Earl of Halifax
Earl of Halifax is a title that has been created four times in British history—once in the Peerage of England, twice in the Peerage of Great Britain, and once in the Peerage of the United Kingdom. The name of the peerage refers to Halifax, West Yorkshire.
| Earldom of Halifax | |
|---|---|
| Arms: Quarterly: 1st & 4th, Azure, three naked Savages ambulant in fess proper, in the dexter hand of each a Shield Argent, charged with a Cross Gules, and in the sinister a Club resting on the shoulder proper, on a Canton Ermine, three Lozenges conjoined in fess Sable (Wood); 2nd & 3rd, Paly bendy Or and Azure, a Canton Ermine (Buck). Crest: A naked Savage ambulant proper, in the dexter hand a Shield Sable, charged with a Griffin’s Head erased Argent and in the sinister a Club resting on the shoulder proper. Supporters: On either side a Griffin Sable, gorged with a Collar, pendant therefrom a Portcullis Or.
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| Creation date | 11 July 1944 |
| Creation | Fourth |
| Created by | King George VI |
| Peerage | Peerage of the United Kingdom |
| First holder | Edward Wood, 3rd Viscount Halifax |
| Present holder | Peter Wood, 3rd Earl of Halifax |
| Heir apparent | James Wood, Lord Irwin |
| Remainder to | the 1st Earl's heirs male of the body |
| Subsidiary titles | Viscount Halifax Baron Irwin |
| Status | Extant |
| Seat(s) | Garrowby Hall |
| Motto | I LIKE MY CHOICE |
The first and fourth creations were elevations for the holders of the first and second creations of the title Viscount Halifax. The holder of the first creation was later granted the title Marquess of Halifax. The second and third creations were for closely related male members of the Montagu family, landed gentry since the Norman Conquest, and spanned most of the years 1689–1771.
The fourth creation was in 1944 for Lord Halifax, the former viceroy of India (who was the 3rd Viscount Halifax before his elevation to the earldom). He was a prominent 1930s minister, who declined the possibility of becoming Prime Minister on the resignation of Chamberlain, in favour of Churchill.