It was created in 1606 for John Erskine, Earl of Mar, with remainder to his heirs male and assignees whatsoever and with the power to nominate his successor.
He emigrated to North America to escape religious persecution and established a colony in what is now Carolina.
His son, the fourth Lord, succeeded his kinsman in the earldom of Buchan in 1695.
John Erskine of Cardross, younger son of the second Lord, was a soldier and politician.
His son by his second wife, Sir George Erskine, was a general in the British Army.