[2] This noble title was created in 1780 for Sir William de Grey on his retirement as Lord Chief Justice, who had previously served as Solicitor-General and as Attorney-General.
His son, the second Baron, represented Wareham, Tamworth and Lostwithiel in the House of Commons and served as Joint Postmaster-General from 1787 to 1794; Lord Walsingham was also Chairman of Committees in the House of Lords for many years.
His grandson, the sixth Baron, was a Conservative Member of Parliament for Norfolk West and served as a Government Whip from 1874 to 1875 in Benjamin Disraeli's second administration.
In 1929, his son Lieutenant-Colonel George de Grey succeeded as eighth Baron; he was appointed DSO, OBE and OStJ.
His only son, Captain John de Grey MC, succeeded as the ninth and present Baron in 1965.