Robert French (1716–1779) was a County Galway landlord and Member of Parliament. Robert French's family was one of The Tribes of Galway. His ancestor (died 1630) was one of the two Galwaymen who successfully petitioned James II for a town charter, awarded in 1610. Patrick's great-grandson was , who conformed to the Established Church and was the Robert's father. He married Nicolas, sister of Viscount Gosford, and had issue. He also had seven children by his mistress, Winifred Higgins.