| Earldom of Caithness | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Creation date | c. 1334 |
| Peerage | Peerage of Scotland |
| First holder | Maol Íosa V, Earl of Strathearn |
| Present holder | Malcolm Sinclair, 20th Earl of Caithness |
| Heir apparent | James Richard Sinclair, Lord Berriedale |
| Remainder to | heirs general of the body of the grantee |
| Subsidiary titles | Lord Berriedale |
| Seat(s) | London |
| Former seat(s) | Castle Sinclair Girnigoe |
Earl of Caithness is a title that has been created several times in the Peerage of Scotland, and it has a very complex history. Its first grant, in the modern sense as to have been counted in strict lists of peerages, is now generally held to have taken place in favor of Maol Íosa V, Earl of Strathearn, in 1334, although in the true circumstances of 14th century, this presumably was just a recognition of his hereditary right to the ancient earldom/mormaership of Caithness. The next year, however, all of his titles were declared forfeit for treason.