William FitzRoy, 3rd Duke Of Cleveland

William FitzRoy, 3rd Duke of Cleveland and 2nd Duke of Southampton, was born on 19 February 1698. He was an English nobleman who held multiple titles during his lifetime. His early title was Earl of Chichester, a designation he bore from birth until 1730. In that year, he succeeded his father, Charles FitzRoy, as the Duke of Southampton, Duke of Cleveland, and Chief Butler of England.

His father, Charles FitzRoy, was the third illegitimate son of King Charles II of England and Barbara Villiers, 1st Duchess of Cleveland. William FitzRoy married Lady Henrietta Finch in 1731. Lady Henrietta was the daughter of Daniel Finch, 2nd Earl of Nottingham. The marriage did not produce any children, and Lady Henrietta Finch died in 1742.

Following the death of his wife, William FitzRoy led a relatively private life. He enjoyed the benefits of several sinecures, including the positions of Receiver-General of the Profits of the Seals in the King's Bench and Common Pleas, as well as Comptroller of the Seal and Green Wax Offices.

William FitzRoy died on 18 May 1774. At the time of his death, the dukedoms and subsidiary titles he held became extinct. The dukedom of Cleveland was subsequently recreated for his grand-nephew, William Vane, who was made the 1st Duke of Cleveland.

References for William FitzRoy's biography include James William Edmund Doyle’s "The Official Baronage of England," published in 1885, which provides detailed records of English peerage titles and lineages.