Jacobite peerage facts for kids

Title page of The Jacobite Peerage, 1904

The Jacobite peerage refers to special titles of nobility that were created by James II and VII and his family after he lost his throne in 1688. This event is known as the Glorious Revolution. After James II was no longer king of England, Scotland, and Ireland, he and his family (called the Jacobite pretenders) continued to act as if they were still the rightful rulers.

They created new titles like Duke, Earl, and Baron. However, these titles were not officially recognized by the governments in England, Scotland, or Ireland. Instead, they were used mainly by Jacobite supporters, especially in other European countries like France and Spain, and by the Pope.

New Jacobite peerage titles stopped being created after 1760. The only exception was a title given by Prince Charles Edward Stuart (often called the "Young Pretender") to his daughter around 1783. Below, you'll find some of the most important titles created by the Stuart family while they were in exile.

Understanding Jacobite Titles

The Jacobite peerage includes different levels of nobility, just like regular peerages. These levels are Dukes, Marquesses, Earls, Viscounts, and Barons (or Lords of Parliament in Scotland). There were also Baronets, which are hereditary titles but not part of the peerage itself.

Dukes and Duchesses

Dukes and Duchesses hold the highest rank in the peerage. Many Jacobite dukedoms were created, but most of them no longer exist today. Here are a few examples:

• Duke of Powis (England): Created in 1689 for William Herbert. This title ended in 1748.
• Duke of Albemarle (England): Created in 1696 for Henry FitzJames, an unofficial son of King James II. This title ended in 1702.
• Duke of Perth (Scotland): Created before 1701 for James Drummond. This title is still held by a family today. The current holder is James David Drummond, the 16th Duke of Perth.
• Duchess of Albany (Scotland): Created in 1783 for Charlotte Stuart, the daughter of Charles Edward Stuart. This title ended in 1789.

Marquesses

Marquesses are the next highest rank after Dukes. Many Marquess titles were connected to a higher Dukedom, meaning they were given to the same person.

• Marquess of Montgomery (England): Created in 1689 as a title for the Duke of Powis.
• Marquess of Drummond (Scotland): Created before 1701 as a title for the Duke of Perth. This title still exists today.
• Marquess of Blair (Scotland): Created in 1717 as a title for the Duke of Rannoch. This title also still exists.

Earls and Countesses

Earls and Countesses are a common rank of nobility. Many Jacobite earldoms were created across England, Scotland, and Ireland.

• Earl of Dover (England): Created in 1689 for Henry Jermyn. This title ended in 1708.
• Earl of Jersey (England): Created in 1716 for William Villiers. This title is still held by a family today. The current holder is William Villiers, the 9th Earl of Jersey.
• Earl of Dundee (Scotland): Created before 1705 for John Baptist Gualterio. This title is still held by a family today.
• Earl of Dillon (Scotland): Created in 1721 for Arthur Dillon. This title is still held by a family today. The current holder is Henry Benedict Charles Dillon, the 14th Earl of Dillon.
• Earl of Lucan (Ireland): Created in 1691 for Patrick Sarsfield, a Jacobite leader. This title ended in 1719.

Viscounts

Viscounts are a rank below Earls. Many Viscount titles were also connected to higher peerage titles.

• Viscount Dartford (England): Created in 1716 as a title for the Earl of Jersey. This title still exists today.
• Viscount Goring (England): Created in 1722 for Sir Henry Goring. This title is still held by a family today. The current holder is William Burton Nigel Goring, the 10th Viscount Goring.
• Viscount Cargill (Scotland): Created before 1701 as a title for the Duke of Perth. This title still exists.
• Viscount Mountcashell (Ireland): Created in 1689 for Justin MacCarthy. This title ended in 1694.

Barons and Lords of Parliament

Barons (in England and Ireland) and Lords of Parliament (in Scotland) are the lowest rank of the peerage. Many of these titles were also subsidiary, meaning they were held by someone with a higher title.

• Baron Hoo (England): Created in 1716 as a title for the Earl of Jersey. This title still exists today.
• Baron Bullinghel (England): Created in 1722 as a title for the Viscount Goring. This title still exists today.
• Lord Clanranald (Scotland): Created in 1716 for Ranald MacDonald of Clanranald. This title is still held by a family today. The current holder is Ranald Alexander Macdonald, the 10th Lord of Clanranald.
• Lord Lochiel (Scotland): Created in 1717 for John Cameron. This title is still held by a family today. The current holder is Donald Angus Cameron, the 10th Lord Lochiel.
• Baron Nugent of Riverston (Ireland): Created in 1689 for Thomas Nugent. This title is still held by a family today.
• Baron Loughmore (Ireland): Created in 1690 for Nicholas Purcell. This title is still held by a family today.

Baronets

Baronets are hereditary titles, but they are not considered part of the peerage. They are usually "Sir" or "Dame."

• Redmond (England): Created in 1717 for Sir Peter Redmond. This title ended before 1732.
• MacLeod (Nova Scotia): Created in 1723. This title still exists today.
• Robertson of Struan (Nova Scotia): Created in 1725 for Alexander Robertson. This title still exists today.
• Hay of Restalrig (Nova Scotia): Created in 1766 for John Hay. This title still exists today.
• Lally (Ireland): Created in 1707. This title ended in 1830.

Special Orders of Knighthood

The Jacobite court also awarded special honors, like being a Knight of the Garter or a Knight of the Thistle. These were very prestigious awards.

Knights of the Garter

The Order of the Garter is the highest order of chivalry in England.

• Richard Talbot, Duke of Tyrconnell: Awarded in 1690.
• James Prince of Wales: Awarded in 1692. He later became the head of the Order.
• Charles Edward, Prince of Wales: Awarded in 1722. He also later became the head of the Order.

Knights of the Thistle

The Order of the Thistle is the highest order of chivalry in Scotland.

• James Prince of Wales: Awarded in 1692. He later became the head of the Order.
• James Drummond, Marquis of Drummond: Awarded in 1705.
• Charles Edward, Prince of Wales: Awarded in 1722. He also later became the head of the Order.