The Bowes-Lyon family descends from George Bowes of Gibside and Streatlam Castle (1701–1760), a County Durham landowner and politician, through John Bowes, 9th Earl of Strathmore and Kinghorne, chief of the Clan Lyon.

Following the marriage in 1767 of the 9th Earl (John Lyon) to rich heiress Mary Eleanor Bowes, the family name was changed to Bowes by Act of Parliament[date missing].

The 10th Earl changed the name to Lyon-Bowes[date missing] and the 13th Earl, Claude, changed the order to Bowes-Lyon[date missing].

[1] Notable members of the family include: