the 1st earl was the eldest son of thomas anson, 1st viscount anson, who on 17 february 1806 had been created baron soberton, of soberton in the county of southampton, and viscount anson, of shugborough and orgreave in the county of stafford, both in the peerage of the united kingdom. also in 1831, the 1st earl's cousin william anson was made a baronet (see anson baronets). the earldom of lichfield continued to descend within the anson family from father to son until the death of the 4th earl, in 1960. he was succeeded by his grandson, the 5th earl, the only son of lieutenant-colonel thomas william arnold anson, viscount anson (1913–1958), eldest son of the 4th earl. known professionally as patrick lichfield, he was a successful photographer.