Cairns had already been created Baron Cairns, of Garmoyle in the County of Antrim, in 1867,[1] and was made Viscount Garmoyle, in the County of Antrim, at the same time he was given the earldom.

He died young without male issue and was succeeded by his younger brother, the third Earl.

As of 2018[update], the titles are held by his son, the sixth Earl, who succeeded in 1989.

Sir William Cairns, half-brother of the first Earl, served as Governor of Queensland from 1875 to 1877.

The heir apparent is the present holder's eldest son, Hugh Sebastian Frederick Cairns, Viscount Garmoyle (born 1965), whose heir is his son, Hon.