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List of political families in the United Kingdom

During its history, the United Kingdom (and previously the Kingdom of England, Kingdom of Scotland and Kingdom of Ireland) 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 composition and role of the House of Lords, which was still mainly composed of hereditary legislators until the passing of the House of Lords Act 1999. Other families, such as the Longs, have had a long tradition of standing for elected office, usually in the House of Commons. Many such families were part of the landed gentry, who often exerted political control in a certain locality over many generations.

(Dyke-)Aclands

Adamses

Adamsons

Aitkens

  • William Maxwell Aitken (1879–1964), MP 1910–1916, later 1st Baron Beaverbrook
  • Max Aitken, Conservative MP 1945–1950, later 2nd Baron Beaverbrook; son of Lord Beaverbrook
  • William Traven Aitken (1903–1963), Conservative MP 1950–1963; nephew of Lord Beaverbrook
  • Jonathan Aitken (born 1942), Conservative MP 1974–1997, Chief Secretary to the Treasury; son of William Traven Aitken

Alderdices

Alexanders

Atkins

  • Robert Atkins, Conservative MP 1979–1997 and MEP 1999–2014
  • Victoria Atkins, Conservative MP 2015-. Daughter of Robert.

Attlees

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; also son-in-law of Harold Macmillan (see below)

Armstrongs

Asghars

Astors

  • 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
  • William Astor (1907–1966), Conservative MP for East Fulham 1935–1945, Wycombe 1951–1952; Waldorf and Nancy's son
  • William Astor (born 1951), excepted hereditary peer; William's son
  • David Cameron (born 1966), Conservative Prime Minister; stepson-in-law of William Waldorf
  • Michael Astor (1916–1979), Conservative MP for Surrey East 1945–1951; Waldorf and Nancy's son
  • Jakie Astor (1918–2000), Conservative MP for Plymouth Sutton 1951–1959; Waldorf and Nancy's son
  • John Jacob Astor (1886–1971), Conservative MP for Dover 1922–1945, later 1st Baron Astor of Hever; Waldorf's brother
  • Hon. John Astor (1923–1987), Conservative MP for Newbury 1964–1974; John Jacob's son
  • John Jacob Astor (born 1946), excepted hereditary peer; John Jacob's grandson

Asquiths

Bagshaws

Bakers

Baldwins

Bankeses

Barings

Basses

Bathursts

Beaumonts

Beckfords

Beggses

Beith

Benns

Benyons

Beresfords

Bernal(-Osborne)

Bevan and Lee

Billinghams and Skinners

Bilsons

Blackburnes

Blakes

Blennerhassetts

  • John de Blennerhassett (1350–1384), MP for Carlisle (1381 and 1384)
  • John Blennerhassett (died 1573), MP for Norwich (1563 and 1671) and Horsham (1558)
  • Thomas Blennerhassett (1584–1611), MP for Carlisle (1584, 1586 and 1604)
  • Sir John Blennerhassett (died 1624), Chief Baron of the Irish Exchequer (1621) and MP for Belfast
  • John Blennerhassett (died 1677), High Sheriff of Kerry (1658), MP for Tralee (1661)
  • John Blennerhassett (died 1709), MP for Tralee (1692), Dingle (1695–1699) and Kerry (1703–1709), son of the above
  • John Blennerhassett (1691–1775), MP for Kerry (1709–1713, 1715–1727 and 1760–1775) and Tralee (1713–1715 and 1727–1760), son of the above
  • Arthur Blennerhassett (1719–1799), MP for Tralee (1743–1761) and Kerry (1775–1783), son of the above
  • John Blennerhassett (1715–1763), High Sheriff of Kerry (1740) and MP for Kerry (1751–1761 and 1762–1763)
  • Robert Blennerhassett (1652–1712), MP for Clonmel (1692 and 1695) and Limerick (1703)
  • Arthur Blennerhassett (1687–1758), MP for Tralee (1727–1758), son of the above
  • Robert Blennerhassett (died 1689), MP for Tralee (1674), High Sheriff of Kerry (1682)
  • Conway Blennerhassett (1693–1724), MP for Tralee (1723–1725), grandson of the above
  • Sir Rowland Blennerhassett, 4th Baronet (1839–1909), Liberal MP for Galway Borough (1865–1874) and Kerry (1880–1885), great-great-great-nephew of the above.
  • John Blennerhassett (1769–1794), MP for Kerry (1790–1794)
  • Arthur Blennerhassett (1799–1843), High Sheriff of Kerry (1821) and MP for Kerry (1837–1841)
  • Rowland Ponsonby Blennerhassett (1850–1913), MP for Kerry (1872–1885), grandson of the above
  • John Blennerhassett (1930–2013), Fine Gael member of the Irish Seanad

Blomfield and McAvan

Boles

Borwicks

Boswells

  • Tim Boswell (1942–), Conservative MP 1987–2010.
  • Victoria Prentis (1971–), Conservative MP 2015–. Daughter of Tim.

Bottomleys

Bowaters and related persons

Bradshaws

Brights and Cashs

  • John Bright (1811–1889), MP 1843–1847 1857–1889.
  • John Albert Bright (1848–1924), MP 1889–1895 1906–1910.
  • William Leatham Bright (1851–1910), MP 1885–1890. Son of the above.
  • Bill Cash (1940-), MP 1984-. Cousin of John Bright.
  • Jacob Bright (1821–1899), MP 1867–1874 1876–1885 1886–1895. Brother of John.

Bromleys

Bromleys (Barons Montfort)

Bromleys (Speaker)

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

Brunners

Bull

Burgon

Byers and Nandy

Calcrafts

Callaghans

Calverts

(Bonham-)Carters

Cavendishes (Duke of Devonshire)

Cawleys

Cecils (Earls/Marquesses of Salisbury)

Chamberlains and related

Chichesters (Baron Fisherwick)

Chaplins

Chapman

Chichester-Clark

Churchills, Spencers and related persons

Clifton-Browns

Coopers and Balls

Copes

Courtses

  • A. E. Stubbs (1877–1962), MP 1945–1950.
  • Robert Courts (born 1978), MP 1978-. Great-grandson of A. E. Stubbs.

Cox and Leadbeater

Cromwells

Cruddas and Healy

Cryers

Dashwoods

Davidsons

Davies and Rees

Davises

Dawsons

Dickinsons and Davidsons

Doddses

Doran and Ruddock

Dunnes

Dunwoodys

  • Morgan Phillips (General Secretary of the Labour Party (1944–1961))
  • Norah Phillips, Baroness Phillips, Labour life peer, spouse of Morgan
  • Gwyneth Dunwoody, MP for Exeter 1966–1970, Crewe 1974–1983, and Crewe and Nantwich 1983–2008. Daughter of Morgan and Norah.
  • John Dunwoody, MP for Falmouth and Camborne 1966–1970. Spouse of Gwyneth.
  • 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

Durkans

Eagleses

Eccleses

Edwards and Goldings

Egertons

Ewings

  • Winnie Ewing (1929–2023), SNP MP 1967–1970 1974–1979, MEP 1974–1999; MSP 1999–2003.
  • Stewart Ewing (1927–2003, husband of Winnie) SNP activist and councillor for Glasgow Summerston 1977
  • Fergus Ewing (born 1957, son of Winnie), SNP MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber 1999–present
  • Margaret Ewing (1945–2006, spouse of Fergus), SNP MP for East Dunbartonshire 1974–79 and for Moray 1987–2001; MSP for Moray 1999–2006
  • Annabelle Ewing (born 1960, daughter of Winnie), SNP MP for Perth 2001–2005; SNP MSP 2011–present.

Ferguson and Butler

Fieldens

Finnies

Foleys

Foots

  • Isaac Foot, MP 1922–35.
  • Dingle Foot, MP 1931–70. Son of Isaac.
  • Hugh Foot, (later Baron Caradon, 1907–1990, Governor of Cyprus, Permanent Representative at the United Nations 1964–70), son of Isaac
  • Paul Foot (1937–2004, Socialist Workers Party/Socialist Alliance/Respect candidate), son of Hugh
  • John Foot, (later Baron Foot, 1909–1999, lawyer and Liberal politician), son of Isaac
  • Michael Foot (1913–2010), Leader of the British Labour Party (1980–1983), son of Isaac

Fords

Fosters

Galbraiths

Garniers

Gibsons of Glasgow

Gibsons of Highlands and Islands

  • Rob Gibson, SNP Member of Scottish Parliament 2003–
  • Eleanor Scott, Green MSP 2003–2007. Domestic partner of Rob.

Gladstones and relations

Gildernews

Goldsmiths

Additionally, James Goldsmith's daughter Jemima Goldsmith married Imran Khan, former prime minister of Pakistan.

Goschens

Grady and Chichester

Grants

Grattans

Greenes

Greenwoods

Grenvilles

Greys and related persons

Grieves

  • Percy Grieve (1915–1998), MP 1964–1983.
  • Dominic Grieve (1956–), MP 1997–2019. Son of Percy.

Guests

Guinness (Earl of Iveagh and Baron Moyne) and related persons

Additionally, Arthur Guinness' great-grandson of the same name (through the former's son Hosea) was a politician in a different country: Speaker of the New Zealand House of Representatives.

Gummers

Hampdens

Harcourts

Hardies

Hardings

Harpham and Furniss

  • Harry Harpham (1954–2016), Labour MP 2015–2016.
  • Gill Furniss (1957–), Labour MP 2016–. Widow of Harry; she took over his seat upon his death)

Heathcotes

Hendersons of Faringdon

Hendersons of Rowley

Hendrons

Hicks-Beaches

Hodgeses

Hodgsons

Hoggs (Viscounts Hailsham)

Holmes and Benn

Hoosons

  • Tom Hooson, Conservative MP for Brecon and Radnor
  • his cousin and political opponent, Emlyn Hooson, Baron Hooson, Liberal MP for Montgomeryshire

Hopes

Hopkinsons

Hosie and Robison

Howarths

Howes

Hoyles

  • Doug Hoyle, Baron Hoyle (1930–2024), Labour MP 1974–1979 1981–1997 and life peer.
  • Lindsay Hoyle (1957–), Labour MP 1997–2019 and the Speaker 2019–present. Son of Doug
  • Catherine Swindley, Chorley Borough Councillor. Spouse of Lindsay.
  • Natalie Lewis-Hoyle (1988/1989–2017), parish councillor at Heybridge, Maldon. daughter of Lindsay.
  • Miriam Lewis, district councillor at Maldon, Essex as of 2017. Mother of Natalie Lewis-Hoyle.

Hubbards

Hurds

Husseys

Jacksons

Janners

  • Barnett Janner, Baron Janner (1892–1982), MP for Whitechapel and St Georges (1931–35), MP for Leicester West (1945–50), MP for Leicester North West (1950–1970), Labour life peer
  • Greville Janner, Baron Janner of Braunstone (1928–2015), MP for Leicester West and Leicester North West (1970–1997), Labour life peer

Jays

Jegers

Jenkins

Johnsons

Joneses (Northern England)

Joneses (Wales)

Keens and Heal

Kennedys of Southwark and Cardley

Kinnocks

Knollyses

Lambs

Lancaster and Dinenage

Laws

Lechmeres

Lefroys

Lemons

Levers

Lewises

Lindsays (Earls of Crawford)

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.

Lowthers

Luces

  • Richard Luce (1867–1952), Conservative MP.
  • William Luce (1907–1977), Governor and Commander-in-Chief of Aden (1956–1960). Nephew of Richard.
  • Richard Luce, Baron Luce (1936–), Conservative MP and life peer. Son of William.

Luttrells

Lyons

Maberleys

MacDonalds

MacKay and Kirkbride

Macmillans (Earl of Stockton)

Mahons and Dowd

  • Simon Mahon (1886–1961), Mayor of Bootle 1929.
  • Peter Mahon (1909–1980), MP 1964–1970. Son of Simon.
  • Simon Mahon (1914–1986), MP 1955–1979. Son of Simon.
  • Joseph Mahon, councillor at Bootle. Son of Simon.
  • Peter Dowd (1957–), MP 2015–. Great-nephew of both Peter and Simon.

Mallalieus

Mancrofts

Martins

Maudes

Maxton

  • James Maxton Labour MP 1922–1946
  • John Maxton Labour MP 1979–2001, is a Labour life peer since 2004, Nephew of James

McAteers

Eddie McAteer, one-time leader of the Nationalist Party, 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

McCarthys

McCreas

McGuinnesses

McMahons

McNair-Wilsons

Meachers and Layard

Mileses

Milibands

Millars

Mitchells

  • David Mitchell (1928–2014), Conservative MP 1964–1997.
  • Andrew Mitchell (1956–), Conservative MP 1987–1997 2001–. Son of David.

Morgans

Morleys

Morrises

  • Alf Morris, Labour MP for Manchester Wythenshawe 1964–1997
  • Charles Morris, Labour MP for Manchester Openshaw 1963–83, Alf's brother
  • Estelle Morris, Labour MP for Birmingham Yardley 1992–2005, Secretary of State, Baroness Morris of Yardley from 2005, Charles' daughter

Morrisons

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
  • Peter Mandelson (born 1953), Labour MP for Hartlepool (1992–2004), Cabinet Minister 1998 and as Northern Ireland Secretary 1999–2001, European Commissioner for Trade 2004–2008, Cabinet Minister 2008 – 10; grandson of Herbert Morrison

Mosleys of Ancoats

Mundells

Nairns and Spencer-Nairns

  • Sir Michael Nairn of Rankeilour, 2nd Baronet, Deputy Lieutenant of Fife
  • Sir Douglas Spencer-Nairn, 2nd Baronet (1906–1970), MP for Central Ayrshire 1955–1959. Nephew of Michael.
  • Christopher Frank Spencer-Nairn (1949–), Conservative Westminster candidate at Moray in 2001
  • Humphrey Atkins, Baron Colnbrook (1922–1996), who married Douglas' sister Margaret Spencer-Nairn (1924–2012)

Normans

Nott and Swire

Nuttalls

O'Connells

Ormsby-Gores

Overends

Robert Overend, Vanguard Unionist member of the Northern Ireland Constitutional Convention

Sandra Overend, Ulster Unionist MLA and daughter-in-law of Robert Overend
Billy Armstrong, Ulster Unionist MLA and father of Sandra Overend

Pagets

Paisleys

Patons

Pawseys

Peases

Peels

Pelhams

Percival

  • John Perceval, 2nd Earl of Egmont First Lord of the Admiralty 1763–1766 and sat in the House of Commons for several constituencies.
  • 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.

Perkins

Perrys

Philipses

Pitts (Earl of Chatham) and Stanhopes

Three prominent political dynasties of the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries, interrelated through several marriages.

Plunkett-Ernle-Erle-Drax

Pootses

Prentices

Prices

Priors

Redmonds

Reids

Ridleys

Robinsons

Roes

Rothschilds (Baron Rothschild)

Runcimans

Russells

Sainsburys

Samuels and Montagus

Samuelsons

Sandys

Sarwar

Seymours (Marquess of Hertford)

Sharpleses

Shelleys

Shinwells and Bergers

  • Manny Shinwell, Baron Shinwell, MP 1922–1924 1928–1931 1935–1970 and life peer.
  • Luciana Berger, MP 2010–. Great-niece of Lord Shinwell.

Sillars and MacDonalds

Silkins

  • Lewis Silkin, Labour MP for Peckham 1936–50
  • John Silkin, Labour MP for Deptford 1963–87, Lewis' son
  • Samuel Silkin, Labour MP for Dulwich 1964–83, Lewis' son

Sinclairs

Smiles

  • Sir Walter Smiles, Conservative MP for Blackburn 1931–45, Ulster Unionist MP for Down, then North Down 1945–53
  • Patricia Ford, MP for North Down 1953–1955. Daughter of Walter.
  • Michael Grylls, son-in-law of Patricia Ford, Conservative MP for Chertsey and then North West Surrey
  • Nigel Fisher, MP for Hitchin 1950–1955 and Surbiton 1955–1983. Spouse of Patricia Ford
  • Mark Fisher, son of Nigel Fisher and stepson of Patricia Ford, Labour MP for Stoke-on-Trent Central

Smiths and Abel Smiths (Baron Carrington and Baron Bicester)

Smiths of Gilmorehill

Springs and Spring Rices

Stanleys (Earls of Derby)

Stanleys (Baron Stanley of Alderley)

Sturgeon

St Leger

Summerskills

Swanns

Swinson and Hames

Tennyson (d'Eyncourt)

Todds

  • Alfred Todd, Conservative MP 1929–35
  • Mark Todd, Labour MP 1997–. Grandson of Alfred.

Tugendhats

Tyrwhitt-Drakes

Vane-Tempest-Stewart

Vaz

  • Merlyn Verona Vaz, Leicester City Councillor.
  • Valerie Vaz (1954–), MP for Walsall South 2010–. Daughter of Merlyn and sister of Keith
  • Keith Vaz (1956–), MP for Leicester East 1987–2019 . Son of Merlyn and brother of Valerie.

Villiers (Earl of Clarendon)

Vivians

Wakefields

Walkers

Ward, Seabeck, Raynsford

Watkins

Watts

  • Hamish Watt (1925–2014), SNP MP 1974–1979.
  • Maureen Watt (1951–), SNP MSP 2006–2011 2011. Daughter of Hamish.
  • Stuart Donaldson, SNP MP 2015–17. Son of Maureen.

Whitbreads

Wheatleys

Whites (Baron Annaly)

Wiggins

  • Jerry Wiggin (1937–2015), Conservative MP 1969–1997.
  • Bill Wiggin (1966–), Conservative MP 2001–. Son of Jerry.

Wigrams

Williamses

Williams and Breeses

Wintertons

Wintringhams

Wolfsons

Woods

Yousaf

References

Bibliography

  • 3 volumes.
  • 2 volumes.