The first creation came in the Peerage of England in 1697 when the naval commander Admiral of the Fleet Edward Russell was made Earl of Orford, in the County of Suffolk.

He was created Baron of Shingay, in the County of Cambridge, and Viscount Barfleur at the same time, also in the Peerage of England.

Lord Orford had no children and the titles became extinct on his death in 1727.

The title was created again in the Peerage of Great Britain in 1742 for Robert Walpole, de facto acknowledged to have been the first Prime Minister of Great Britain, who at the same time was created Viscount Walpole and Baron Walpole of Houghton.

At the time, the family seat was Houghton Hall, which was owned and commissioned by Robert Walpole.