Churchill

Churchill, English family prominent in government and military affairs since the 17th century. The first member of the family who gained prominence was Sir Winston Churchill (c. 1620-1688), a politician and historian. Among his 11 children were Arabella Churchill (1648-1730), mistress of King James II, and John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough. The latter died without male issue, and the Marlborough title subsequently passed to the Spencer family through the marriage of Anne Churchill (1688-1716), the second daughter of the 1st Duke, to Charles Spencer, 3rd Earl of Sunderland. In 1817 George Spencer (1766-1840), by royal licence, revived the Churchill name, and thereafter it was borne by his heirs, who included Lord Randolph Churchill, his son Sir Winston Churchill, and Winston Churchill’s grandson Winston Churchill, who was Conservative Member of Parliament for Davyhulme from 1983 to 1997.