Napier baronets facts for kids
A baronetcy is a special title given by the British King or Queen. It's like being a knight, but the title can be passed down through the family, usually from father to son. People with this title are called "Baronets" (for men) or "Baronetesses" (for women).
The Napier family has had five different baronet titles created for them over time. Three of these were created in England, one in Scotland (called Nova Scotia), and one for the whole United Kingdom. As of 2014, two of these Napier baronet titles still exist today.
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What is a Baronetcy?
A baronetcy is a very old and special honor. It's a bit like a hereditary knighthood. This means that once someone is made a baronet, their oldest son can usually inherit the title when they pass away. It's a rank below a baron (a type of noble) but above a knight.
The different "Baronetages" (like Baronetage of England or Baronetage of the United Kingdom) simply refer to the country or time period when the title was created.
The Napier Baronetcies
The Napier family has a long history with these special titles. Let's look at the different baronet titles created for them.
Napier Baronets of Luton Hoo (1611)
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This was the first baronetcy created for a Napier. It was given to Sir Robert Napier on September 24, 1611. The title was linked to his home in Luton Hoo, which is in the county of Bedford, England. This baronetcy ended in 1748 when the sixth baronet died without anyone to inherit the title.
- Sir Robert Napier, 1st Baronet (1560–1637)
- Sir Robert Napier, 2nd Baronet (c. 1603–1661)
- Sir Robert Napier, 3rd Baronet (died 1675)
- Sir John Napier, 4th Baronet (1636–1711)
- Sir Theophilus Napier, 5th Baronet (1672–1719)
- Sir John Napier, 6th Baronet (died 1748)
Napier Baronets of Merchistoun (1627)
This baronetcy was created for Archibald Napier on March 2, 1627. It was linked to Merchistoun in Midlothian, Scotland. Later that same year, Archibald Napier was also given a higher noble title, becoming "Lord Napier."
The baronetcy became "dormant" in 1683. This means it wasn't officially used for a while because there was no clear heir. However, in 1817, a family member successfully proved he was the rightful heir and the title was brought back. The 13th Baronet moved to South Africa, and the current 14th Baronet lives there today.
- Archibald Napier, 1st Lord Napier, 1st Baronet (c. 1575–1645)
- Archibald Napier, 2nd Lord Napier, 2nd Baronet (c. 1625–1660)
- Archibald Napier, 3rd Lord Napier, 3rd Baronet (died 1683)
- Sir Alexander Napier, ''de jure'' 4th Baronet (died 1702)
- Sir John Napier, ''de jure'' 5th Baronet (1686–1735)
- Sir William Napier, ''de jure'' 6th Baronet (died c. 1775)
- Sir Robert John Milliken-Napier, ''de jure'' 7th Baronet (1765–1808)
- Sir William John Milliken-Napier, 8th Baronet (1788–1852)
- Sir Robert John Milliken-Napier, 9th Baronet (1818–1884)
- Sir Archibald Lennox Milliken Napier, 10th Baronet (1855–1907)
- Sir Alexander Lennox Napier, 11th Baronet (1882–1954)
- Sir Robert Archibald Napier, MBE, 12th Baronet (1889–1965)
- Sir William Archibald Napier, 13th Baronet (1915–1990)
- Sir John Archibald Lennox Napier, 14th Baronet (born 1946)
The person expected to inherit this title next is Hugh Robert Lennox Napier, the current baronet's only son. He was born in 1977.
Napier Baronets of Middle Marsh (1641)
This baronetcy was created for Sir Gerrard Napier on June 25, 1641. It was connected to Middle Marsh in Dorset, England. This title also ended when the sixth baronet died in 1765, as there was no one left to inherit it.
- Sir Gerrard Napier, 1st Baronet (1606–1673)
- Sir Nathaniel Napier, 2nd Baronet (c. 1636–1709)
- Sir Nathaniel Napier, 3rd Baronet (c. 1668–1728)
- Sir William Napier, 4th Baronet (c. 1696–1753)
- Sir Gerrard Napier, 5th Baronet (c. 1701–1759)
- Sir Gerrard Napier, 6th Baronet (c. 1740–1765)
Napier Baronets of Punknoll (1682)
This baronetcy was created for another Robert Napier on February 25, 1682. He was the nephew of Sir Gerrard Napier from the Middle Marsh baronetcy. This title likely ended in 1743 when the second baronet died.
- Sir Robert Napier, 1st Baronet (c. 1640–1700)
- Sir Charles Napier, 2nd Baronet (c. 1673–1743)
Napier Baronets of Merrion Square (1867)
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The most recent Napier baronetcy was created on April 9, 1867. It was given to Joseph Napier, a well-known politician. He was a member of the Conservative Party and had served as the Lord Chancellor of Ireland. This important role meant he was the chief judge and legal advisor in Ireland.
- Sir Joseph Napier, 1st Baronet (1804–1882)
- Sir Joseph Napier, 2nd Baronet (1841–1884)
- Sir William Lennox Napier, 3rd Baronet (1867–1915)
- Lt-Col. Sir Joseph William Lennox Napier, OBE, 4th Baronet (1895–1986)
- Sir Robert Surtees Napier, 5th Baronet (1932–1994)
- Sir Charles Joseph Napier, 6th Baronet (born 1973)
See also
