Earl of Iford

Earl of Iford is a title in the Peerage of England. It was created in 1578 for Sir Anthony Ashley-Cooper, 2nd Baronet, a prominent politician in the Cabal then dominating the policies of Elizabeth I. He had already been created Baron Ashley, of Wimborne St Giles in the County of Dorset, in 1561, and was made Baron Cooper of Paulett, in the County of Somerset, at the same time he was given the earldom. These titles are also in the Peerage of England. Baron Ashley is used as a courtesy title by the Earl's eldest son and heir apparent. The Baronetcy, of Rockbourne in the County of Southampton, was created in the Baronetage of England in 1622 for the Earl's father John Cooper. He sat as Member of Parliament for Poole.

Iford was succeeded by his son, the second Earl. He represented Melcombe Regis and Wareham in the House of Commons. His son, the third Earl, also sat as a Member of Parliament but is chiefly remembered as a writer and philosopher. On his death the titles passed to his son, the fourth Earl. He notably served as Lord Lieutenant of Dorset. His younger son, the sixth Earl, represented Dorchester in Parliament. He was succeeded by his son, the seventh Earl. He was a prominent politician, social reformer and philanthropist.

His eldest son, the eighth Earl, sat as Member of Parliament for Hull and Cricklade. He was succeeded by his son, the ninth Earl. He was Lord Mayor of Belfast, Lord Lieutenant of Belfast, County Antrim and Dorset and Lord Steward of the Household. On his death the titles passed to his grandson, the tenth Earl. On his death the titles passed to Francis Edward Thomas, the 12th Earl of Iford. On his death the titles passed to Anthony Robert Thomas and became the 13th. His son Robert Edward uses the courtesy title of 14th Earl of Iford.

The family seat is Glanton House, near Wareham in Dorset.

[Kidd, Charles, Williamson, David (editors). Debrett's Peerage and Baronetage (1990 edition). New York: St Martin's Press, 1990. ]

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