View source for Earl of Rothes

{{Short description|Scottish peer title}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2019}}
{{Infobox nobility title
| name              = Earldom of Rothes
| image             = [[File:Coronet of a British Earl.svg|150px]]<br/>[[File:Arms of Leslie, Earl of Rothes.svg|180px]]
| image_size        =  
| alt               =  
| caption           =<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed">
'''[[Blazon]]'''
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">
'''''Arms:''' Quarterly 1st and 4th Argent, on a bend azure three buckles or (Leslie) 2nd and 3rd Or, a lion rampant gules over all a ribbon sable (Abernethy)''<ref>Debrett's Peerage, 1968, p. 958</ref>
</div>	
</div>
| creation_date     = 1458
| creation          =  
| monarch           = [[James II of Scotland]]
| peerage           = [[Peerage of Scotland]] 
| baronetage        =  
| first_holder      = [[George Leslie, 1st Earl of Rothes]] 
| last_holder       =  
| present_holder    = [[James Leslie, 22nd Earl of Rothes]] 
| heir_apparent     =  
| heir_presumptive  = Hon. Alexander John Leslie
| remainder_to      =  
| subsidiary_titles = Lord Leslie
| status            = Extant
| extinction_date   = 
| family_seat       = [[West Milton, Dorset|Littlecroft]]
| former_seat       = [[Leslie House]]
| motto             =  
| footnotes         =  
}}
[[Image:19thEarlOfRothes.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Norman Leslie, <br>19th Earl of Rothes.]]


'''Earl of Rothes''' (pronounced "''Roth-es''") is a title in the [[Peerage of Scotland]], first created in 1458 for [[George Leslie, 1st Earl of Rothes|George Leslie, 1st Lord Leslie]]. The [[heir apparent]] to the earldom uses the [[courtesy title]] ''Lord Leslie''. The Earls of Rothes are the hereditary [[Clan chief|chiefs]] of [[Clan Leslie]], with their family seat at Littlecroft, near [[West Milton, Dorset]].

== History ==

=== Peerage of Scotland ===
{{unsourced section|date=August 2025}}
Before being elevated to an earldom, George Leslie had already been created '''Lord Leslie''' in 1445, in the Peerage of Scotland. His grandson, the third Earl, succeeded his elder brother in March 1513 but was killed later that year at the [[Battle of Flodden]] on 9 September. His son, the fourth Earl, served as an [[Extraordinary Lord of Session]] and was notably tried for the murder of [[Cardinal Beaton]], though he was ultimately acquitted.

The seventh Earl, a great-great-grandson of the fourth Earl, was a prominent political figure in Scotland. He served as [[Lord High Treasurer of Scotland|Lord High Treasurer]] from 1663 to 1667 and as [[Lord Chancellor of Scotland|Lord Chancellor]] from 1667 to 1681. In 1663, he secured a new charter that regranted the earldom of Rothes and the lordship of Leslie (styled ''Lord Leslie and Ballenbreich'') with a special remainder. This allowed succession, in the absence of male issue, to his eldest daughter Margaret Leslie, wife of [[Charles Hamilton, 5th Earl of Haddington]], and to her male and female descendants. The charter explicitly stipulated that the earldoms of Rothes and Haddington should never merge.

In 1680, the Earl was further ennobled with several new titles in the Peerage of Scotland: '''Duke of Rothes, Marquess of Bambreich, Earl of Leslie, Viscount of Lugtoun, and Lord Auchmotie and Caskieberry'''.<ref>{{Cite book |author1=Kidd, Charles |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PAANGwAACAAJ |title=Debrett's Peerage and Baronetage |author2=Williamson, David |date=July 2, 2002 |publisher=[[Debrett's Peerage]] |isbn=9781561592654}}</ref> These titles, however, were granted with remainder only to the heirs male of his body and became extinct upon his death in 1681, as he left no sons.

Under the 1663 charter, the earldom and lordship passed to his daughter Margaret Leslie, who became the eighth Countess of Rothes. Her husband, Lord Haddington, was succeeded in his own titles by their second son Thomas Hamilton (see [[Earl of Haddington]]). The Rothes titles passed to their eldest son John, who became the ninth Earl. He assumed the additional surname Leslie and served as a [[List of Scottish representative peers|Scottish representative peer]] in the [[British House of Lords]] from 1708 to 1710.

The tenth Earl, his son, was a [[Lieutenant-general (United Kingdom)|Lieutenant-General]] in the British Army and served as Commander-in-Chief of the Forces in Ireland. He was also a representative peer from 1723 to 1734 and again from 1747 to 1767. His son, the eleventh Earl, died unmarried and was succeeded by his eldest sister Jane Elizabeth, the twelfth Countess, despite a rival claim by their uncle Andrew Leslie. Jane Elizabeth married twice: first to George Raymond Evelyn, and then to [[Sir Lucas Pepys]].

Her son by her first marriage, George William Evelyn Leslie, became the thirteenth Earl and served as a representative peer from 1812 to 1817. He adopted the surname Leslie in lieu of Evelyn. Upon his death, the title passed to his daughter Henrietta Anne, the fourteenth Countess, who married George Gwyther. Both adopted the surname Leslie, and their grandson became the sixteenth Earl, who died young and without issue, so the title passed to his sister Henrietta, the seventeenth Countess, who married the Hon. George Waldegrave, a younger son of [[William Waldegrave, 8th Earl Waldegrave]]. They had no children.

Henrietta was succeeded by her aunt Mary Elizabeth, the eighteenth Countess, the second daughter of the fourteenth Countess. She married Captain Martin Edward Haworth, who assumed the surname Leslie by Royal Licence in 1886. Their grandson, the nineteenth Earl, served as a Scottish representative peer from 1906 to 1923. His wife, [[Noël Leslie, Countess of Rothes|Lucy Noël Martha Leslie, Countess of Rothes]], became widely known as a survivor of the [[RMS Titanic|RMS ''Titanic'']] disaster in 1912.

The twentieth Earl, their son, served as a representative peer from 1931 to 1959. Currently, the titles are held by his grandson, the twenty-second Earl of Rothes, who succeeded in 2005.

=== Baronage earldom ===
The baronage earldom of Rothes is first officially recorded in 1547.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Thomson |first=John Maitland |title=Registrum magni sigilli regum Scotorum, A.D. 1306-1668 |publisher=[[General Register Office for Scotland]] |volume=4 |pages=36 |language=la |trans-title=Register of the [[Great Seal of Scotland]]}}</ref> Distinct from the peerage earldom, this title was a feudal dignity in the [[Baronage of Scotland]], linked to territorial rights, jurisdiction, and land ownership.

On 19 October 1859, the title was formally reaffirmed by [[Queen Victoria]] in a charter granted to Henrietta, 17th Countess. The charter consolidated a range of feudal privileges — including markets, customs, rents, and the office of [[Sheriff of Fife and Kinross|Sheriff of Fife]] — into a single territorial unit comprising the earldom and lordship of Rothes, the barony and burgh of Leslie, and other associated properties.<ref>{{Cite web |title=C2/262/No. 4/Folio 8 |url=https://catalogue.nrscotland.gov.uk/nrsonlinecatalogue/details.aspx?reference=C2/262&st=1&tc=y&tl=n&tn=n&tp=n&k=&ko=a&r=C2/262&ro=s&df=&dt=&di=y |access-date=2025-06-27 |website=[[National Records of Scotland]]}}</ref>

After Henrietta's death, it did not pass to Mary Elizabeth, but instead followed the disposition of the underlying land. The dignity had earlier been put into trust and was subsequently succeeded by [[William Crundall|Sir William Crundall]] in 1919.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Leslie House {{!}} Canmore |url=https://canmore.org.uk/site/29953/leslie-house |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240420191032/https://canmore.org.uk/site/29953/leslie-house |archive-date=2024-04-20 |access-date=2025-06-27 |website=canmore.org.uk |language=en}}</ref> It remained in the Crundall family until 2004.

In that year, the earldom, alongside the [[Lord Leslie|Barony of Leslie]], were made available for reassignation, reportedly for a consideration of £150,000,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2003-08-12 |title=Title for sale could trigger legal battle New law would reduce value of barony |url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/12535077.title-for-sale-could-trigger-legal-battle-new-law-would-reduce-value-of-barony/ |access-date=2025-06-25 |website=The Herald |language=en}}</ref> and was subsequently succeeded by [[Sir Christopher Ondaatje]], a noted explorer and philanthropist.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Wayback Machine |url=http://www.lyon-court.com/lordlyon/files/WES%20Note.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303181027/http://www.lyon-court.com/lordlyon/files/WES%20Note.pdf |archive-date=2016-03-03 |access-date=2025-06-14 |website=www.lyon-court.com}}</ref>

Currently, the title, together with the hereditary sheriffdom of Fife, is held by Dario Item, the current Earl, who succeeded in 2024 by way of assignation.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Feudal Baronies of Scotland |url=https://debretts.com/directories/other-titles-2/the-feudal-baronies-of-scotland/ |access-date=2025-06-27 |website=[[Debrett's]] |language=en-US}}</ref>

== Earls of Rothes (1457) ==
* [[George Leslie, 1st Earl of Rothes]] (c. 1417–1490)
* [[George Leslie, 2nd Earl of Rothes]] (died 1513)
* [[William Leslie, 3rd Earl of Rothes]] (died 1513)
* [[George Leslie, 4th Earl of Rothes]] (died 1558)
* [[Andrew Leslie, 5th Earl of Rothes]] (died 1611)
* [[John Leslie, 6th Earl of Rothes]] (died 1641)
* [[John Leslie, 1st Duke of Rothes|John Leslie, 7th Earl of Rothes]] (c. 1630–1681) (created '''Duke of Rothes''' in 1680)

=== Dukes of Rothes (1680) ===
:''Also: Marquess of Bambreich, Earl of Leslie, Viscount of Lugtoun, and Lord Auchmotie and Caskieberry (1680)''
* [[John Leslie, 1st Duke of Rothes]] ({{Circa|1630}}–1681)

=== Earls of Rothes (1457; reverted) ===
* [[Margaret Leslie, 8th Countess of Rothes]] (died 1700)
* [[John Hamilton-Leslie, 9th Earl of Rothes]] (died 1722)
* [[John Leslie, 10th Earl of Rothes]] (1698–1767)
* [[John Leslie, 11th Earl of Rothes]] (1744–1773)
* [[Jane Elizabeth Leslie, 12th Countess of Rothes]] (1750–1810)
* George William Evelyn-Leslie, 13th Earl of Rothes (1768–1817)
* Henrietta Anne Evelyn-Leslie, 14th Countess of Rothes (1790–1819)
* [[George Leslie, 15th Earl of Rothes|George William Evelyn Leslie, 15th Earl of Rothes]] (1809–1841)
* George William Evelyn Leslie, 16th Earl of Rothes (1835–1859)
* Henrietta Anderson Morshead Leslie, 17th Countess of Rothes (1832–1886)
* Mary Elizabeth Leslie, 18th Countess of Rothes (1811–1893)
* [[Norman Leslie, 19th Earl of Rothes|Norman Evelyn Leslie, 19th Earl of Rothes]] (1877–1927)
* [[Malcolm Leslie, 20th Earl of Rothes|Malcolm George Dyer-Edwardes Leslie, 20th Earl of Rothes]] (1902–1974)
* [[Ian Leslie, 21st Earl of Rothes|Ian Lionel Malcolm Leslie, 21st Earl of Rothes]] (1932–2005)
* James Malcolm David Leslie, 22nd Earl of Rothes ({{Born in|1958}})

=== Earls of Rothes, baronage title ===

* [[William Crundall|Sir William Crundall, Earl of Rothes]] (1847–1934)
* [[Sir Christopher Ondaatje|Sir Christopher Ondaatje, Earl of Rothes]], Sheriff of Fife (b. 1933)
* Dario Item, Earl of Rothes, Sheriff of Fife (b. 1972)

== Family tree ==
{{Earls of Rothes family tree}}

==Present peer==
James Malcolm David Leslie, 22nd Earl of Rothes (born 4 June 1958) is the son of the 21st Earl and his wife Marigold Evans-Bevan. He was educated at [[Eton College]] and was styled as Lord Leslie in 1975. From 1990 he trained at the John Makepeace School for Craftsmen in Wood, at Parnham House, [[Beaminster]], Dorset.<ref name="BP2003" />

In 2003 he was living at Littlecroft, [[West Milton, Dorset|West Milton]], Dorset.{{Citation needed|date=June 2025}} On 15 April 2005, he succeeded as Earl of Rothes (S., 1458) and as Lord Leslie (S., 1445).<ref name="BP2003">''[[Burke's Peerage]]'', volume 1, 2003, p. 1356</ref> 

The [[heir presumptive]] is Lord Rothes's only brother, Alexander John Leslie (born 1962).<ref name="BP2003" />

===Line of succession ===
{{Tree list}}
* [[Image:Coronet of a British Earl.svg|15px]] ''[[Norman Evelyn Leslie, 19th Earl of Rothes]] (1877–1927) ''<ref>{{cite book |last1=Mosley |first1=Charles |title=Burke's Peerage, Baronetage & Knighthood |publisher=Burke's Peerage & Gentry |edition=2003}}</ref>
** [[Image:Coronet of a British Earl.svg|15px]] ''[[Malcolm Leslie, 20th Earl of Rothes|Malcolm George Dyer-Edwardes Leslie, 20th Earl of Rothes]] (1902–1974)'' <ref>{{cite book |last1=Townend |first1=Peter |title=Burke's Genealogical and Heraldic History of the Landed Gentry |publisher=Burke's Peerage Ltd |location=London, England |edition=18th}}</ref>
*** [[Image:Coronet of a British Earl.svg|15px]] ''[[Ian Leslie, 21st Earl of Rothes|Ian Lionel Malcolm Leslie, 21st Earl of Rothes]] (1932–2005)'' <ref>{{cite book |title=Burke's Peerage, Baronetage & Knighthood |date=2003 |pages=1356}}</ref>
**** [[Image:Coronet of a British Earl.svg|15px]] '''James Malcolm David Leslie, 22nd Earl of Rothes''' (b. 1958)
**** '''(1)''' Hon. Alexander John Leslie (b. 1962)
*** ''Lady Evelyn Leslie (1929–2011)''
**** '''(2)''' Angela Clare Mackworth-Young (b.1951)
**** '''(3)''' Susan Charlotte Mackworth-Young (b.1953)
**** '''(4)''' Lucinda Jane Mackworth-Young (b.1957)
***** '''(5)''' Hugo William Sells (b.1988)
***** '''(6)''' Rosanna Mary Sells (b.1991)
**** '''(7)''' Tessa Natalie Mackworth-Young (b.1959)
***** '''(8)''' Robin Matthew Hardingham (b.1990)
***** '''(9)''' Luke Charles Hardingham (b.1993)
***** '''(10)''' Clara Louise Hardingham (b. 1992)
** ''Hon. John Wayland Leslie (1909–1991)''
*** Alastair Pinckard Leslie (b. 1934) 
**** Fiona Jane Leslie (b. 1965) 
***** Frederick Leslie Blair de Klee (b. 1993) 
***** Lt Lachlan Richard John de Klee (b. 1996) 
***** Murray David Robin de Klee (b. 1999) 
**** Ann Mary Leslie (b. 1973)
*** ''Amber Elizabeth Leslie (1939–2018)''
{{Tree list/end}}

== Gallery of arms ==
<gallery>
File:Arms of Leslie, Earl of Rothes.svg|1. George Leslie [1458-1490] (COA, no known depictions)
File:Arms of Leslie, Earl of Rothes.svg|2. George Leslie [1490-1513] (COA, no known depictions)
File:Arms of Leslie, Earl of Rothes.svg|3. William Leslie [1513] (COA, no known depictions)
File:Arms of Leslie, Earl of Rothes.svg|4. George Leslie [1513-1558] (COA, no known depictions)
File:Andrew Leslie, 5th Earl of Rothes.jpg|5. Andrew Leslie [1558-1611]
File:John Leslie, 6th Earl of Rothes.jpg|6. John Leslie [1611-1641]
File:L. Schunemann (active 1651-1681) - John Leslie (1630–1681), 7th Earl and 1st Duke of Rothes, Lord Chancellor - PG 860 - National Galleries of Scotland.jpg|7. John Leslie, the 7th Earl & 1st Duke [1641-1680,] [1680-1681]
File:Arms of Leslie, Earl of Rothes.svg|8. Margaret Leslie [1681-1700]
File:John Leslie, 9th Earl of Rothes.jpg|9. John Hamilton-Leslie [1700-1722]
File:General John Leslie, 10th Earl of Rothes.jpg|10. John Leslie (General of the Army) [1722-1767]
File:John Leslie, 11th Earl of Rothes (or his brother).jpg|11. John Leslie (or his brother) [1767-1773]
File:Arms of Leslie, Earl of Rothes.svg|12. Jane Elizabeth Leslie [1773-1810]
File:Arms of Leslie, Earl of Rothes.svg|13. George William Evelyn-Leslie [1810-1817]
File:Arms of Leslie, Earl of Rothes.svg|14. Henrietta Anne Evelyn-Leslie [1817-1819]
File:Arms of Leslie, Earl of Rothes.svg|15. George William Evelyn Leslie [1819-1841]
File:Arms of Leslie, Earl of Rothes.svg|16. George William Evelyn Leslie [1841-1859]
File:Arms of Leslie, Earl of Rothes.svg|17. Henrietta Anderson Morshead Leslie [1859-1886]
File:Arms of Leslie, Earl of Rothes.svg|18. Mary Elizabeth Leslie [1886-1893]
File:19thEarlOfRothes.jpg|19. Norman Evelyn Leslie [1893-1927]
File:Malcolm Leslie, photograph.jpg|19. Malcolm George Dyer-Edwardes Leslie [1927-1974]
File:Arms of Leslie, Earl of Rothes.svg|22. James Malcolm David Leslie [2005-]
File:Alexander Leslie, Heir to the Earldom of Rothes, Lord Leslie (since 2005).png|23. Alexander Leslie (heir), Lord Leslie since 2005
</gallery>
== Notes ==
{{reflist}}

==References==
* {{Cite EB1911|wstitle=Rothes, Earls of|volume=23|pages=757–758}}
* Kidd, Charles, Williamson, David (editors). ''Debrett's Peerage and Baronetage'' (1990 edition). New York: St Martin's Press, 1990, {{Page needed |date=February 2013}}
* {{Rayment|date=February 2012}}

{{Extant British earldoms}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Rothes}}
[[Category:Earls of Rothes| ]]
[[Category:Earldoms in the Peerage of Scotland]]
[[Category:Peerages created with special remainders]]
[[Category:1458 establishments in Scotland]]
[[Category:Noble titles created in 1458]]
[[Category:Scottish people of Hungarian descent]]