Knollys, the name of an English family descended from Sir Thomas Knollys (d. 1435), Lord Mayor of London. The first distinguished member of the family was Sir Francis Knollys (c. 1514–1596), English statesman, son of Robert Knollys, or Knolles (d. 1521), a courtier in the service and favour of Henry VII and Henry VIII. Robert had also a younger son, Henry, who took part in public life during the reign of Elizabeth I and who died in 1583.