1st Earl of Iveagh

The family of GUINNESS claims descent from the ancient and eminent house of MAGENNIS, in which formerly vested the viscountcy of Magennis of Iveagh.

Several members of this family are interred in the churchyard of St Catherine's, Dublin, and, in the parish register, the translation of the name from Magennis to McGuinness, or Guinness, is clearly traceable.

ART ROE or ARTHUR MacGUINNESS, of Rathfriland, County Down, received the honour of knighthood, and assumed the surname of MAGENNIS.

In 1623 Sir Arthur was created Viscount Magennis of Iveagh, though that peerage expired in 1693.

He died in 1629, and was buried at Drumballyroney, near Rathfriland, County Down.

His younger son,

CON MAGENNIS, married and was father of

HUGH MAGENNIS, who wedded and had a son,

EVER MAGENNIS, who removed to, and settled in Dublin.

He married and had issue,

RICHARD GUINNESS (c1690-1766), of Celbridge, County Kildare, described in a Bill in Equity Exchequer, 1746, as

"Richard Guinis, Agent or Receiver to the Most Rev Arthur Price, Archbishop of Cashel," and is therein authorized to demise episcopal lands.

He married Elizabeth, daughter of William Read, of Huttonread, County Kildare, and had issue,

Richard;

ARTHUR, of whom presently;

Samuel;

Benjamin;

Frances; Elizabeth.

The second son,

ARTHUR GUINNESS (1725-1803), of Beaumont, County Dublin, who in a Bill filed in the Court of Exchequer, 1747, styles himself "of the City of Dublin, Gentleman." 

Arthur Guinness (1725-1803)

He purchased, in 1759, the St James's Gate Brewery from Mr Mark Rainsford.

He wedded, in 1761, Olivia, daughter and co-heiress of William Whitmore, of Dublin, by his wife, daughter of John Grattan, of Clonmeen, County Kildare, and had issue,

Hosea (Rev);

ARTHUR, of whom hereafter;

Edward;

Benjamin;

John Grattan;

William Lunell;

Elizabeth; Olivia; Louisa; Mary Anne.

His second son,

ARTHUR GUINNESS JP DL (1768-1855), of Beaumont, for many years President of the Chamber of Commerce, Dublin, who espoused, in 1793, Anne, eldest daughter and co-heiress of Benjamin Lee, of Merrion, County Dublin, by Susanna his wife, daughter of the Rev John Smyth, Chancellor of Connor (brother of Arthur Smyth, Archbishop of Dublin).

Mr Guiness died in 1855, having had issue,

William Smythe (Rev), Rector of Rathdrum;

Arthur Lee, of Stillorgan House, died unmarried;

BENJAMIN LEE, of whom we treat;

Susanna; Mary Jane; Louisa; Anne; Elizabeth; Rebecca.

The third son,

BENJAMIN LEE GUINNESS JP DL (1798-1868), MP for the City of Dublin, 1865-8, married, in 1837, Elizabeth, third daughter of Edward Guinness, of Dublin, and had issue,

Arthur Edward, his successor;

Benjamin Lee, DL, Captain, Royal Horse Guards;

EDWARD CECIL, of whom hereafter;

Anne Lee, m 4th Baron Plunkett, Archbishop of Dublin.

Benjamin Lee Guinness was created a baronet, in 1867, designated of Ashford Castle, County Galway.

His eldest son,

SIR ARTHUR EDWARD GUINNESS, 2nd Baronet (1840-1915), JP, DL, wedded, in 1871, the Lady Olivia Charlotte White, daughter of 3rd Earl of Bantry.

Sir Arthur was elevated to the Peerage, in 1880, in the dignity of BARON ARDILAUN, of Ashford, County Galway.

His lordship dsp 1915, when the Peerage became extinct and the Baronetcy devolved upon his nephew, Algernon Arthur St Lawrence Lee Guinness, as 3rd Baronet.

Sir Benjamin Lee Guinness's third son,

EDWARD CECIL GUINNESS (1847-1927), KP, GCVO, espoused, in 1873, his cousin, Adelaide Maria, daughter of Richard Samuel Guinness, MP, of Deepwell, County Dublin, by Katherine Frances, his wife, daughter of Sir Charles Jenkinson, 10th Baronet, of Hawkesbury, and had issue,

RUPERT EDWARD CECIL LEE, his successor;

Arthur Ernest, father of MAUREEN, mother of 5th Marquess of Dufferin & Ava;

Walter Edward, created 1st Baron Moyne.

His lordship was created a baronet, in 1885, designated of Castleknock, County Dublin; and raised to the Peerage, in 1891, in the dignity of Baron Iveagh, of Iveagh, County Down.

1st Earl of Iveagh KP, GCVO, by H M Paget
(Image: English Heritage, Kenwood)

He was advanced to a viscountcy, in 1905, as Viscount Iveagh, of Iveagh, County Down; and further advanced, in 1919, to the dignities of Viscount Elveden and EARL OF IVEAGH.

His lordship was succeeded by his eldest son,

RUPERT EDWARD CECIL LEE, 2nd Earl (1874-1967), KG, CB, CMG, VD etc, who married, in 1903, the Lady Gwendolen Florence Mary Onslow, elder daughter of 4th Earl of Onslow, and had issue,

Richard (died in infancy);

Arthur Onslow Edward;

Honor Dorothy Mary; Patricia Florence Susan; Brigit Katherine Rachel.

His lordship's second son,

ARTHUR ONSLOW EDWARD (1912-45), styled Viscount Elveden, wedded, in 1936, the Lady Elizabeth Cecilia Hare, daughter of 4th Earl of Listowel, and had issue,

ARTHUR FRANCIS BENJAMIN, his successor;

Elizabeth Maria; Henrietta.

Lord Elveden was killed in action in the Netherlands during the 2nd World War.

His son and successor,

ARTHUR FRANCIS BENJAMIN, 3rd Earl (1937-92), espoused, in 1963, Miranda Daphne Jane, daughter of Major Charles Arthur Smiley, and had issue,

ARTHUR EDWARD RORY, his successor;

Rory Michael Benjamin;

Emma Lavinia; Louisa Jane.

His lordship was succeeded by his elder son,

ARTHUR EDWARD RORY, 4th Earl (1969-), who married, in 2001, Clare Hazell and has issue, two sons, of whom,

Arthur b 2002, styled Viscount Elveden.

Seat ~ Elveden Hall. Suffolk.

Former residences ~ Pyrford Court, near Woking; Farmleigh, Castleknock, County Dublin.