Viscount St Davids

Viscount St Davids, of Lydstep Haven in the County of Pembroke, is a title in the Peerage of the United Kingdom.

In 1908, four years before he succeeded his father in the baronetcy, he was created Baron St Davids, of Roch Castle in the County of Pembroke, in the Peerage of the United Kingdom.

In 1918 he was further honoured when he was made Viscount St Davids, of Lydstep Haven in the County of Pembroke, also in the Peerage of the United Kingdom.

His son, Colwyn Philipps, 3rd Viscount St Davids, who succeeded in 1991, held office from 1992 to 1994 in the Conservative administration of John Major and was a Deputy Speaker of the House of Lords from 1995 to 1999.

As of 2017[update] the titles are held by his eldest son Rhodri Philipps, the fourth Viscount, who succeeded in 2009.

The first bearer of the surname was Sir Thomas Philipps (died 1520[2]), of Clisant, Llanwinio, Carmarthenshire, Wales.

He was a patrilineal descendant of Sir Aron ap Rhys, a Welsh knight who accompanied Richard I on the Crusades in 1190.