The title Earl of Rothes was created in 1457 in the Peerage of Scotland for George Leslie. In 1663, John Leslie, the seventh Earl, received a re-grant of the Earldom. The grant permitted both males and females to inherit the title, provided that the husband of a female holder of the title assume the surname of Leslie. Thus, despite the fact that many women have held the title, the surname of the holder has never changed.
The seventh Earl was later created Duke of Rothes, but that title became extinct at his death because he left no sons. The Earldom, however, passed to his daughter under the aforementioned re-grant.
The Earldom is associated with one subsidiary title, the title Lord Leslie and Ballenbreich, created at the same time as the Earldom and subject to the same rules of descent. This title is used as a courtesy title for the eldest son and heir of the Earl or Countess for the time being.
of Rothes was George Leslie, son of Norman Leslie of Rothes in Moray, and of Ballinbreich in Fife.
in 1651, he received a re-grant in 1663 of the earldom of Rothes, together with the title of Lord Leslie and Ballinbreich, with remainders to his heirs male and female, providing that in every case where a female should succeed to the peerage the name of Leslie should be assumed by her husband.
In 168o the earl was advanced to the dignity of duke of Rothes and marquess of Ballinbreich, but these titles became extinct at his death without a son in the following year.
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