The Duke holds several subsidiary titles, including: Marquess of Kintyre and Lorne (1701), Earl of Argyll (1457), Earl Campbell and Cowall (1701), Earl of Ilay (1706), Viscount Lochow and Glenyla (1701), Viscount Ilay (1706), Lord Campbell (1445), Lord Lorne (1470), Lord Kintyre (1626), Lord Inverary, Mull, Mover and Tiry (1701), Lord Arase (1706), Lord Dunoon (1706), Baron Sundridge (1766) and Baron Hamilton of Hameldon (1776). The courtesy title for the Duke's eldest son and heir is Marquess of Kintyre and Lorne.
The Duke of Argyll is also the chief of the Scottish clan of Campbell and in this capacity is known as "MacCailean Mor", which is Gaelic, for "Son of Colin the Great" referring to Cailein Mor of Lochawe (Colin of Lochow) who was killed in fighting with the Lord of Lornin 1294.
Sir Colin of Lochow, was knighted in 1280 and his descendant Sir Duncan was created a peer by James II of Scotland in 1445 becoming Duncan Campbell of Lochow, Lord of Argyll, Knight, 1st Lord Campbell. Colin Campbell (c.1433-1493) succeeded his grandfather as the 2nd Lord Campbell in 1453 and was created Earl of Argyll in 1457.
The 8th Earl of Argyll was created a marquess in 1641, when Charles I visited Scotland and attempting to quell rising the political crisis. With Oliver Cromwell's victory in England, the marquess became the effective ruler of Scotland. Upon the restoration, the marquess offered his services to King Charles II but was charged with treason and executed in 1661. His lands and titles were forfeited but were resorted to his son in 1663, Archibald, who became the 9th Earl of Argyll. In 1685 the 9th Earl was executed for his part in the Monmouth rebellion.
On the June 21, 1701 the 9th Earl's son was created Duke of Argyll, Marquess of Kintyre and Lorne, Earl of Campbell and Cowal, Viscount of Lochow and Glenyla, Baron Inverary, Mull, Morvern, and Tiree for his services to William of Orange. His son, the 2nd Duke, was created Baron of Chatham and Earl of Greenwich in 1705 as a reward for his support for the Act of Union and further elevated to the Duke of Greenwich in 1719. Upon his death his Scottish titles passed to his brother and the English titles became extinct.
The 5th Duke sat as a member of parliament for Glasgow until his father's accession to the Dukedom in 1761 disqualified him from representing a Scottish seat. He then became the member for Dover until 1766, when he was created as Baron Sundridge and obtained the right to sit in the House of Lords.
In April 17, 1892, the 8th Duke was created Duke of Argyll in the Peerage of the United Kingdom.
Earls of Argyll (1457)
Marquesses of Argyll (1641)
Earls of Argyll (1457, restored)
Dukes of Argyll (Scotland) 1701
Dukes of Argyll (Scotland and the United Kingdom) (1892)
Hereditary offices