Middleton family

Family of Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge

Coat of arms granted to Michael Francis Middleton (the father of Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge) on 19 April 2011, as the armigerous head of the family
Ethnicity	English
Current region	Bucklebury, West Berkshire, England
Earlier spellings	Middeltone, Mideltuna, Middeltune
Place of origin	United Kingdom
Members	Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge Michael Francis Middleton Carole Elizabeth Middleton Philippa Charlotte Middleton James William Middleton Captain Peter Middleton
Connected families	Lupton Goldsmith British Royal Family Matthews

Members of the Middleton family have been related to the British Royal Family by marriage since the wedding of Catherine "Kate" Middleton and Prince William in April 2011 when she became HRH The Duchess of Cambridge.

By the early 19th century, the Middleton family was established in the West Riding of Yorkshire as cultural and civic figures, particularly in the legal profession. The law firm, Messrs Middleton and Sons, was founded in Leeds by gentleman farmer and solicitor William Middleton Esq. of Gledhow Grange Estate. The family firm existed for over 150 years, closing in 1985.

William Middleton's descendants include Richard Noel Middleton, a solicitor who was one of the founders of the Yorkshire Symphony Orchestra. Richard Noel's son was Captain Peter Middleton, who was Prince Philip's co-pilot on a tour of South America. Peter Middleton's son is entrepreneur Michael Francis Middleton whose children are; Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, socialite and columnist Pippa Middleton, and businessman James William Middleton.

Another descendant is solicitor Henry Dubs Middleton, who was chairman of the Leeds General Infirmary. The Middletons were described as "friends of British royalty" to whom, in their civic capacity, they "played host as long ago as 1926".

Michael Middleton's relatives were solicitors in the Leeds-based family firm, Messrs Middleton and Sons. His grandfather Richard Noel Middleton, great-grandfather John William Middleton, Esq. (1839-1887), and great-great-grandfather William Middleton were solicitors. Richard Noel was one of the founders of the Yorkshire Symphony Orchestra and a director of William Lupton and Sons, the wool manufacturing firm his wife Olive, had inherited in 1921. Michael Middleton's niece, Lucy Middleton, is a solicitor.