The Parsons were originally an English family from Dishworth (Diseworth) Grange in Leicestershire; there having been five brothers who settled in Ireland during the late 16th century.

One of the brothers, William Parsons, was created a Baronet in the Baronetage of Ireland of Bellamont in the County of Dublin in 1620 by James VI & I.

On his death in 1807 the viscountcy became extinct while he was succeeded in the barony and earldom according to the special remainders by his aforementioned nephew, the 5th Baronet.

[citation needed] When the present Earl worked for the United Nations Development Programme, he did not use his title, preferring to be known by his family surname of Parsons.

The heir apparent is the present holder's son, Lawrence Patrick Parsons, Lord Oxmantown (born 1969).