The Noble and Gentle Men of England / or, notes touching the arms and descents of the ancient knightly and gentle houses of England, arranged in their respective counties.

by Evelyn Philip Shirley

Arms.—Azure, a fess dancettée, the two upper points terminating in fleurs-de-lis or.

Present Representative, William Henry Francis Plowden, Esq.

Acton of Aldenham, Baronet 1643-4.

Engelard de Acton, of Acton-Pigot and Acton-Burnell, was admitted on the Roll of Guild Merchants of Shrewsbury in 1209. His descendant Edward de Acton, of Aldenham, married the coheiress of Le'Strange, living in 1387, and with her acquired an estate in Longnor, in this county. The baronetcy was the reward of loyalty in the beginning of the great rebellion.

General Acton, Prime Minister to the King of Naples for twenty-nine years, commencing in 1778, was a distinguished member of this family.

See Wotton's Baronetage, ii. 398; Blakeway, pp. 54, 174.

Arms.—Gules, crusilly or, two lions passant in pale argent. This coat is evidently founded on that of Le'Strange.

Present Representative, Sir John Emerick Edward Dalberg Acton, 8th Baronet.

Whitmore of Apley.