 His parents had seven children, including Sir Thomas Pakenham, a Royal Navy officer.His father was the eldest son and heir of Edward Pakenham MP of Pakenham Hall (son of Sir Thomas Pakenham) and Margaret Bradestan (daughter and heiress of John Bradestan).His mother was the daughter and sole heiress of Michael Cuffe MP (second son and sole heir of Francis Cuffe), and Frances (née Sandford) Cuffe (a daughter of Henry Sandford of Castlereagh).