
- William Edwin Pease (1865-1926), industrialist, Conservative MP for Darlington, 1923-1926
Pelhams (Dukes of Newcastle)
Pitts (Earls of Chatham), Grenvilles and Stanhopes
Three prominent political dynasties of the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries, interrelated through several marriages.
Silkins
Smiles
- Sir Walter Smiles, Conservative MP for Blackburn 1931–45, Ulster Unionist MP for Down, then North Down 1945–53
- Patricia Ford, née Smiles, Ulster Unionist MP for North Down; Walter Smiles' daughter, took over seat upon his death
Springs and Spring-Rices
Two branches of the Spring family of Lavenham: the Springs of Pakenham, Suffolk, and the Spring-Rices of Ireland.
- Sir William Spring of Lavenham (died 1599), High Sheriff of Suffolk (1578 and 1579), MP for Suffolk (1570)
- Sir William Spring, 1st Baronet of Packenham (1613–1654) , MP for Bury St Edmunds (1646–8) and Suffolk (1654), High Sheriff of Suffolk (1641)
- Thomas Spring Rice, 1st Baron Monteagle of Brandon (1790–1866), Whig Chancellor of the Exchequer (1835–9)
- Thomas Rice, 2nd Baron Monteagle of Brandon (1849–1926), politician, grandson of the 1st Baron
- Thomas Aubrey Rice, 3rd Baron Monteagle of Brandon (1883–1934), diplomat, son of the 2nd Baron
- Francis Spring Rice, 4th Baron Monteagle of Brandon (1852–1937), politician, son of the 3rd Baron
- Sir Cecil Spring-Rice (1859–1918), British Ambassador to the United States from 1912 to 1918, grandson of 1st Baron Monteagle of Brandon
- Richard Spring, Baron Risby, former Conservative MP for Bury St Edmunds (1983–1997) and West Suffolk (1997–2010), Conservative life peer.
Stanleys (Earls of Derby)
Sainsburys
Todds
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Wakefields
Wavell Wakefield and Edward Wakefield, brothers, were both Members of Parliament, for St Marylebone from 1945 and West Derbyshire from 1950 respectively.
Williams/Breese
Married Couples