He was born at Lathom House in Lancashire, a younger son of Robert Bootle of Maghull.
His elder brother was Sir Thomas Bootle, MP for Liverpool.
His application citation described him as " a gentleman well versed in Mathematical learning, & several other branches of polite literature".
[5] Together, they were the parents of one daughter:[6] He lived in Hatton Garden, London before inheriting Lathom House in 1753 on the death of his unmarried elder brother, Thomas.
[9] Through his daughter, he was a grandfather of at least six grandsons and eight granddaughters, including Edward Bootle-Wilbraham, 1st Baron Skelmersdale who inherited Lathom House.