Ogle family
A historic Northumbrian landed family with branches in England and colonial Maryland.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
The Ogle family was a prominent landed-gentry family associated primarily with Northumberland in northern England. The family name appears in a number of medieval forms, including Hoggel, Oggehill, Ogille and Oghill. Its principal ancestral seat was at Ogle, near Whalton, where the family held a substantial estate and maintained a fortified manor. In 1341, or shortly before that date, Robert Ogle received a licence to crenellate the manor house, reflecting the family’s position on the Anglo-Scottish border and the military responsibilities often attached to Northumbrian landholding. The family’s most important medieval figure was Sir Robert Ogle, who represented Northumberland in Parliament on several occasions, served as High Sheriff of Northumberland, held the office of constable of Norham Castle and was involved in the defence of the northern frontier. He became the progenitor of the principal baronial line, which produced seven successive Barons Ogle. Catherine Ogle, the last surviving heir of that main line, was created Baroness Ogle in 1628. Her marriage to Sir Charles Cavendish linked the Ogle inheritance with the Cavendish family; their son was William Cavendish, later the first Duke of Newcastle and Earl of Ogle. Several cadet branches developed around estates including Causey Park, Choppington, Burradon, Kirkley, Eglingham, Berwick and Bowsden. These branches acquired, built or remodelled manor houses, pele towers and castles, and their members occupied local offices such as sheriff, Member of Parliament, deputy lieutenant and recorder. The Kirkley branch produced naval officers including Admiral Sir Chaloner Ogle and Admiral Chaloner Ogle, while the Eglingham branch was active in Northumberland during the English Civil War, largely supporting Parliament. The family also had an important transatlantic connection. Sir William Ogle of Choppington was an ancestor of the Ogle family that established itself in colonial Maryland. Samuel Ogle became governor of Maryland in the eighteenth century, and his son Benjamin Ogle later served as governor from 1798 to 1801. Benjamin Ogle Tayloe, a later descendant, was a Washington businessman, diplomat and political figure. Over time, estates such as Kirkley, Burradon and Eglingham passed out of Ogle ownership, but the family remains associated with Northumbrian landed history, medieval border society, English political life and the colonial history of Maryland.
History
The Ogles were a Northumbrian landed family whose recorded history developed around the manor of Ogle, close to Whalton. Medieval spellings of the surname varied considerably, and the family’s early prominence was connected to landholding, fortified residences and service on the northern frontier. The location placed the family in a region repeatedly affected by conflict between England and Scotland. Robert Ogle’s licence to crenellate the family manor in 1341 illustrates both the defensive character of the region and the family’s standing among the local gentry. Sir Robert Ogle, who lived from 1372 to 1436, became one of the leading members of the family in the late medieval period. He held several public and military offices, including constable of Norham Castle, sheriff and escheator of Norhamshire and Islandshire, High Sheriff of Northumberland and warden of Roxburgh Castle. He represented Northumberland in Parliament six times between 1416 and 1435. His activities placed him at the centre of border administration and military affairs. He married Matilda Grey, linking the family to other influential northern and aristocratic houses. Members of the extended family later participated in the Wars of the Roses, generally on the Yorkist side. The main Ogle baronial line continued through seven barons. Catherine Ogle, the last heir of that line, was created Baroness Ogle in 1628. Her marriage to Sir Charles Cavendish transferred the principal Ogle inheritance into the Cavendish network and connected the family to William Cavendish, who became Duke of Newcastle. Alongside this main line, junior branches developed across Northumberland. The Causey Park branch acquired its estate through the marriage of heiress Helen Bertram to Robert Ogle. A later marriage between James Ogle of Causey Park and his cousin Jane Ogle of Burradon reunited two branches. Their descendants included William Ogle, who represented Northumberland in Parliament during the late seventeenth century. The Choppington and Burradon branch descended from Sir William Ogle, a younger son of the medieval family. Gawen Ogle established a tower house at Choppington, while later descendants acquired and improved Burradon Tower. The Burradon property was eventually abandoned, fell into ruin and left family ownership in the nineteenth century. The Kirkley branch acquired portions of its manor in the early seventeenth century and built Kirkley Hall in 1632. Its descendants included naval officers and clergy. Admiral Sir Chaloner Ogle became a significant eighteenth-century naval figure, while another Chaloner Ogle served in the navy and was created a baronet. The family’s clerical members included Newton Ogle, Dean of Winchester, and John Saville Ogle, a cathedral canon who expanded Kirkley Hall and repurchased historic Ogle estates. The Kirkley estate was sold outside the family in 1922. The Eglingham branch acquired its manor in the early sixteenth century and developed Eglingham Hall from an older defensive site. Its members held the office of High Sheriff and took distinctive political positions during the Civil War. Captain Henry Ogle supported Parliament and helped raise forces, while his son John later served as sheriff during the Commonwealth. Other branches were based at Berwick and Bowsden. They produced religious dissenters, lawyers, Members of Parliament and colonial administrators. Samuel Ogle became governor of Maryland in 1732, and his son Benjamin governed Maryland from 1798 to 1801. The family’s history therefore extends from medieval Northumberland into the political and social history of colonial and early United States Maryland. The Ogles were associated with numerous towers, castles and manors, including Ogle, Bothal, Hepple, Choppington, Burradon, Kirkley, Eglingham and other Northumbrian sites. Most estates eventually left family ownership, but these properties and the family’s public service provide the principal historical legacy of the Ogle name.
- 1922
Kirkley estate leaves the family
[1]The Kirkley estate was sold outside the Ogle family, reflecting the long-term dispersal of the family’s landed property.
- 1798
Benjamin Ogle becomes Governor of Maryland
[1]Benjamin Ogle served as governor of Maryland from 1798 to 1801.
- 1732
Samuel Ogle becomes Governor of Maryland
[1]Samuel Ogle, a descendant of the Berwick branch, began a prominent Ogle political dynasty in Maryland when he became provincial governor.
- 1632
Kirkley Hall is built
[1]Cuthbert Ogle constructed Kirkley Hall near the site of the earlier family house.
- 1628
Catherine Ogle becomes Baroness Ogle
[1]Catherine Ogle, heir of the principal line, was created Baroness Ogle. Her marriage to Sir Charles Cavendish connected the inheritance with the Cavendish family.
- 1565
Luke Ogle serves as High Sheriff
[1]Luke Ogle of Eglingham served as High Sheriff of Northumberland.
- 1514
Eglingham branch acquires its manor
[1]Henry Ogle of Choppington acquired the Eglingham manor near Alnwick, establishing a major cadet branch.
- 1425
Warden of Roxburgh Castle
Sir Robert Ogle was appointed warden of Roxburgh Castle, reinforcing his military role on the Anglo-Scottish frontier.
- 1416
Parliamentary representation begins for Sir Robert Ogle
[1]Sir Robert Ogle represented Northumberland in Parliament, eventually doing so six times between 1416 and 1435.
- 1407
Sir Robert Ogle enters border administration
[1]Sir Robert Ogle held the office of constable of Norham Castle and served as sheriff and escheator for northern jurisdictions.
Products and positioning
Historic landed family and genealogical house rather than a commercial consumer brand.
Sources1 sources
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