Despencer (le Despencer) or Despenser is an occupational surname referring to the medieval court office of

steward Steward may refer to: Positions or roles * Steward (office), a representative of a monarch * Steward (Methodism), a leader in a congregation and/or district * Steward, a person responsible for supplies of food to a college, club, or other ins ...

, most commonly associated with Norman-English barons of the 13th- and 14th-centuries and their descendants. Notable people with this surname include: * Edward le Despenser (1310–1342), soldier, father of Edward le Despenser, 1st Baron le Despencer. * Edward le Despencer, 1st Baron le Despencer (1335–1375), the son of Edward le Despencer * Elizabeth le Despencer, Baroness le Despencer (1342–1402), English noblewoman born to Bartholomew de Burghersh * Francis Dashwood, 11th Baron le Despencer (1708–1781), English rake, politician, Chancellor of the Exchequer, founder of the Hellfire Club *

Henry le Despencer Henry le Despenser ( 1341 – 23 August 1406) was an English nobleman and Bishop of Norwich whose reputation as the 'Fighting Bishop' was gained for his part in suppressing the Peasants' Revolt in East Anglia and in defeating the peasants at th ...

( 1341–1406), Bishop of Norwich, the younger brother of Edward le Despencer * Sir

Hugh le Despencer (justiciar) Hugh le Despenser, 1st Baron le Despenser (1223 – 4 August 1265) was an important ally of Simon de Montfort, 6th Earl of Leicester, Simon de Montfort during the reign of Henry III of England, Henry III. He served briefly as ''Justiciar'' of En ...

, Baron le Despencer (1223–1265) son of sheriff Hugh and an important ally of Simon de Montfort during the reign of Henry III. He served briefly as Justiciar of England in 1260 and as Constable of the Tower of London and the castles of Shrewsbury, Bruges, and Balsover. *

Hugh le Despenser (sheriff) Sir Hugh le Despenser (died 1238) was a wealthy landowner in the East Midlands of England, and served as High Sheriff of Berkshire. Among his descendants were the infamous Despensers who became favourites of King Edward II. Origins He was the ...

(died 1238) was a wealthy land owner in the East Midlands of England, as well as High Sheriff of Berkshire. *

Hugh le Despenser the Elder Hugh le Despenser (1 March 126127 October 1326), sometimes referred to as "the Elder Despenser", was for a time the chief adviser to King Edward II of England. He was created a baron in 1295 and Earl of Winchester in 1322. One day after being c ...

, 1st Earl of Winchester (1262–1326), for a time the chief adviser to King Edward II of England. * Hugh le Despenser the Younger (1286–1326) became Royal Chamberlain in 1318 and the favourite of Edward II of England but developed a reputation for greed and, after falling out with the Barons, was accused of treason. He was forced into exile in 1321 with his father, who later fled to Bordeaux. Hugh was captured and sentenced to public execution by hanging (for thievery), and drawing and quartering (for treason). * Hugh le Despencer, Baron le Despencer (1338) (1308–1349), the eldest son and heir of Hugh Despenser the Younger, fought at the battles of Sluys and Crécy. He was created a baron by writ of summons to Parliament in 1338 (the titles of his father and grandfather having been forfeited by virtue of their treason convictions). * Isabel le Despenser, Countess of Arundel (1312–1356), married, as his 1st wife, Richard Fitzalan, 10th Earl of Arundel. The marriage was annulled and their child, Edmund, was disinherited. *

James Despencer-Robertson James Archibald Saint George Fitzwarenne-Despencer-Robertson, (7 November 1886 – 5 May 1942) was an English Conservative politician. The only surviving son of Sir Helenus Robert Robertson and his wife Kate Ann Banks, he was born at Upton Grang ...

OBE (1886–1942) a Conservative Party politician in the United Kingdom * Richard le Despenser, 4th Baron Burghersh (1396–1414) was the son and heir of Thomas le Despenser, 1st Earl of Gloucester *

Robert Despenser Robert Despenser (sometimes Robert Despensator,Keats-Rohan ''Domesday People'' p. 383 Robert Dispenser,Mason ''William II'' p. 75 or Robert fitzThurstin;Barlow ''William Rufus'' pp. 141–142 died after 1098) was a Norman officeholder and landhol ...

(d. after 1098), a court official and landholder under William II of England * Thomas le Despenser, 1st Earl of Gloucester (22 September 1373 – 13 January 1400, Bristol) was the son of Edward le Despenser, 1st Baron le Despencer, whom he succeeded in 1375. He was executed after the abortive Epiphany Rising.

See also