Fleetwood (noble family)

Fleetwood is an Anglo-Swedish Baronial family, number 49 on the Swedish Riddarhuset. The family is descended from Lancashire in England. The oldest member known by name is William Fleetwood, mentioned 1320, however, documented information about the family starts in the 16th century.

Thomas Fleetwood (1518-1570) originated from Heskin, Lancashire and purchased the manor of the Vache in Chalfont, Buckinghamshire in 1564. He was a member of parliament and a judge, and Master of the Royal Mint under King Henry VIII. He was granted the family's arms on 4 July 1548, which is still used by the family.

The Vache was inherited by Sir George Fleetwood who died December 1620. It passed to his son Charles Fleetwood (died 1628) the father of George Fleetwood, who inherited the estate on the death of his father. George fought for Parliament during the English Civil War, and was one of the commissioners for trial of Charles I. He held various offices during the Interregnum, including a seat in Cromwell's House of Lords but after the Restoration was found guilty of regicide and although he was spared execution, his estate of The Vache confiscated and given to the Duke of York. After serving a number of years in prison he may have emigrated to America.

Another grandson of Thomas Fleetwood, Sir Miles Fleetwood (1576–1640) of Aldwinckle in Northants was a knight and a member of parliament.

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