It was created in 1754 for Philip Yorke, 1st Baron Hardwicke, Lord High Chancellor of Great Britain from 1737 to 1756.

Lord Hardwicke died without surviving male issues and was succeeded by his nephew, the fourth Earl.

Also, he held political office in the first two Conservative administrations of the Earl of Derby as Postmaster General and as Lord Privy Seal.

His son, the fifth Earl, was also a Conservative politician and served under Derby as Comptroller of the Household and under Benjamin Disraeli as Master of the Buckhounds.

The Honourable Joseph Yorke, third son of the first Earl, was a soldier, politician and diplomat and was created Baron Dover in 1788.

The Honourable John Yorke, fourth son of the first Earl, sat as Member of Parliament for Reigate and Higham Ferrers.

Lady Amabel Yorke, elder daughter of the second Earl, was created Countess de Grey in 1816 (see Marquess of Ripon).

The heir apparent is the present holder's son, Philip Alexander Joseph Yorke, Viscount Royston (b.