It is a sad fact that there are no direct living descendants of the great bard, William Shakespeare. The direct line ended with his grandchildren, but of course there is always the possibility that anyone with the surname SHAKESPEARE (with or without the first or last ‘E’) could have links higher up the tree. Unfortunately, while there are some possible trees that have been researched going back to the 13th century, there is no definitive Shakespeare genealogy before Will’s grandfather, so proving a connection with 100% conviction would be probably impossible.
However, there are other names on the Shakespeare family tree, the descendants of whom could still exist today. While some of these would have to be linked higher up the tree (therefore not having a blood link to Shakespeare), these families would still be of great interest as many of them have been well documented.
(By the way, if you’d like to learn how to trace your ancestors, have a look at my Step-by-step beginner’s course at Udemy here).
The most likely surname to have blood ties with William Shakespeare is the name HART. William’s sister Joan (and the only sibling to outlive him) married a William HART, and two of their sons survived into adulthood, one of them, William becoming an actor like his uncle, and the other, Thomas, married and had three children whose descendants live today. William never married, but is believed to have had an illegitimate son, Charles, a Restoration actor, who may also have living descendants.
Shakespeare’s other siblings either died in childhood, or never had any children.
Shakespeare’s mother, Mary ARDEN, came from an aristocratic, land-owning family who could trace their roots back to England before the Conquest, but it would be difficult to take any ARDEN name back to Mary’s immediate family as all of her siblings were sisters. Five of them married (two of them twice), and the names they married into were ETKYNS, SCARLET, STRINGER, HEWINS, LAMBERT, CORNWELL and WEBBE. I know that the LAMBERTs and WEBBEs had at least one child – but whether or not any of these lines have descendants living today I do not know.
As for tracing any families that may be connected to Shakespeare through marriage (but not through blood), the following information may be of interest:
Not much is known about the family of Shakespeare’s wife, Ann HATHAWAY, other than that her father, Richard, was a yeoman farmer. We know that the name still exists today (at least in one famous actress), but whether this line can be traced back to the Hathaways of Warwickshire is uncertain without there being much information about this family.
William’s first daughter Susanna married Dr. John HALL, a respected physician, in 1607 and their only daughter Elizabeth married Thomas NASH, and when he died she married John BERNARD and living in Abington Hall in Northamptonshire. Elizabeth did not have any children, and so the direct line ends here, but the NASH and BERNARD families were wealthy and well known families with good documentation, so finding connections with these families further up the line could be possible. I do not know whether Dr. John HALL’s ancestry is known, but he is mentioned in some academic medical texts where there may be more details about his family.
Shakespeare’s only son, Hamnet, died at the age of 11 in a small outbreak of bubonic plague.
Shakespeare’s third child, Judith, married Thomas QUINEY, a local winemerchant who was the son of a good friend of Shakespeare’s. Thomas had ten siblings, some of whom married and had children, so it is possible that there are living descendants who could potentially trace their line back to this family (in fact, one of my clients has an ancestor named QUINEY, and it would be very exciting to take this line back further).
Thomas and Judith had three children, the first of whom, named Shakespeare after his famous grandfather, died at the age of six months. The other two died at the ages of 19 and 21 without marrying or having any issue.
The surname SHAKESPEARE still exists, although it is fairly rare. In fact, I actually knew a Mr. Shakespeare in Stratford-upon-Avon back in the 1970s! He was the owner of Ferry House and let out rooms to RSC actors, including my father, mother and me, and where I spent a very pleasant summer at the age of 13. He was very old even then, and died soon afterwards I believe, but we often wondered whether he had any family links to the great man himself.
As I have said, Shakespeare genealogy links are tenuous and difficult to prove, but if any of the above names are in your ancestry and come from Warwickshire, it could be worth trying to find out whether you have either a blood or marriage link to our greatest playwright. I would be delighted to help too – even though I would be green with envy!
Recommended Books:
Shakespeare’s Country Familes by John Taplin
The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Wordsworth Special Editions)
Regarding the ancestry of John Hall, my book Shakespeare’s Country Families which will be published this month gives definitive documentary evidence going back to Hall’s paternal great grandfather.
Thanks John – that’ very interesting. Do feel free to come back here and post the link to your book when it’s published.
Ros
I had recently been researching my paternal family history on Ancestry.com when I came across an Isabelle (or Isabel) Shakespeare, born 4 years before William Shakespeare in Warwickshire, England. She married my great ×11 grandfather, Thomas Turner, & birthed my great ×10 grandfather, also named Thomas. I haven’t been able to find much on her but what I’ve been able to find claims she was the daughter of Robert Shakespeare and Agnes Steward, and granddaughter of Richard Shakespeare and Abigail Webb. I haven’t been able to definitively conform this link aside from what I’ve found on three separate genealogy sites but according to what I’ve found, Isabelle’s father was the brother of John Shakespeare, William’s father, which would make my great ×11 grandmother his first cousin. I found this rather interested and felt this might be a good place to share. My specific branch of the Turner bloodline came to the US about three generations after Isabelle and Thomas’ time, in the mid-to-late 1600s. However I was able to trace several prior generations to being located in Warwickshire. As I said I can only really find information on Isabelle, her marriage to Thomas, and her parents on genealogy websites. I’m curious if anyone else has heard of or has any information on this branch of the Shakespeare family?
I had recently been researching my paternal family history on Ancestry.com when I came across an Isabelle (or Isabel) Shakespeare, born about three years prior to William Shakespeare in Warwickshire, England in 1561. She married my great ×11 grandfather, Thomas Turner, & birthed my great ×10 grandfather, also named Thomas. I haven’t been able to find much on her but what I’ve been able to find claims that she was the daughter of Robert Shakespeare and Agnes Steward, and granddaughter of Richard Shakespeare and Abigail Webb. I haven’t been able to definitively confirm this link aside from what I’ve looked up on three separate genealogy sites but according to what I’ve found, Isabelle’s father was the brother of John Shakespeare, William’s father, which would make my great ×11 grandmother his paternal first cousin. I found this rather interesting and felt this might be a good place to share, as I’d found this site in my searches on Isabelle and the Shakespeare lineage. My specific branch of the Turner bloodline that descended from Thomas and Isabelle came to the US about three generations after their time, in the mid-to-late 1600s. However I was able to trace several prior generations to being primarily located in Warwickshire. As I said I can only really find information on Isabelle, her parents, her marriage to Thomas, and the birth of their son on a few genealogy websites. I’m curious if anyone else has heard of or has any information on this branch of the Shakespeare family?
Also apologies, I didn’t mean to comment the same thing twice. I didn’t see the first one until after re-submitting the second comment.
Hi! My paternal grandmother’s maiden name was Shakespeare and my fathers family on both sides had close links with the Coventry and Warwick area. Would love to hear from anyone with a local knowledge of the area or who help me – particular themes in the info I have so far are service at Warwick castle, local car engineering firms, and Coventry art school, and Airedale dog breeding as family appear to have links to these areas.
I have Thomas Shakespeare in my family tree born 1677 married to Mary chamberlain born 1674. I would Iike to know if this descendant could be related somehow to THE Shakepeares.
looking for winifrid shakespeare b. 1790 warrick, england married andrew weeks st. mary’s warrick. 1812
in the US my brick wall
My grandmother, Blanche Selina Shakespeare was born in Tewkesbury in 1881. Her father’s name was Charles. I have no further information on her family tree so would welcome any help
Have you checked the census records?
R
I did find that Shakespeare is my 1st Cousin, 13 x removed. His mother Mary is my 12th GGM’s sister – Margaret Cornwall formerly Arden aka Webbe, Webb, Cornwell. Here’s what I have… I’ve left some of the last few generations out for privacy reasons…
William “The Bard of Avon” Shakespeare (1564 – 1616)
1st cousin 13x removed
Mary Shakespeare formerly Arden (1537 – 1608)
Mother of William “The Bard of Avon” Shakespeare
Sir Robert Arden “Grandfather of Shakespeare” (1497 – 1556)
Father of Mary Shakespeare formerly Arden
Margaret Cornwall formerly Arden aka Webbe, Webb, Cornwell (1529 – 1614)
Daughter of Sir Robert Arden “Grandfather of Shakespeare”
Sir Thomas Alexander Webb (1559 – 1629)
Son of Margaret Cornwall formerly Arden aka Webbe, Webb, Cornwell
Christopher de Richmond Webb (1599 – 1671)
Son of Sir Thomas Alexander Webb
Christopher Webb (1630 – 1694)
Son of Christopher de Richmond Webb
Benjamin Webb (1667 – 1739)
Son of Christopher Webb
Timothy Webb (1708 – 1792)
Son of Benjamin Webb
Eunice Webb (1732 – 1820)
Daughter of Timothy Webb
Mary Adams (1772 – )
Daughter of Eunice Webb
Sarah Wells (1780 – 1846)
Daughter of Mary Adams
Amanda Fouts (1820 – 1846)
Daughter of Sarah Wells
John Nelson Lyon (1850 – 1909)
Son of Amanda Fouts
Edith Bertha Anna Lyon (1876 – 1959)
Daughter of John Nelson Lyon
I would love some assistance. I believe I am a descendants of Joan Hart.
Hi. My apologies for not replying sooner. If you would like me to carry out professional research, please email me at info@tracingancestors-uk.com
I’m descended from a John Drake who was married to Lettice Shakespeare, daughter of William’s uncle Henry. She die din 1623 in England and he moved to Connecticut where he remarried.
Please contact me as I’m very interested in your help. Many thanks.
Hi Lee – I have sent you an email but it bounced. If you wish to contact me about my genealogical services, please email me at info@tracingancestors-uk.com.
Thanks
Ros
my link is with Katherine De Arden, who married Richard Muxlow. he was born in 1489. down the De Arden family line, Robert De Arden, 1484.had a daughter, Lady Mary Margaret De Arden, she married John Shakespear, who was Williams father.
Regarding your comment about the ancestry of John Hall, my recent article A Century of Search for Shakespeare’s son-in-law, John Hall (currently unpublished) at the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust gives definitely documentary evidence of Hall’s ancestry back to his great-grandfather.
Hi John – thanks very much for this.
I have just read through your piece ” Do you have Shakespeare Genealogy?” and although I am aware that there are no direct descendants of William Shakespeare alive, I have been trying to find out about my grandmother, unfortunately in vain. Her name was Blanche Selina Shakespeare and I believe she was born in Tewksbury in 1881. Her father was named Charles and he was a coachman.
Members of her family had, until recently, a business hiring out narrow boats, maybe on the Norfolk Broads. Her married name was Hartland. Does any of this mean anything to you?
Hi Violet. I’m afraid I don’t know much more about Shakespeare families other than what’s in the article. If I remember rightly, I think that there were quite a few Shakespeares in the Tewksbury area, but whether they were related to William, I don’t know. Any connection with Shakespeare would have to be traced back to his ancestors, and of course, that would be extremely difficult. The best you can do is try and trace back from your grandmother and see where it takes you. If it goes back to the Stratford area, then perhaps there might be a possibility of a connection – but it might not be possible to prove it absolutely.
Ros
My family surname is Shakespeare. We are from the west midlands and I’m wondering if we have any link to William Shakespeare. Be amazing to find out if there’s someone who can help me go about this.
Hi Claire – I’m sending you an email.
Ros
My ancestor John Lambert was William Shakespeare’s first cousin. Their mothers were sisters.
Wow! – Excellent! 🙂
I have followed my Webb ancestry back 20 generations and noticed the complicated relationships with the Arden line. What I want to know is, am I related to Shakespeare? I was shocked to see his mother was an Arden\ Webb. HELP, this is so confusing.
Hi Mattie. Well done on getting back 20 generations – that is a real achievement! When you get back that far, I’m afraid things can get extremely confusing, and may not always be possible to prove various relationships. Have you checked documents at the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust Archives?
Ros
Hello. I have been researching my family history for a few years now and though I found definitive evidence that that my Great-Grandmother x 2, Anne Jane Kenney, born in 1855, was descended from the Quineys, I have also found evidence that the Kinneys were descendants going back to the Robert Arden and Agnes Webbe, the parents of Mary Arden Shakespeare, mother of William. My first clue, after following the line of Charles E. M. Kenney and his daughter Anne Jane (Annie), was when I came upon Margaret (Aunt of William Shakespeare) Arden. As I hadn’t even a clue up until that point that my family had anything to do with the Great Bard, I was thrilled. I did contact a genealogy expert but was told that any link between my family and Shakespeare would need tangible proof in the way of records, and as I had no definitive answer for him, I gave it up, though not without hope that someday I would be able to prove the link. Can anyone help?
Hi Carrie
It is extremely difficult to prove these kind of links because the dates involved mean that documentary evidence, which is fundamental to proving genealogical lines, gets more scanty the further back you go. I presume you have used original copies of all documents – and that you have searched documents such as land deeds and wills, and that you’ve checked all the documents available at the Warwickshire Record Office and the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust Archives?
Let me know if you need any further help.
Ros
Hello, my last name is Linville, I have done research and it appears I am descended of George Boon, brother of Daniel Boone and possibly also related to Joan Shakespeare/Hart and Thomas Hart. George Boone married a Linville as did also Mary Hart who is descended of Joan Shakespeare/Hart and Thomas Hart. The Boone’s, Baldwins, and Hart’s married Linville’s. The Boon’s, Baldwins, and Linville’s were all explorers and intermarried and came to America in various stages, together. Would like help in tracing further, thank you.
Hi Paulette
Thanks for your post – and well done on getting so far with your research! If you need any professional help, you can contact me at info@tracingancestors-uk.com. However, research at these dates can be extremely difficult even for a seasoned professional – but I do have access to local archives, so if there’s anything I can do for you, please do email me.
Best wishes
Ros
My mothers 6th great uncle is Thomas Edkins.
Hi Ros My maiden name was Shakespeare and my family came from Rotherham, South Yorkshire. I’ve traced his ancestors back to Coventry and Charles Shakespeare, but I’m confused about his father Thomas who was born 1717 (or 1729?). Thomas’s ancestors, who were Thomas’s too, if I’m correct, came from Packwood /Little Packington and have a memorial there in the church, which takes me back to 1647 and this Thomas’s parents who were Thomas Shakespeare who married Grace – but who was Grace? Apparently she has no surname. Also, my cousin has had a DNA test which reveals that we’re related to William via Lettice Shakespeare, his aunt. Can you help me untangle this tree, please?
My maiden name was Shakespeare and my family came from Rotherham, South Yorkshire. I’ve traced our ancestors back to Coventry and Charles Shakespeare, but I’m confused about his father Thomas who was born 1717 (or 1729?). This Thomas’s ancestors, who were Thomas’s too, if I’m correct, came from Packwood /Little Packington and have a memorial there in the church, which takes me back to 1647 and this Thomas’s parents who were Thomas Shakespeare who married Grace in Arley Warwickshire – but who was Grace? Apparently she has no surname. Also, my cousin has had a DNA test which reveals that we’re related to William, via John Drake and Lettice Shakespeare, his aunt. Can you help me untangle this tree, please?
Hi Elaine. That does sound intriguing. As well as Warwickshire Record Office, Have you looked to see if there might be any helpful documents at the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust archives? Land or probate documents can be useful in these cases. If you could turn up a marriage settlement, that might reveal Grace’s surname too.
If you need any professional help with this, I can visit these archives for you (check the websites first). However, due to Covid, it might take a while as they have fewer staff, and it’s necessary to book ahead. Email me at info@tracingancestors-uk.com if you’d like to discuss this.
Ros
Hi Elaine. I have a Thomas Shakespeare born 1717 and his father Thomas also born 1677 I believe. Thomas is my 5th great grandfather
My 15x great grandfather was William Shakespeare‘s grandfather Richard Shakespeare. I’m descended from Robert Shakespeare who was Williams Uncle.
Wow – that’s amazing Kurt! I’m interested to know what resources you’ve used to get back that far?
Ros
I am a descendant of Joan Shakespeare. My family name is Linville. I too have Boones in my tree. Will have to look into the Baldwin lineage! I also am a direct descendants of Richard Moore who was one of 4 children on the Mayflower.
I believe William Shakespeare is my 1st cousin 13 times removed. My great Grandmother was Hannah Shakespeare (this is as per ansestry.com)
Hi Duncan. That’s great. Have you been able to verify this with original sources?
Ros
Hi all.
I’m a Quiney and Live in Worcestershire, and i still have a large quantity of family within the Warwickshire and the surrounding areas.
I have always been told my ancestry is linked with William Shakespeare as older family members have been contacted and traced back to Thomas Quiney.
Its something ive always thought i would like to do myself one day.
Hi Ross
That’s very interesting – I have certainly come across clusters of the Quiney name in Worcestershire and Warwickshire.
If you need any help or advice with this, let me know.
Ros
Thank you for the detailed information. I have been trying to trace my Shakespeare lineage. I have a Susannah Shakespeare as my third great grandmother (1815-1885), Joseph Shakespeare (1782-1854), and also a Thomas Webb (1744-1806). If anyone has any further information that can shed light on whether we may be connected, I would greatly appreciate it.
I am descended from Shakespeare’s aunt, Joan Arden, and her husband, Edmund Lambert, as are many others.
I JUST put it together this week that I am a descendent of his sister Joan!
Hello, I believe I may be related to WS through his Uncle Robert. I have a connection from my new tree to an established tree on Ancestry. I’d like someone to check the accuracy. How can I speak to you?
Hi Richard
Published trees on Ancestry are not always accurate – but I have sent you an email so we can discuss this more fully.
Ros
I am an ancestor from both Wm’s mother and father! Have certified it thru an accredited UK geneologist. I live in Utah. Am wondering if there are specific reunions for the Webb Ardens in England and/ or family tours of Stratford with others that are similarly related? Would love the chance to take my family to visit on a tour with a knowleadgeable guides about these particular families. . Is there such a tour?
Hi Jyllanna – I have sent you an email. And for anyone else wondering the same thing, I would suggest contacting the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust in Stratford-on-Avon.
Cheers
Ros