[2][3] It is one of the highest titles of Spanish nobility associated with one of the members of the Grandes de España.

The title was created in 1487 by King Ferdinand II of Aragón (el Catolico)[4] who raised the County of Aliaga to the status of a Dukedom.

The title was created as a favor to Juan Fernández de Híjar y Cabrera who had been previously appointed as Count of Aliaga on 31 December 1461 by Ferdinand's father, John II of Aragon.

The title of Count of Aliaga, along with a title of lordship over Castellote, was granted to Juan Fernández by John II as a compensation and restitution bonus after peace was made in a war for power between Carlos de Viana, King John II's son and the king.

The title over the Dukedom of Aliaga has been carried consistently for almost five centuries, having been almost 400 years under the control of the House of Híjar.