Thomas West, 3rd Baron De La Warr (or 12th Baron) (1577-1618) was a politician and merchant who became governor of the colony of Virginia (c1609). He made his mark on the New World through the state, Native American people, bay and river of Delaware, which were all named after him.

Thomas’s [great-great-uncle], Thomas West, 9th Baron De La Warr (1475-1554), long-time owner of the old Halnaker House in Boxgrove, was buried in St Mary’s Church in Broadwater. This was also the burial place of his father Thomas West, 8th Baron De La Warr (1457-1525), formerly the High Sheriff of Surrey and Sussex and his third wife Eleanor Copley [the great-great grandparents of the 9th Baron].