There have been threebaronetcies created in theBaronetage of England for members of theSkipwith family of Skipwith, Yorkshire, which relocated to Lincolnshire in the 14th century. They were a successful court family, with one member, Margaret Skipwith, seen as a possible queen of England after the death ofHenry VIII's third wife,Jane Seymour. One creation of the baronetcy is extant as of 2008.
The surname Skipwith is derived from Old English "sceap" (sheep) and Old Norse "vath" (ford or wading place). One ancient Skipwith coat of arms is blazoned "Argent, three bars Gules, in chief a greyhound courant Sable."
Arms: Argent three Bars Gules in chief a Greyhound courant Sable; Crest: A Turnstile proper; Motto: Sans Dieu Je Ne Puis (Without God I am not able)[1]
The Skipwith Baronetcy, ofPrestwould in the County of Leicester, was created in the Baronetage of England on 20 December 1622 for the son ofSir William Henry Skipwith, the poetHenry Skipwith (b. 21 Mar 1589, Prestwould Manor,Coates,Leicestershire). The third Baronet, Sir Grey, emigrated toVirginia in the middle of the 17th century. The next five Baronets were all born in Virginia. During the American Revolution, the seventh Baronet, Sir Peyton, continued to use his title throughout the war. His son, Grey, who was left an estate bySir Thomas George Skipwith, 4th Baronet, moved to England by 1801. In 1805 after his father died, Grey became the eighth Baronet and sat asMember of Parliament forWarwickshire andWarwickshire South.[2]
Sir Henry Skipwith, 1st Baronet (died 1655) * his brother-in-laws wereSir Dudley Digges andSir John Chicheley, making him an uncle by marriage to Commonwealth era Governor of Virginia,Edward Digges 1655-56, and Acting/Lt Gov. SirHenry Chicheley. Sir Henry Chicheley was granted pass to leave for Virginia in April 1650, and must have been on one of the last ships to depart England that year. In fall 1650, theCommonwealth of England banned all trade and travel with the colonies, until an armed force was dispatched in fall 1651, that did not arrive until January 1652.
Sir Gray Skipwith, 3rd Baronet (1622–died c. 1671) emigrated and died in Virginia. He settled in Lancaster County across the river from his brother-in-law (via sister Diana Skipwith - 1621-1696) MajorEdward Dale (burgess), which later became part ofMiddlesex County, Virginia.
The coat of arms of the Skipwiths of Newbold Hall[3]
The Skipwith Baronetcy, of Newbold Hall in the County of Warwick, was created in the Baronetage of England on 25 October 1670 for Fulwar Skipwith. The second Baronet representedCoventry in theHouse of Commons in 1713. The fourth Baronet was Member of Parliament for Warwickshire andSteyning. The title became extinct on the latter's death in 1790.
The coat of arms of the Skipwiths of Metheringham[4]
The Skipwith Baronetcy, of Metheringham in the County of Lincoln, was created in the Baronetage of England on 27 July 1678 forThomas Skipwith, previously Member of Parliament forGrantham. The second Baronet sat as Member of Parliament forMalmesbury. The title became extinct on the death of the third Baronet in 1756.
