For the Vivian family of Glynn and Truro, Cornwall, see
Baron Vivian.
The Vyvyans/ˈvɪviən/ are a
prominent Cornish family who were
members of Parliament,
baronets, and landowners in
Penwith and
Kerrier since the 15th century. The Vyvyan family have held the large
Trelowarren Estate in the parish of
Mawgan-in-Meneage in west
Cornwall for nearly 600 years. They moved to Trelowarren in 1427 from
Trevegean,
St. Buryan when they acquired Trelowarren through marriage to the daughter of Honora Ferrers, heiress to the estate of the previous owner, Richard Ferrers. Trelowarren's first garden (at least under the Vyvyans) is recorded in 1428. In the
English Civil War (1642–1651) the Vyvyans were royalist supporters. Sir Richard Vyvyan (1613–1724), 1st Baronet, was given a large equestrian portrait of
King Charles I (1600–1649), a copy of the famous
painting by
Anthony van Dyck, by
King Charles II (1630–1685) in recognition of his support.[2]
Sir Richard Vyvyan, 8th Baronet (1800–1879) was a Conservative party member of Parliament in the UK. He represented
Cornwall from 1825 to 1831;
Okehampton from 1831 to 1832; and
Bristol from the passage of the
Reform Bill in 1832 until the dissolution of 1837. He served as
High Sheriff of Cornwall in 1840. In 1841 he was returned as a member of Parliament for
Helston, and represented Helston until his retirement from Parliament in 1857. In 1872 he was listed as the ninth largest landholder in Cornwall with 9,738 acres (39.41 km2).[8]
Jennifer Vyvyan, the distinguished soprano, was part of a cadet branch of the family, dating back to a younger son of the 3rd Baronet, Sir Richard Vyvyan.[11]
Rupert Everett is a notable British actor known for his appearances in such films as My Best Friend's Wedding and The Next Best Thing. He is a descendant of Opre Vyvyan, his maternal grandmother, and through her claims descent from both the Vyvyans and continental nobility.[12]
^Fuidge, N. M. (1981).
"VIVIAN, John (c.1526–77)". The History of Parliament: the House of Commons 1558-1603, ed. P.W. Hasler.
^Hasler, P.W. (1981).
"VIVIAN, Hannibal (1554–1610)". The History of Parliament: the House of Commons 1558-1603, ed. P.W. Hasler.
^Hunneyball, Paul (2010).
"VYVYAN, Francis (1575–1635)". The History of Parliament: the House of Commons 1604-1629, ed. Andrew Thrush and John P. Ferris.
^Hunneyball, Paul (2010).
"VYVYAN, Hannibal (1589–
c.1657)". The History of Parliament: the House of Commons 1604–1629, ed. Andrew Thrush and John P. Ferris.
^Cruickshanks, Eveline (1983).
"VYVYAN, Sir Richard (c.1613–65)". The History of Parliament: the House of Commons 1660–1690, ed. B.D. Henning.