Bayning was the son of another Paul Bayning, a merchant of Bentley Parva, in Essex, and of London, by his father"s marriage to Susannah Norden, and his baptism was recorded at Street Olave"s, Southwark, on 28 April 1588. His father served as a Sheriff of London for the year 1593.
As a young man Bayning inherited large estates in Essex and Suffolk. He made his principal seat at Honingham Hall in Norfolk. On 24 September 1611 King James I created Bayning a baronet, and he served as Sheriff of Essex for 1617-1618.
On 27 February 1628 he was created Baron Bayning of Horkesley in Essex, and a year later on 8 March 1628 received the higher title of Viscount Bayning of Sudbury in Suffolk.
On the death of the second Viscount Bayning in 1638, the Bayning titles became extinct, while the estates were inherited by Anne Baber. In 1674 She was created Viscountess Bayning for life, and on her death in 1678 that title also became extinct.
Her younger sister Elizabeth Dacre was created Countess of Sheppey for life in 1680. In 1797 the great-great-grandson of Viscountess Bayning, Charles Townshend, was created Baron Bayning.
