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| Earldom of Swinton | |
|---|---|
  Arms: Quarterly: 1st & 4th, Ermine, on a Fess Sable, three Mullets Or, and for distinction a Cross-Crosslet Sable (Lister); 2nd, Sable, three Conies courant Argent, and for distinction a Cross-Crosslet Argent (Cunliffe); 3rd, Or, two Chevronels Sable, on a Chief Sable, three Escallops Or (Greame). Crests: Centre: a Stag’s Head proper, erased Or, attired Sable, charged on the neck, for distinction, with a Cross-Crosslet Sable (Lister). Dexter: a Greyhound sejant Argent, collared with a ring attached Sable, charged on the shoulder, for distinction, with a Cross-Crosslet Sable (Cunliffe). Sinister: on a Mount Vert, a Pair of Wings addorsed Or semée of Escallops Sable (Greame). Supporters: On either side a Stag proper, collared with a Chain Or, suspended therefrom to the dexter a Rose Argent, and to the sinister an Escallop Argent. | |
| Creation date | 5 May 1955 |
| Created by | Queen Elizabeth II |
| Peerage | Peerage of the United Kingdom |
| First holder | Philip Cunliffe-Lister, 1st Earl of Swinton |
| Present holder | Mark William Philip Cunliffe-Lister, 4th Earl of Swinton |
| Heir apparent | William Edward Cunliffe-Lister, Lord Masham |
| Remainder to | the 1st Earl's heirs male of the body lawfully begotten |
| Subsidiary titles | Viscount Swinton Baron Masham |
| Seat(s) | Dykes Hill House |
| Former seat(s) | Swinton Park |
| Motto | 1st: RETINENS VESTIGIA FAMÆ (Maintaining the tradition of fame) (Lister); 2nd: FIDELITER (Faithfully) (Cunliffe); 3rd: C’EST LA VIRTU SEUL QUI DONNE LA NOBLESSE (Virtue alone confers nobility) (Greame). |
Earl of Swinton is a title in the Peerage of the United Kingdom. It was created in 1955 for the prominent Conservative politician Philip Cunliffe-Lister, 1st Viscount Swinton.[1] He had already been created Viscount Swinton, of Masham in the County of York, in 1935,[2] and was made Baron Masham, of Ellington in the County of York, at the same time he was given the earldom. Born Philip Lloyd-Greame, he was the husband of Mary Constance "Molly" Boynton, granddaughter of Samuel Cunliffe-Lister, 1st Baron Masham. When his wife inherited the large Masham estates in 1924, they assumed the surname of Cunliffe-Lister in lieu of Lloyd-Greame.
The earl was succeeded by his grandson, who became the second earl. He was the eldest son of Major the Hon. John Yarburgh Cunliffe-Lister, who was killed in the Second World War. Lord Swinton notably served as Captain of the Yeomen of the Guard (deputy chief government whip in the House of Lords) from 1982 to 1986 in the Conservative administration of Margaret Thatcher. His wife was Susan Cunliffe-Lister, Baroness Masham of Ilton. As of 2021[update] the titles are held by Lord Swinton's nephew, the fourth earl, who succeeded his father in that year.
The title is named after Swinton Park near Masham, North Yorkshire. The family seat is now Dykes Hill House, also near Masham.
- ^ "No. 40470". The London Gazette. 6 May 1955. p. 2619.
- ^ "No. 34226". The London Gazette. 3 December 1935. p. 7659.