The title of Earl of Douglas was created in the Peerage of Scotland in 1358 for the senior, or "Black" line of the great Douglas family. The Black Douglases fell from power and were attainted by King James II in 1455.

The seventh Earl was created Earl of Avondale and Lord Balveny in 1437, also in the Peerage of Scotland. These titles became also forfeit in 1455.

Earls of Douglas (1358)

• William Douglas, 1st Earl of Douglas (1327-1384)
• James Douglas, 2nd Earl of Douglas (1358-1388), son of the previous
• Archibald Douglas, 3rd Earl of Douglas (1325-1400) "the Grim", cousin of the 1st earl
• Archibald Douglas, 4th Earl of Douglas (1370-1424) "Tyneman", son of "the Grim"
• Archibald Douglas, 5th Earl of Douglas (1390-1439), son of the "Tyneman"
• William Douglas, 6th Earl of Douglas (1425-1440) , son of the previous
• James Douglas, 7th Earl of Douglas (d.1444) "the Gross", brother of the "Tyneman", created Earl of Avondale in 1437
• William Douglas, 8th Earl of Douglas and 2nd Earl of Avondale (1425-1452), son of "the Gross"
• James Douglas, 9th Earl of Douglas and 3rd Earl of Avondale (d.1488), "Black Douglas", bother of the previous, attainted 1455 and all his titles forfeit

See also

• Earl of Angus, for the "Red" Douglas line, which later became Marquesses and Dukes of Douglas.
• Earl of Morton, for another Douglas line.
• Earl of Queensberry, for another Douglas line, which later became Marquesses of Queensberry and also the first few Dukes of Queensberry.