Thomas Wotton (genealogist)

Thomas Wotton (1671?–1734) was an English bibliographer and genealogist, known primarily for his work The English Baronetage.

Wotton was born around 1671, though his exact birthplace and parentage remain somewhat unclear. He devoted much of his adult life to genealogical research, building a significant personal library and corresponding with numerous families of note in England.

His major published work, The English Baronetage, Containing a Genealogical and Historical Account of all the English Baronets now existing: With their Descent, Marriages, and Issues (published in five volumes between 1727 and 1741), was an ambitious undertaking. While it provided valuable information on many baronet families, it was also criticized for inaccuracies and omissions, drawing on varying levels of source reliability. Following Wotton's death, the final volumes of The English Baronetage were completed by others, adding to its uneven quality.

Despite the critiques, Wotton's Baronetage remains a significant resource for genealogical researchers interested in tracing the histories of English baronet families. It provides details on lineages, marriages, and inheritances that are often difficult to find in other sources.

Beyond the Baronetage, Wotton is also noted for his extensive manuscript collections of genealogical notes and family histories. Many of these papers are held by libraries and archives, offering further insights into English families during the 17th and 18th centuries. He died in 1734.