The title Earl of Rothes was created in 1457 in the Peerage of Scotland for George Leslie. In 1663, John Leslie, the seventh Earl, received a re-grant of the Earldom. The grant permitted both males and females to inherit the title, provided that the husband of a female holder of the title assume the surname of Leslie. Thus, despite the fact that many women have held the title, the surname of the holder has never changed.

The seventh Earl was later created Duke of Rothes, but that title became extinct at his death because he left no sons. The Earldom, however, passed to his daughter under the aforementioned re-grant.

The Earldom is associated with one subsidiary title, the title Lord Leslie and Ballenbreich, created at the same time as the Earldom and subject to the same rules of descent. This title is used as a courtesy title for the eldest son and heir of the Earl or Countess for the time being.

Earls of Rothes (1457)

• George Leslie, 1st Earl of Rothes (c. 1417-1490)
• George Leslie, 2nd Earl of Rothes (d. 1513)
• William Leslie, 3rd Earl of Rothes (d. 1513)
• George Leslie, 4th Earl of Rothes (d. 1558)
• Andrew Leslie, 5th Earl of Rothes (d. 1611)
• John Leslie, 6th Earl of Rothes (d. 1641)
• John Leslie, 1st Duke of Rothes (c. 1630-1681)
• Margaret Leslie, 8th Countess of Rothes (d. 1700)
• John Hamilton-Leslie, 9th Earl of Rothes (d. 1722)
• John Leslie, 10th Earl of Rothes (d. 1767)
• John Leslie, 11th Earl of Rothes (1744-1773)
• Jane Elizabeth Leslie, 12th Countess of Rothes (1750-1810)
• George William Leslie, 13th Earl of Rothes (1768-1817)
• Henrietta Anne Leslie, 14th Countess of Rothes (1790-1819)
• George William Leslie, 15th Earl of Rothes (1809-1841)
• George William Leslie, 16th Earl of Rothes (1835-1859)
• Henrietta Anderson Morshead Leslie, 17th Countess of Rothes (1832-1886)
• Mary Elizabeth Gwyther-Leslie, 18th Countess of Rothes (1811-1893)
• Norman Evelyn Leslie, 19th Earl of Rothes (1877-1927)
• Malcolm George Dyer-Edwardes Leslie, 20th Earl of Rothes (1902-1974)
• Ian Lionel Malcolm Leslie, 21st Earl of Rothes (b. 1932)