Earldom of Rotherham
| Earldom of Rotherham | |
| Creation Date | 1579 |
|---|---|
| Created by | Elizabeth |
| Peerage | England |
| First Holder | James Fitzgerald |
| Current Holder | Richard Fitzgerald |
| Heir Apparent | Richard Fitzgerald |
| Subsidiary Titles | Viscount Surrey |
| Country Seat | Rotherham Park |
| Associated County | Yorkshire, Derbyshire, Cheshire |
The Earldom of Rotherham is a hereditary title in the Peerage of England. The first holder of the title was James Fitzgerald, 11th Viscount Surrey.
History
The Fitzgerald family is an ancient family whose precise origins are lost to the mist of time, probably purposefully done to lose their probable Irish beginnings. A Sir Godfrey Fitzgerald is mentioned in the Doomsday Book, however, linked to the ownership of large estates in the south east of England.
The Viscountcy of Surrey was awarded to Sir Edgar Fitzgerald in 1356 by Edward III for services rendered in the Battle of Poitiers. The family remained and grew in power and wealth in the south east. After Charles, the 10th Viscount, aligned himself with the Protestant faith in the wake of England's break with Rome under Henry VIII, the fortunes of the family changed and their seat of power shifted. Under the reign of Queen Mary, much of the old estates were lost but his son, James, a shrewd politician, became one of Queen Elizabeth's trusted advisors. The Queen rewarded him with the creation of the Earldom of Rotherham in 1579 and the gift of extensive land in the north of England. The first earl selected the village of Rotherham, from which the title was taken, as his principal seat, overshadowing the ancient Devenish family who had been squires of the area for many centuries.
While the fortunes of the family have fluctuated, notably in the 17th century, the 18th century brought them increased prosperity and influence. Supporters of the Glorious Revolution and notable Whigs, the family experienced its glory days under the 6th and 7th Earls. The 6th Earl was responsible for the expansion of lands across into Cheshire and the building of Surrey Lodge for his son and it was the 7th Earl who, inspired by travels to the continent, rebuilt Rotherham Park, up to this point a sturdy Elizabethan manor house, in the latest Palladian fashion.
The current Earl is Richard Fitzgerald and the lineage is secure for the following two generations.
List of Earls of Rotherham (1579)
- James Fitzgerald, 1st Earl of Rotherham, 11th Viscount Surrey (1509-1590)
- Peter Fitzgerald, 2nd Earl of Rotherham, 12th Viscount Surrey (1587-1640)
- John Fitzgerald, 3rd Earl of Rotherham, 13th Viscount Surrey (1619-1673)
- James Fitzgerald, 4th Earl of Rotherham, 14th Viscount Surrey (1653-1702)
- Lawrence Fitzgerald, 5th Earl of Rotherham, 15th Viscount Surrey (1678-1719)
- Robert Fitzgerald, 6th Earl of Rotherham, 16th Viscount Surrey (1698-1763)
- Andrew Fitzgerald, 7th Earl of Rotherham, 17th Viscount Surrey (1724-1789)
- Richard Fitzgerald, 8th Earl of Rotherham, 18th Viscount Surrey (born 1752)
The heir apparent is the current Earl's son, Richard Fitzgerald, 19th Viscount Surrey.