The Earldom of Darnley has been created in both the Peerage of Scotland and the Peerage of Ireland. In the Peerage of Scotland, the Earldom has been twice created, each time along with the Dukedom of Lennox. (See that page for more information on the Scottish creations.)

In Ireland, the title was created in 1725 for John Bligh. The Earl's other titles are: Viscount Darnley of Athboy (created 1723; Peerage of Ireland), Baron Clifton of Leighton Bromswold (created 1608; Peerage of England) and Baron Clifton of Rathmore (created 1721; Peerage of Ireland). The last one is - as Lord instead of Baron - the courtesy title of the earl's eldest son.

Earls of Darnley (1725)

• John Bligh, 1st Earl of Darnley (1687-1728)
• Edward Bligh, 2nd Earl of Darnley (1715-1747)
• John Bligh, 3rd Earl of Darnley (1719-1781)
• John Bligh, 4th Earl of Darnley (1767-1831)
• Edward Bligh, 5th Earl of Darnley (1795-1835)
• John Stuart Bligh, 6th Earl of Darnley (1827-1896)
• Edward Henry Stuart Bligh, 7th Earl of Darnley (1851-1900)
• Ivo Francis Walter Bligh, 8th Earl of Darnley (1859-1927), elected a Representative Peer in 1905
• Esme Ivo Bligh, 9th Earl of Darnley (1886-1955)
• Peter Stuart Bligh, 10th Earl of Darnley (1915-1980)
• Adam Ivo Stuart Bligh, 11th Earl of Darnley (b. 1941)

Heir Apparent: his son Ivo Donald Bligh, Lord Clifton of Rathmore (b. 1968