It was created by Charles I in 1633 for the prominent Presbyterian Sir John Gordon, 2nd Baronet.
Both titles were created with remainder to "heirs male whatsoever bearing the arms and name of Gordon"[1] The sixth viscount was granted a marquessate in the Jacobite Peerage by the Old Pretender in 1707, and was involved in the Jacobite rising of 1715.
However, the non-Jacobite titles were restored by Act of Parliament in 1824 in favour of John Gordon, who became the tenth viscount.
Debrett's Peerage and Baronetage claims that the Gordon of Earlston baronets are "probably next in remainder" to the titles.
[3] The viscountcy is named for the family seat, Kenmure Castle near New Galloway.