The title Duke of Lennox has been created several times in the peerage of Scotland, for Clan Stewart of Darnley. The dukedom, named for the district of Lennox in Dumbarton, was first created in 1581, and had formerly been the Earldom of Lennox. The second duke was made Duke of Richmond; at his death, the dukedom of Richmond became extinct. The fourth duke was also created Duke of Richmond; at the death of the sixth duke, both dukedoms became extinct. The Dukedom of Richmond and one month later that of Lennox were created in 1675 for Charles Lennox, an illegitimate son of Charles II. The Duke of Richmond and Lennox was created Duke of Gordon in 1876. Thus, the duke holds four dukedoms (if including Aubigny-sur-Nère), more than any other person in the realm; or (not counting the putative French title) three, equal since 2022 to Prince William, Duke of Cornwall, of Rothesay and of Cambridge.

Dukedom of Lennox
held with
Dukedom of Richmond, Dukedom of Gordon
Arms of the Duke of Richmond, Lennox and Gordon
Creation date1581 (first creation)
1675 (second creation)
Created byJames VI (first creation)
Charles II (second creation)
PeeragePeerage of Scotland
First holderEsmé Stewart, 1st Duke of Lennox
Present holderCharles Gordon-Lennox, 11th Duke of Richmond
Heir apparentCharles Gordon-Lennox, Earl of March and Kinrara
Remainder tothe 1st Duke's heirs male of the body lawfully begotten
Extinction date1672 (first creation)
Seat(s)Goodwood House

Dukes of Lennox (1581)

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Arms of Esmé Stuart, 1st Duke of Lennox
Created by James VI of Scotland
# Name Period Duchess Notes Other titles
1 Esmé Stewart[1]
1542-1583
1581-1583 Catherine de Balsac Relative and favourite of King James VI Earl of Lennox
2 Ludovic Stewart[2]
1574-1624
1583-1624 Lady Frances Howard Son of the preceding Duke of Richmond
Earl of Lennox
Earl of Richmond
3 Esmé Stewart
1579-1624
1624 Katherine Clifton, 2nd Baroness Clifton Brother of the preceding Earl of Lennox
Earl of March
4 James Stewart
1612-1655
1624-1655 Lady Mary Villiers Son of the preceding Duke of Richmond
Earl of Lennox
Earl of March
Baron Clifton
5 Esmé Stewart
1649-1660
1655-1660 unmarried Son of the preceding
6 Charles Stewart
1639-1672
1660-1672 Lady Elizabeth Rogers
Lady Margaret Banaster
Frances Stewart
Cousin of the preceding Duke of Richmond
Earl of Lennox
Earl of March
Earl of Lichfield
Baron Clifton

Dukes of Lennox (1675)

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Created by Charles II of Scotland
# Name Period Duchess Notes Other titles
1 Charles Lennox
1672-1723
1675-1723 Lady Anne Brudenell Extramarital son of Charles II Duke of Richmond
Earl of March
Earl of Darnley
Baron of Settrington
Lord of Torboulton
2 Charles Lennox
1701-1750
1723-1750 Lady Sarah Cadogan Son of the preceding
3 Charles Lennox
1735-1806
1750-1806 Lady Mary Bruce Son of the preceding
4 Charles Lennox
1764-1819
1806-1819 Lady Charlotte Gordon Nephew of the preceding
5 Charles Gordon-Lennox
1791-1860
1819-1860 Lady Caroline Paget Son of the preceding
6 Charles Gordon-Lennox
1818-1903
1860-1903 Lady Frances Greville Son of the preceding Duke of Richmond
Duke of Gordon
Earl of March
Earl of Darnley
Earl of Kinrara
Baron of Settrington
Lord of Torboulton
7 Charles Gordon-Lennox
1845-1928
1903-1928 widowed Son of the preceding
8 Charles Gordon-Lennox
1870-1935
1928-1935 Hilda Brassey Son of the preceding
9 Frederick Gordon-Lennox
1904-1989
1935-1989 Elizabeth Hudson Son of the preceding
10 Charles Gordon-Lennox
1929-2017
1989-2017 Susan Grenville-Grey Son of the preceding
11 Charles Gordon-Lennox
b. 1955
since 2017 Janet Elizabeth Astor Son of the preceding

The heir apparent is Charles Gordon-Lennox (b. 1994), eldest son of the 11th Duke.

Family Tree

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Esmé Stuart, 1st Duke of Lennox – Mary Queen of Scots". www.maryqueenofscots.net. Retrieved 5 August 2024.
  2. ^ "The Duke of Lennox, a preternatural political talent". KU News. Retrieved 5 August 2024.

Further reading

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