Seven Earls of Scotland

The term "earl" refers to a title and rank of British nobility, equivalent to the French comte or German Graf (count). It is the oldest title of English nobles and historically was the highest, now ranking third behind duke and marquess. The title originated from the Scandinavian jarl and was introduced to England under Canute.1

In Scotland, the title of mormaer (meaning "great steward") was used for rulers of seven provinces. This Celtic title was later rendered as jarl by the Norsemen and then as "earl" under Anglo-Norman influence after the 12th century. The seven original Scottish earldoms corresponded to these mormaerships: Angus, Atholl with Gowrie, Caithness with Sutherland, Fife, Mar with Buchan, Moray with Ross, and Strath Earn with Menteith. The title of earl marischal was a specific Scottish office of marshal from the 15th century to 1716.23