Watson Baronets

Watson Baronets

There have been seven baronetcies created for persons with the surname Watson, one in the Baronetage of England, one in the Baronetage of Great Britain and five in the Baronetage of the United Kingdom. Two creations are extant as of 2007.

The Watson Baronetcy was created in the Baronetage of England on 23 June 1621. For more information on this creation, see the Marquess of Rockingham.

The Watson Baronetcy, of Fulmer in the County of Buckingham, was created in the Baronetage of Great Britain on 22 March 1760 for Charles Watson (1751-1844), son of Admiral Sir Charles Watson (1714-1757). The monumental inscription above his grave in the Parish Church of St Andrew's West Wratting, Cambridgeshire, reads: To the memory of Sir Charles Watson, Bart. (whose remains are deposited in a vault beneath) Born at Bradfield, Berkshire, May 29th. O.S. or June 9th. N.S. 1751; died at Wratting Park, in this parish, August 26th. 1844. He was created a baronet by His Majesty George the second, March 22nd. 1760, at the early age of 8 years, on account of the eminent services of his father Admiral Watson, who died at Calcutta, August 16th. 1757, in the 44th. year of his age, whilst in command of His Majesty’s Naval Forces in the East Indies; and to whose memory a monument is erected in Westminster Abbey. Also to the memory of Juliana, wife of Sir Charles Watson, Bart., third daughter of Sir Joseph Copley, Bart., of Sprotborough Yorkshire, and Bake Cornwall; who died May 24th. 1834, aged 72 years, and whose remains are deposited in the Church of St Mary-le-bone, London. The 1st Baronet inherited via his mother the lordship of the Devon manor of Combe Martin, which he sold before 1810. The title became extinct on the death of the fourth Baronet in 1904. Robert Godfrey Wolesley Bewicke-Copley, 5th Baron Cromwell, was the son of Selina Frances Bewicke-Copley, daughter of the third Baronet (see the Baron Cromwell).

The Watson, later Kay Baronetcy, of East Sheen in the County of Surrey, was created in the Baronetage of the United Kingdom on 5 December 1803. For more information on this creation, see Kay baronets.

The Watson Baronetcy, of Henrietta Street, Cavendish Square, in St Marylebone in the County of Middlesex, was created in the Baronetage of the United Kingdom on 27 June 1866 for the physician Sir Thomas Watson, Bt. He was President of the Royal College of Physicians and Physician-in-Ordinary to Queen Victoria.

The Watson Baronetcy, of Earnock in Hamilton in the County of Lanark, was created in the Baronetage of the United Kingdom on 15 July 1895 for John Watson. The fourth Baronet assumed by deed poll his Christian name of Inglefield as an additional surname in 1945. This surname was also borne by the fifth Baronet who died in 2007. The sixth Baronet, Sir Simon Watson, is a member of the Executive Committee of the Standing Council of the Baronetage.

The Watson Baronetcy, of Sulhamstead in Sulhamstead Abbots in the County of Berkshire, was created in the Baronetage of the United Kingdom on 11 July 1912 for William George Watson. The title became extinct on the death of the second Baronet in 1983.

The Watson Baronetcy, of Newport in the County of Monmouth, was created in the Baronetage of the United Kingdom on 13 February 1918 for Thomas Edward Watson. The title became extinct on the death of the third Baronet in 1959.