The barony was created by writ, which means that it can pass through both male and female lines.

On the death in 1663 of his great-grandson, the fifth Baron, the title fell into abeyance between the late Baron's surviving sister Joyce, and the heirs of his deceased sisters Mary, Lady Symeon, and Catherine, Baroness Abergavenny.

The abeyance was terminated in 1938 in favour of the eldest daughter, Grace, the eighth Baroness and so far the only woman to hold the barony.

Grace was succeeded by her eldest son, Father Gabriel Gilbey, the ninth Baron.

As of 2017[update] the title is held by the latter's grandson, the twelfth Baron, who succeeded his father in 2014 and was elected to the House of Lords in 2017.