Grosvenor family, Dukes of Westminster

The Grosvenor family was settled in Cheshire in the 12th century, and acquired Eaton (near Chester) through marriage in the 15th century. Mining interests in Denbighshire and Flintshire were acquired mainly in 1601. The Halkyn and Holywell (Flintshire) estates were purchased in 1704 and 1809 respectively. Wymondley (Hertfordshire) was acquired through the marriage of Sir Richard Grosvenor, 4th Bt, to Diana Warburton in 1724 but sold in 1767.

Through the marriage of Sir Thomas Grosvenor, 3rd baronet, to Mary, daughter of Alexander Davies of Ebury (Middlesex), the valuable metropolitan estates of Mayfair, Belgravia and Pimlico came to the Grosvenors. The two latter were developed principally from the 1820s.

Estates in Dorset, Wiltshire, Hertfordshire and elsewhere were acquired in the early 19th century, but were left to younger sons. The Moor Park (Hertfordshire) estate passed to Lord Robert Grosvenor (third son of the 1st Marquess of Westminster), created Baron Ebury in 1857, and the Motcombe (Dorset etc.) passed to Lord Richard Grosvenor (second surviving son of the 2nd Marquess), who was created Baron Stalbridge in 1886.

The 1st Duke of Westminster (1825-99, so created 1874) owned Cliveden (Buckinghamshire) between 1869 and 1893, and the 2nd Duke acquired properties in Scotland and elsewhere in the early 20th century.

Estates in 1883: Duke of Westminster: 15,138 acres in Cheshire; 246 acres in Buckinghamshire; 3,621 acres in Flintshire; 744 acres in Denbighshire; worth a total of £38,994, excluding the London property. Dowager Marchioness of Westminster (later inherited by Lord Stalbridge): 6,794 acres in Dorset and 4,112 acres in Wiltshire, worth a total of £26,958 a year.