Knightly.
Fitzwilliam of Wentworth House; Earl Fitzwilliam 1746; Baron of Ireland 1620.
William FitzGodric, who married Albreda de Lizours, Lady of Sprotsborough, in this county, and who died before 1195, is the remote ancestor of this ancient house. Their son, William FitzWilliam, was seated at Sprotsborough in the reign of Henry II., and here the family continued till the extinction of the elder line, which ended in coheiresses in the reign of Henry VIII.
The rise of this branch of the family must be ascribed to Sir William Fitzwilliam, Lord Justice, and afterwards Lord Deputy of Ireland, in the reign of Elizabeth, whose grandson was created Baron Fitzwilliam in 1620. In the year 1565, Hugh Fitzwilliam collected whatever evidences could be found touching the descent of the family. This account, which is in the possession of Earl Fitzwilliam, is the foundation of most of the histories of this great family, whose present Yorkshire property came from the Wentworths through the coheiress of the Marquis of Rockingham in 1744. From this match resulted the Earldom in 1746.
See Hunter's South Yorkshire, vol. i. p. 331, vol. ii. p. 93; and Brydges's Collins, vol. iv. p. 374.
Arms.—Lozengy argent and gules. The present coat, except that ermine takes the place of argent, was borne by Thomas Fitzwilliam in the reign of Henry III. In that of Richard II. William Fitzwilliam bore the arms as at present used.
Present Representative, William Thomas Spencer Wentworth-Fitzwilliam, K.G. 6th Earl Fitzwilliam.
Scrope of Danby.