But in reality, according to Lefroy's direct descendants who are still based in his native Limerick, what happened between the pair was just a "mild flirtation."

"From what we have always known, what happened between Thomas and Jane was never anything serious, " said John Lefroy, who is descended from Thomas Lefroy's younger brother, Henry.

"They had some sort of relationship when Tom went to Hampshire for a holiday and they obviously met at balls but it was never anything more than a mild flirtation."

Thomas went home to marry Mary Paul, a family friend from Co Wexford.

The pair were married for close to 70 years, had a large family and divided their time between the family estate in Longford and their home in Leeson Street, Dublin.

"It was a long and very happy marriage, by all accounts, " said Lefroy.

"Jane Austen wouldn't have been a suitable match for Lefroy, as far as his family were concerned - funny as it is to say that now. But Mary Paul wasn't an heiress either, until her brother died in later years. So we have always been inclined to believe it was a love match."

Thomas Lefroy, born in 1776, was the eldest son of Anthony and Ann Lefroy, who lived in O'Connell Street in Limerick.

Thomas was very intelligent and entered Trinity College at the tender age of 14 to study for a fellowship. He won three gold medals while he was there and gained his degree aged 19.

Upon graduation, however, he became ill from overwork and was sent away to his uncle George's rectory in Ashe, Hampshire to recuperate. It was here that he met Austen, whose father was rector of the neighbouring Stevenson.

"Tom was a very serious young man and very studious, " said Lefroy. "He took himself too seriously and when he wore himself out studying his uncle's house was a good place for him to recover."

Lefroy, who saw previews of Becoming Jane, starring Anne Hathaway, this weekend said it was "a good yarn, but it definitely took liberties with the truth. There was a scene with Tom in a boxing ring that seemed highly unlikely, given his serious character, " he said.

"And although he knew Mary Paul previous to his Hampshire visit, there has never been any indication that they were pre-ordained to marry.

"You can't really look at the film as an exact telling of history but it was very interesting watching my family history unfold."

The Lefroys have always been aware of Jane Austen's connection with their family.

"Everyone naturally finds it incredibly interesting but, to be honest, we've never looked on it as a huge deal, " said Lefroy, who lives near his old family home.

"It was just normal for us, growing up with it. We have great family history records, which is how we know it all. Every branch of the Lefroys took an interest in it and kept it up to date. It's interesting to look back on."

Thomas Lefroy served as Lord Chief Justice of Ireland from 1852 to 1866 and lived to be well over 90 years old.

"He sat on the bench until he was 89 years old, " said Lefroy. "He was sharp as a knife right up until his death."