The title
Duke of Abercorn was created in
1868 and bestowed upon James Hamilton, 2nd Marquess of Abercorn.
In acknowledgement of his loyalty, James VI of Scotland (James I of England), conferred on Lord Claud Hamilton, younger son of the Earl of Arran[?], the Barony of Paisley. His son James Hamilton was created Baron Abercorn in 1603, and in then 1606 he was made Earl of Abercorn and Lord of Mountcastle, Paisley, Hamilton and Kilpatrick.
The 8th earl was created Viscount Hamilton of Leicestershire in 1786. He was succeeded by his nephew who was created Marquess of Abercorn in 1790.
- James Hamilton, 1st Earl of Abercorn (1575-1618)
- James Hamilton, 2nd Earl of Abercorn[?] (?-c.1670)
- George Hamilton 3rd Earl of Abercorn[?] (?-1680)
- Claud Hamilton, 4th Earl of Abercorn[?] (?-1690)
- Charles Hamilton, 5th Earl of Abercorn[?] (?-1701)
- James Hamilton, 6th Earl of Abercorn[?] (1701-1734)
- James Hamilton, 7th Earl of Abercorn[?] (1685-1744)
- James Hamilton, 8th Earl of Abercorn[?] Viscount Hamilton of Leicestershire,(1712-1789)
- John James Hamilton, 1st Marquess of Abercorn[?], 9th Earl of Abercorn (1756-1818)
- James Hamilton, 1st Duke of Abercorn[?], 2nd Marquess of Abercorn (1811-1885)
- James Hamilton, 2nd Duke of Abercorn[?] (1838-1913)
- James Albert Edward Hamilton, 3rd Duke of Abercorn[?] 1869-1953)
- James Edward Hamilton 4th Duke of Abercorn[?] 1904-1979)
- James Hamilton, 5th Duke of Abercorn[?] (1934-)