James Johnstone, 1st Earl of Hartfell (1602 – April 1653)[1] was a Scottish peer and royalist.

He was the only son of Sir James Johnstone, the Warden of the West Marches and his wife Sarah, sister of William Maxwell, 5th Lord Herries of Terregles.

[1] On 8 March 1643, he was further honoured with the titles Lord Johnston of Lochwood, Moffatdale and Evandale and Earl of Hartfell.

[1] Johnstone supported the king in the English Civil War and was imprisoned at Edinburgh Castle by the Committee of Estates in 1644.

[2] He died at London in 1653 and was succeeded in his titles by his older son William Johnstone, 1st Marquess of Annandale.