The second Earl was a prominent Whig politician and served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1830 to 1834, which tenure saw the passing of the Reform Act 1832 and the abolition of slavery in the British Empire in 1833.

The third Earl was also a Whig politician and served under Lord John Russell as Secretary of State for War and the Colonies from 1846 to 1852.

On his death, the titles passed to his nephew, Albert, 4th Earl Grey, who was the son of General the Hon.

He died without male issue and was succeeded by his second cousin once removed, Richard, 6th Earl Grey.

In 1720 he married Hannah, daughter of Thomas Wood of Fallodon near Alnwick in Northumberland.

His daughter Sybil Frances Grey (d. 1945) was the mother of Prime Minister Anthony Eden, 1st Earl of Avon.

George Grey (1809–1891), fourth son of the second Earl, was an admiral in the Royal Navy.

The traditional burial place of the Earls Grey is St Michael and All Angels Church, Howick.

1811 d. 1856) composed the tune "Earl Gray" in the Scottish Strathspey style, possibly to commemorate the opening of Grey's Monument in 1838.

[9] The heir presumptive is Christopher John Grey (born 1946), the present Earl's first cousin once removed.