The Earl of Caithness is a title that has been created several times in the
Peerage of Scotland, and 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.