The Descendants and Legacy of the Title Holder
The continuation of a family lineage often depends on the complex intersections of marriage, birth, and legal decrees. In this particular instance, the family history is marked by strategic unions with the British nobility and a transition of identity through legal channels after a title ceased to exist.
The lineage began with the marriage of the title holder to Lady Mary Fortescue, who was the daughter of Hugh Fortescue, the 1st Earl Fortescue.
Key Facts
- The title became extinct upon the holder's death because he had only daughters.
- The holder married Lady Mary Fortescue, daughter of the 1st Earl Fortescue.
- The family produced three daughters: Susan, Mary Eleanor, and Edwina Augusta.
- A granddaughter later adopted the name Hamlyn via Royal Licence.
The Daughters and Their Marriages
The title holder and Lady Mary Fortescue had three daughters, each of whom married into prominent families.
Susan Hamlyn-Fane
The eldest daughter, Susan, married Henry Hamlyn Fane. Her branch of the family would later play a significant role in preserving the family name.
Mary Eleanor
Mary Eleanor married Sir James Williams-Drummond, who served as the 3rd Baronet from 1814 until 1866.
Edwina Augusta
The third daughter, Edwina Augusta, married Sir John Ferguson Davie, the 2nd Baronet.
The Extinction of the Title and the Hamlyn Name
In the British peerage, many titles are governed by rules of primogeniture, which often require a male heir to inherit. Because the title holder had only daughters, the title became extinct—meaning it legally ceased to exist—upon his death.
Despite the loss of the title, the family legacy continued through a legal process known as a Royal Licence, a formal document issued by the monarch allowing a person to change their surname.
The granddaughter of the title holder (the daughter of Susan Hamlyn-Fane) married Frederick Gosling. To honor the family lineage, Frederick Gosling changed his name to Hamlyn by Royal Licence.
![Arms of Frederick Hamlyn[3]](/images/d1/4b/d14b769408cdf585b0eeecd67f351924b6f2abb97fd68f716fbdd79699218cc8.webp)
Family Lineage Summary
| Family Member | Spouse | Relation/Note |
|---|---|---|
| Title Holder | Lady Mary Fortescue | Husband and Wife |
| Susan | Henry Hamlyn Fane | Eldest Daughter |
| Mary Eleanor | Sir James Williams-Drummond | Daughter (3rd Baronet) |
| Edwina Augusta | Sir John Ferguson Davie | Daughter (2nd Baronet) |
| Granddaughter | Frederick Gosling (Hamlyn) | Name changed via Royal Licence |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the title become extinct?
The title became extinct because the holder had only daughters and no male heir to inherit the position upon his death.
Who was Lady Mary Fortescue?
Lady Mary Fortescue was the wife of the title holder and the daughter of Hugh Fortescue, the 1st Earl Fortescue.
How did Frederick Gosling become Frederick Hamlyn?
He changed his name by Royal Licence after marrying the granddaughter of the title holder (the daughter of Susan Hamlyn-Fane).
Who did Mary Eleanor marry?
Mary Eleanor married Sir James Williams-Drummond, the 3rd Baronet, who lived from 1814 to 1866.
Which daughter was the eldest?
Susan Hamlyn-Fane was the eldest daughter of the title holder and Lady Mary Fortescue.