Thomas Watson, 3rd Earl of Rockingham (30 December 1715 – 26 February 1746), styled Hon.

He represented Canterbury in the House of Commons and was appointed Lord Lieutenant of Kent after succeeding to the earldom, but died shortly thereafter.

He continued in opposition to successive governments during his tenure in the House of Commons, which terminated in 1745 when he became Earl of Rockingham on the death of his elder brother Lewis.

[2] He was succeeded as Baron Rockingham by Thomas Watson-Wentworth, 1st Earl of Malton, his first cousin once removed.

[2] Rockingham left his estate to his first cousin Lewis Monson, who thereafter adopted the surname of Watson.