House of Wellesley

The House of Wellesley, also known historically as the Wesley family, is an Anglo-Irish noble family whose documented origins are associated with Somerset and whose principal landed and political development took place in Ireland. The family name is linked to the City of Wells and the county of Somerset, while later members established themselves in County Meath and County Kildare. Family tradition reaches back to medieval service in Ireland, including an account of a Wellesley who accompanied Henry II during the English intervention in Ireland in 1172 and received land for service as a royal standard bearer. The early genealogical claims are not equally certain, but the family's lineage is generally traced through Waleran de Wellesley, who is identified in peerage genealogies as an early permanent settler in Ireland during the thirteenth century. The family's later rise followed the extinction of the Wellesley male line in 1728. Garret Wesley died without a surviving male heir, and his cousin Richard Colley inherited the Dangan and Mornington estates in County Meath under a royal licence that enabled the transfer of the family name and arms. Colley adopted the surname Wesley in 1728 and subsequently became a member of the Irish House of Commons, High Sheriff of Meath, and Baron Mornington in the Peerage of Ireland. His son, also named Richard, became the first Earl of Mornington in 1760 and used the Wellesley form of the family name. The family's nineteenth-century prominence was established by the first earl's sons. Richard Wellesley, the second Baron and later second Earl of Mornington, became a soldier, diplomat and politician, serving as Governor-General of India and later holding senior office in Ireland and Britain. He was created Marquess Wellesley in 1799, although his principal titles became extinct because he left no legitimate male heir. Arthur Wellesley became the most famous member of the family. A distinguished British military commander, he defeated Napoleon's forces at Waterloo in 1815 and was created Duke of Wellington. His military career also produced Portuguese, Spanish and Dutch victory titles, including Duke of Victoria, Duke of Ciudad Rodrigo and Prince of Waterloo. Other prominent members included Henry Wellesley, a diplomat who became first Baron Cowley, and William Wellesley-Pole, who inherited the Mornington titles after the death of the second Marquess Wellesley. The Mornington earldom and related Irish titles later passed into the Wellington line. The title Earl of Mornington continues as a courtesy title for the heir apparent to the Marquess of Douro, who is heir apparent to the Duke of Wellington. The family's historic seats included Dangan Castle in County Meath and Mornington House in Dublin. The principal family seat is now Stratfield Saye House in Hampshire, which was acquired for Arthur Wellesley after his military success. Apsley House in London is maintained by English Heritage, although the Wellington family retains an apartment there. The family is not a commercial brand or listed business; its public identity derives from hereditary titles, estates, military and political history, diplomatic service, and continuing participation in British aristocratic life.

The Wellesley family is an Anglo-Irish noble family with historical roots in Somerset and a substantial later presence in Ireland. The family name is associated with the City of Wells and the county of Somerset. Medieval traditions connect an early Wellesley with Henry II's expedition to Ireland in 1172, when service as a royal standard bearer was reportedly rewarded with land in Meath and Kildare. Genealogical accounts identify Waleran de Wellesley, active in the thirteenth century, as an early member to establish the family's permanent Irish connection. Other medieval members held land, castle custody and parliamentary or administrative positions in Ireland. The family's descent into its modern dynastic form followed the inheritance of its estates by Richard Colley after the death of his cousin Garret Wesley in 1728. Garret's death ended the direct male line, so a royal licence permitted Colley to inherit the estates and use the Wesley name and arms. Richard Wesley represented Trim in the Irish House of Commons, served as High Sheriff of Meath, and was created Baron Mornington in 1746. His son became Earl of Mornington in 1760 and adopted the Wellesley spelling, which became especially prominent among later branches. The second Earl of Mornington, Richard Wellesley, developed a career spanning military, diplomatic and political service. He was created Baron Wellesley in the Peerage of Great Britain in 1797 and Marquess Wellesley in the Irish peerage in 1799. He held the office of Governor-General of India and later served in senior governmental roles. Because he had no legitimate children, his British barony and marquessate became extinct at his death in 1842. The remaining Mornington titles passed to his younger brother William Wellesley-Pole, who had inherited the additional surname Pole and was created Baron Maryborough in 1821. William's son, the fourth Earl of Mornington, married Catherine Tylney-Long and assumed additional surnames connected with her inheritance. His financial and personal difficulties contributed to the dispersal and destruction of important family property, including Wanstead House. The fifth Earl of Mornington died unmarried in 1863. The barony of Maryborough then became extinct, while the Irish titles passed to his cousin Arthur Wellesley, second Duke of Wellington. Arthur Wellesley was the family's most internationally renowned figure. He served as a British military commander during the Peninsular War and defeated Napoleon at Waterloo in 1815. His successive elevations produced the titles Marquess of Wellington, Duke of Wellington, Marquess of Douro and related British peerages. Foreign monarchies also granted him victory titles: Portugal made him Duke of Victoria and granted the marquessate of Torres Vedras and county of Vimeiro; Spain made him Duke of Ciudad Rodrigo; and the Netherlands granted him the title Prince of Waterloo. The Wellington line subsequently inherited the Mornington earldom and other titles in 1863. The family has maintained connections with public life, diplomacy and the British honours system. Five Dukes of Wellington have been Knights of the Garter. Its historic Irish residences included Dangan Castle and Mornington House, while Stratfield Saye House in Hampshire became the principal family seat. Apsley House in London, the former Wellington residence, is now administered by English Heritage, with the family retaining private accommodation. The Wellesley family therefore remains a hereditary aristocratic house rather than a conventional commercial brand.

• 1863

  Mornington titles pass to the Wellington line

  [1]Wellesley familyen.wikipedia.org

  After the death of the fifth Earl of Mornington, the Irish titles were inherited by Arthur Wellesley, second Duke of Wellington.

• 1815

  Victory at Waterloo

  [1]Wellesley familyen.wikipedia.org

  Arthur Wellesley led the allied army at the Battle of Waterloo and became associated with one of Britain's most prominent military titles.

• 1814

  Arthur Wellesley becomes Duke of Wellington

  [1]Wellesley familyen.wikipedia.org

  Arthur Wellesley received the dukedom following his military successes in the Peninsular War and the defeat of Napoleon.

• 1799

  Richard Wellesley becomes Marquess Wellesley

  [1]Wellesley familyen.wikipedia.org

  The second Earl of Mornington was elevated to the Irish marquessate of Wellesley.

• 1760

  Creation of the Earldom of Mornington

  [1]Wellesley familyen.wikipedia.org

  Richard Wesley's son became the first Earl of Mornington and Viscount Wellesley.

• 1746

  Creation of the Barony of Mornington

  [1]Wellesley familyen.wikipedia.org

  Richard Wesley was created Baron Mornington in the Peerage of Ireland.

• 1728

  Richard Colley inherits the family estates

  [1]Wellesley familyen.wikipedia.org

  After Garret Wesley's death, Richard Colley inherited Dangan and Mornington and received permission to adopt the Wesley surname.

• Traditional association with Henry II's Irish expedition

  [1]Wellesley familyen.wikipedia.org

  Family tradition records that a Wellesley served as Henry II's standard bearer during the English intervention in Ireland and received land for that service.

• Waleran de Wellesley associated with Ireland

  [1]Wellesley familyen.wikipedia.org

  Peerage genealogies identify Waleran de Wellesley as an early member of the family to settle permanently in Ireland.

A historic Anglo-Irish aristocratic house associated with hereditary peerages, military leadership, diplomacy, public office and landed estates rather than commercial products or services.

1. 1Wellesley familyen.wikipedia.org