 He was born on 26 June 1659, the eldest surviving son and heir of Sir Richard Brownlow, 2nd Baronet of Humby, Lincolnshire, by his wife Elizabeth Freke, a daughter of John Freke of Stretton in Dorset.He was educated at Westminster School.In 1668 he succeeded his father as the 3rd Baronet, of Humby, and in 1679 he inherited the estate of Belton, with others, from his childless great-uncle Sir John Brownlow, 1st Baronet.