Earl of Ross

It seems to have been made a separate earldom in the mid 12th century, when Malcolm MacHeth is found designated Earl of Ross.

[citation needed] However, Floris held the title only in a nominal sense, as he took no active part in the governance of Ross.

The true founder was the famous Ferquhard, from the Irish Ó Beólláin (O'Beolain, Boland, Bolan) family.

William had two daughters, the eldest of which, Euphemia, married Sir Walter Leslie, who then became jure uxoris Earl of Ross.

Euphemia's uncle Donald, Lord of the Isles, had a superior claim by right of his wife, Mariota Leslie.

In 1487 his earldom was raised to a dukedom, and he was granted the additional titles Earl of Ardmenach and Lord of Ardmannoch, Brechin and Navarre.

Upon the investiture of Charles Stuart as Duke of Albany on 2 December 1600, he was also granted the Marquisate of Ormonde, the Earldom of Ross, and the Lordship of Ardmannoch.

Charles's elder brother Henry died unexpectedly in 1612, and he became Prince of Wales as heir apparent to the throne.