The progenitor of the family was a companion of Strongbow, from whom he obtained grant for extensive lands in Waterford in the 11th century.[1] The barony was created in 1535 for
Sir Richard le Poer. James Power,
3rd Earl of Tyrone, who was also the 8th Baron Power, held both his titles by letters patent (dated 1535 and 1637 respectively), which specified that the titles would be inherited by heirs male of the grantee. When he died in 1704 however, his only child was a daughter, Lady Catharine Power. Lady Catharine therefore inherited the land. Lady Catharine grew up and married in 1717 an Irish politician, Sir Marcus Beresford, 4th Baronet.[3] After a lawsuit with John Power, Sir Marcus and Lady Catharine retained the Power property, and Sir Marcus was raised into the peerage of Ireland by creating him
Viscount Tyrone in 1720. In 1720, he was created both
Baron Beresford, of Beresford, in the
County of Cavan, and
Viscount Tyrone in the
peerage of Ireland. After the Jacobite rebellion of 1745, he was further elevated in 1746 as
Earl of Tyrone in the peerage of Ireland (the same name of title as that of his father-in-law, but a new creation). In 1767, four years after his death, the Dowager Countess of Tyrone was confirmed with the hereditary peerage title
Baroness La Poer in the peerage of Ireland (created by writ ca. 1650). Lord Tyrone was succeeded by his fourth but eldest surviving son, the second Earl, who also inherited the title Baron La Poer from his mother in 1769. In 1786 he was created
Baron Tyrone, of
Haverfordwest in the County of Pembroke, in the
peerage of Great Britain. Three years later he was made
Marquess of Waterford in the peerage of Ireland. The titles descended in the direct line until the death of his grandson, the third Marquess, in 1859. The late Marquess was succeeded by his younger brother, the fourth Marquess. the titles are held by the latter's great-great-great-grandson, the ninth Marquess, who succeeded his father in 2015. , younger son of the first Earl of Tyrone and one of the most influential members of the Beresford family. Several other members of the Beresford family have also gained distinction.
John Beresford, fifth son of the first Earl, was an influential statesman.
Marcus Beresford, eldest son of John Beresford, represented
Dungarvan in the Irish Parliament. His second son was the
Conservative politician
William Beresford, who was the father of Mostyn Beresford (1835–1911), a
Lieutenant-General in the Army, and of Edward Marcus Beresford (1836–1896), a
Major-General in the Army. The Right Reverend
George Beresford, second son of John Beresford, was
Bishop of Kilmore. His son the Most Reverend
Marcus Beresford was
Archbishop of Armagh. He was the father of
George Beresford, a politician, and of Major Henry Marcus Beresford, who was the father of the photographer
George Charles Beresford.
John Claudius Beresford, third son of John Beresford, was a politician.
William Beresford, seventh son of the first Earl, was
Archbishop of Tuam and was created
Baron Decies in 1812.
Lord John Beresford, second surviving son of the first Marquess, was
Archbishop of Armagh.
Lord George Beresford, younger son of the first Marquess, was a politician.
William Beresford, illegitimate son of the first Marquess, was a Field Marshal in the
British Army and was created
Viscount Beresford in 1823.
John Beresford, illegitimate son of the first Marquess, was a soldier and politician and was created a baronet in 1814 (see
Beresford-Peirse baronets).
Lord Charles Beresford, second son of the fourth Marquess, was a naval commander and politician and was created Baron Beresford in 1916.
Lord William Beresford, third son of the fourth Marquess, was a soldier and recipient of the
Victoria Cross.
Lord Marcus Beresford, fourth son of the fourth Marquess, was a courtier. The
Henry Beresford, 3rd Marquess of Waterford enjoyed partying as much as sport. He was one of several wild sportsmen who sprayed the tollgate and houses of Melton Mowbray with red paint. The phrase “painting the town red” was born. The eldest son of the Marquess is styled with the
courtesy title Earl of Tyrone and the Earl's eldest son as
Lord Le Poer. Additionally, the Marquess club is White's, where the family have been members since the 18th century. The family seat is
Curraghmore, near
Portlaw,
County Waterford, in the
Republic of Ireland. The Beresford family, owned land in various parts of Ireland, including almost 40,000 acres in county Waterford, 26,000 in county Wicklow and over 4,500 acres in county Leitrim. The family remain amongst the largest land owners in all Ireland. All but the 4th Lord Waterford was awarded the Order of Saint Patrick. The 6th Lord Waterford was the last to receive the honour. A special treasure of the family is a necklace of pearls, once the property of Mary Queen of Scots, who gave it to Mary Hamilton the night before the Queen’s execution. Not to be confused with the ancient title (created in 1446 and still extant) of
Earl of Waterford (also in the peerage of Ireland) of the
Earl of Shrewsbury (the Earl of Waterford is also
Lord High Steward of Ireland). ==Beresford baronets, of Colerain (1665–present)==