In 1611 he was created a Baronet, of Staunton Harold in the County of Leicester, in the Baronetage of England.

He died at an early age and was succeeded at birth by his posthumous son, the sixth Baronet.

He was succeeded in the barony of Ferrers of Chartley by his granddaughter Elizabeth, wife of James Compton, 5th Earl of Northampton.

Robert Shirley (1673–1698), who predeceased his father (see the Baron Ferrers of Chartley for further history of this title).

Lord Ferrers was succeeded in the baronetcy, viscountcy and earldom by his second son, the second Earl.

Lord Ferrers killed Mr Johnson, his land-steward, was tried, condemned for murder and hanged at Tyburn on 5 May 1760.

Ferrers petitioned to be beheaded at the Tower of London as had been the case with noble lords before him.

As of 2010[update] the titles were held by his grandson, the thirteenth Earl, who succeeded his father in 1954 until death in 2012.

Styled formally as Viscount Tamworth from 1954, he was educated at Ampleforth College and became a chartered accountant.

[5] On 13 November 2012, he succeeded as the Earl Ferrers (G.B., 1711) and Viscount Tamworth (G.B., 1711) and is also the 20th Shirley baronet (E., 1611).