Pennant family, of Bychton and Downing

Family

Pennant family, of Bychton and Downing

The Pennant family held estates in the Whitford and Holywell areas of Flintshire continuously from the 1450's until the middle of the 19 cent., when the direct line of the family lapsed.

The Pennant family are descended from David Pennant ap Tudur ap Ithel (living in 1440) who was the first to adopt the surname Pennant. He married firstly Jonet, daughter of David of Trefcastle in Tegeingl, and secondly Agnes, daughter of John Done of Utkinton, Cheshire. From his fist marriage are descended the Pennants of Bychton, and the Pennants of Downing, the former being descended from Thomas Pennant, great-grandson of David Pennant, and the latter from Thomas's brother, Nicholas. From his second marriage are descended, through his son, Thomas Pennant, abbot of Basingwerk, the Pennants of Bagillt and the Pennants of Hendre Vigillt.

John Pennant, son of Nicholas, married Jane, the daughter and heiress of John Lloyd ap Llewellyn ap Rhys of Downing and brought the Downing Estate to this branch of the Pennant family. This branch became extinct with the death of Thomas Pennant without issue in 1724. He bequeathed the Downing estate to his kinsman, David Pennant (1685-1763), of Bychton. His son was Thomas Pennant (1726-1798), the naturalist, antiquary and traveller. Thomas's son, David Pennant died in 1841.

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