The title of Earl of Carnarvon has been created several times in British history. It was first created in 1628 for Robert Dormer, 2nd Baron Dormer . That creation became extinct in 1709. The title was created again in 1714 for Lord Chandos, who became Marquess of Carnarvon and Duke of Chandos in 1719. That title became extinct in 1789. The title was created for a final time in 1793 for Henry Herbert, 1st Baron Porchester , a descendant of the Earls of Pembroke. The most famous holders of this title have been the 4th Earl, a minister under Disraeli, and the 5th Earl, who along with Howard Carter discovered the tomb of Tutankhamun.

The current Earl of Carnarvon holds the subsidiary title of Baron Porchester (1780), in the Peerage of Great Britain. The Earls of Carnarvon of the first creation held the subsidiary titles of Viscount Ascott (1628) and Baron Dormer.

The town and county in Wales from which the title is derived are now usually spelt Caernarfon.

The family seat is Highclere Castle in Berkshire.

Earls of Carnarvon, First Creation (1628)

• Robert Dormer, 1st Earl of Carnarvon (1610-1643)
• Charles Dormer, 2nd Earl of Carnarvon (1632-1709)

Earls of Carnarvon, Second Creation (1714)

• See Duke of Chandos.

Earls of Carnarvon, Third Creation (1793)

• Henry Herbert, 1st Earl of Carnarvon (1741-1811)
• Henry George Herbert, 2nd Earl of Carnarvon (1772-1833)
• Henry John George Herbert, 3rd Earl of Carnarvon (1800-1849)
• Henry Howard Molyneux Herbert, 4th Earl of Carnarvon (1831-1890)
• George Edward Stanhope Molyneux Herbert, 5th Earl of Carnarvon (1866-1923)
• Henry George Alfred Marius Victor Francis Herbert, 6th Earl of Carnarvon (1898-1987)
• Henry George Reginald Molyneux Herbert, 7th Earl of Carnarvon (1924-2001)
• George Reginald Oliver Molyneux Herbert, 8th Earl of Carnarvon (b. 1956)