| Earl of Eldon | |
|---|---|
  Arms: Argent, three Lion’s Heads erased Gules, in chief an Anchor erect Sable, on a Chief wavy Azure, a Portcullis with chains Or. Crest: A Lion’s Head erased Gules, gorged with a Chain and pendant therefrom a Portcullis Or.Supporters: On either side a Lion guardant proper, gorged with a Double Chain and pendant therefrom a Portcullis with chains Or. | |
| Creation date | 7 July 1821 |
| Created by | King George IV |
| Peerage | Peerage of the United Kingdom |
| First holder | John Scott, 1st Earl of Eldon |
| Present holder | John Scott, 6th Earl of Eldon |
| Heir apparent | John Scott, Viscount Encombe |
| Subsidiary titles | Viscount Encombe Baron Eldon |
| Status | Extant |
| Motto | Sit sine labe decus (English: Let honour be without stain) |
Earl of Eldon, in the County Palatine of Durham, is a title in the Peerage of the United Kingdom. It was created in 1821 for the lawyer and politician John Scott, 1st Baron Eldon, Lord Chancellor from 1801 to 1806 and again from 1807 to 1827. He had already been created Baron Eldon, of Eldon in the County Palatine of Durham, in the Peerage of Great Britain in 1799,[1] and was made Viscount Encombe, of Encombe in the County of Dorset, at the same time was given the earldom.[2] His grandson, the second Earl, briefly represented Truro in the House of Commons.
As of 2017[update] the titles are held by the latter's great-great-great-grandson, the sixth Earl, who succeeded his father in 2017.
William Scott, 1st Baron Stowell, was the elder brother of the first Earl of Eldon. The Hon. Sir Ernest Scott, second son of the third Earl, was Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to Hungary.
The family seat was, until the 20th century, Encombe Park, near Kingston in Dorset.
- ^ "No. 15160". The London Gazette. 20 July 1799. p. 717.
- ^ "No. 17722". The London Gazette. 7 July 1821. p. 1410.