In 1647, he had already been created Lord Cochrane of Dundonald in the Peerage of Scotland, with remainder to the heirs male of his body.

The 9th Earl was a scientist and inventor; among his inventions was the first industrial technique for extracting coal tar.

However, none of the Earl's inventions brought him much money—for instance, the Navy, the most likely customer for the coal tar, had put off buying it in quantity until after the patent on it had expired—and having lost the family estates (he had used them as collateral for the tar works), he died deep in debt in a slum in Paris in 1831.

After release he went abroad and commanded the Chilean, Peruvian, Brazilian and Greek navies with distinction.

[citation needed]He was succeeded by his son Thomas Cochrane, the eleventh Earl (died 1885).

On his death the titles passed to his eldest son Douglas Cochrane, the twelfth Earl (died 1935).

He was commissioned in the Life Guards, a Lieutenant-General in the British Army, a Scottish Representative Peer from 1886 to 1922, and a General Officer Commanding the Canadian Forces, whence he left us with the admonition: Men of Canada!

As of 2017[update] the titles are held by his only son Ian Alexander Cochrane, the fifteenth Earl, who succeeded in 1986.

His son Sir Thomas John Cochrane was also a naval commander and served as Governor of Newfoundland.

His son Alexander Cochrane-Baillie was a Conservative politician and was created Baron Lamington in 1880 (see this title for more information).

The family seats are Lochnell Castle, near Oban, Argyll and Bute, and Beacon Hall, near Cranbrook, Kent.