Percy
Percy, the name of a noble family of northern England. Heads of the house of Percy have been earls and dukes of Northumberland. William de Percy (1030?–1096) came to England with William the Conqueror. Sir Henry Percy (1342–1408) was made an earl in 1377. His son, also Sir Henry Percy (1364–1403), was called Hotspur for his love of battle. The male line of the Percys became extinct in 1670. Through the female line, the earldom descended to Sir Hugh Smithson (1715–1786) in 1750. He took the name of Percy and was made duke of Northumberland in 1766. His line has continued to the present day.