Earl of Carnarvon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Earldom of Carnarvon |
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Arms of Herbert: Per pale azure and gules three lions rampant argent a crescent for difference
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| Creation date | 3 July 1793 |
| Creation | Third |
| Monarch | George III |
| Peerage | Peerage of Great Britain |
| First holder | Henry Herbert, 1st Baron Porchester |
| Present holder | George Herbert, 8th Earl of Carnarvon |
| Heir apparent | George Herbert, Lord Porchester |
| Remainder to | 1st Earl's heirs male of the body lawfully begotten |
| Subsidiary titles | Baron Porchester (17 October 1780) |
| Seat(s) | Highclere Castle |
| Motto | Ung je serviray ('I will serve but one master') |
The title of Earl of Carnarvon is a special honor that has been created three times in British history. It's like a very old and important family title. The person who holds this title today is George Herbert, 8th Earl of Carnarvon. The name "Carnarvon" comes from a town and county in Wales. Its original Welsh name, Caer-yn-Arfon, means "fortification opposite the island of Mona," which is now called Anglesey.
Contents
A Look at the Past: Three Creations
The title of Earl of Carnarvon has been created for different families at different times. This means the title was given out, then stopped, and then given out again to a new family.
The First Earls (1628)
The very first time the title of Earl of Carnarvon was created was in 1628. This was for a person named Robert Dormer. This title eventually ended in 1709. If you want to learn more about this family, you can look up Baron Dormer.
The Second Earls (1714)
The second time the title was created was in 1714. This honor went to James Brydges. He later received even more titles, becoming the Marquess of Carnarvon and the Duke of Chandos. This line of the title ended in 1789. You can find more information about this family by searching for Duke of Chandos.
The Herbert Family: The Third Creation (1793)
The third and current creation of the Earl of Carnarvon title happened in 1793. This was for Henry Herbert. Before becoming an Earl, he was known as Baron Porchester since 1780. Henry Herbert was also a Member of Parliament, which means he helped make laws in the House of Commons. He was the son of Major-General William Herbert.
Famous Earls and Their Discoveries
Henry Herbert's eldest son, Henry George Herbert, became the second Earl. Later, his son, Henry John George Herbert, became the third Earl.
One of the most famous Earls was Henry Howard Molyneux Herbert, the fourth Earl. He was an important politician who served as the Secretary of State for the Colonies and as the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland.
His son, George Herbert, the fifth Earl, is especially famous for something amazing! He helped fund the discovery of the ancient Egyptian pharaoh Tutankhamun's tomb with archaeologist Howard Carter. This was a huge historical find!
The Current Earl and His Family
As of 2025, the current holder of the title is George Herbert, 8th Earl of Carnarvon, who became Earl in 2001. He is the great-grandson of the fifth Earl.
Many other members of the Herbert family have also done interesting things. For example, William Herbert, the third son of the first Earl, was a clergyman and a well-known botanist (someone who studies plants). Sir Robert George Wyndham Herbert, another family member, was an important government official for many years.
Auberon Herbert, the second son of the third Earl, was a writer and philosopher. He also served as a Member of Parliament. His grandson, Auberon Herbert, later inherited another important title, becoming the ninth Baron Lucas of Crudwell.
Aubrey Herbert, the second son of the fourth Earl, was also a Member of Parliament. His daughter, Laura Herbert, married the famous novelist Evelyn Waugh.
Highclere Castle: A Special Home
The main home for the Herbert family, the Earls of Carnarvon, is Highclere Castle in Hampshire, England. This beautiful castle is famous because it was used as a filming location for the popular TV show Downton Abbey. The family's traditional burial place is a special mausoleum at Highclere Castle.
The Earls of Carnarvon (Third Creation)
This section lists the people who have held the title of Earl of Carnarvon in the third creation.
Baron Porchester (1780)
- Henry Herbert, 1st Baron Porchester (1741–1811) was given the title of Earl of Carnarvon in 1793.
Earls of Carnarvon (1793)
- Henry Herbert, 1st Earl of Carnarvon (1741–1811)
- Henry George Herbert, 2nd Earl of Carnarvon (1772–1833)
- Henry John George Herbert, 3rd Earl of Carnarvon (1800–1849)
- Henry Howard Molyneux Herbert, 4th Earl of Carnarvon (1831–1890)
- George Edward Stanhope Molyneux Herbert, 5th Earl of Carnarvon (1866–1923), famous for helping discover Tutankhamun's tomb.
- Henry George Alfred Marius Victor Francis Herbert, 6th Earl of Carnarvon (1898–1987)
- Henry George Reginald Molyneux Herbert, 7th Earl of Carnarvon (1924–2001)
- George Reginald Oliver Molyneux Herbert, 8th Earl of Carnarvon (born 1956)
As of 2025, the next person in line to inherit the title is the current Earl's elder son, George Kenneth Oliver Molyneux Herbert, Lord Porchester (born 1992).
The 8th Earl of Carnarvon was once next in line for the titles of Earl of Pembroke and Earl of Montgomery. However, after the birth of Reginald Henry Michael, Lord Herbert, in 2012, the 8th Earl of Carnarvon is now third in line for those titles.
Family Symbols: The Coat of Arms
A coat of arms is a special design that represents a family or a noble title. Here's what the Herbert Earls of Carnarvon's coat of arms looks like:
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The motto UNG JE SERVIRAY means "I will serve but one master."
See also
- Herbert family
- Earl of Pembroke
- Baron Lucas of Crudwell
