Earl of Norfolk - Definition and Overview

Earl of Norfolk is a title which has been created several times in the Peerage of England. The title was held in the 12th and 13th centuries by the Bigod family, and then was later held by the Mowbrays, who were also made Dukes of Norfolk. Due to the Bigod's descent in the female line from William Marshal, they inherited the hereditary office of Earl Marshal, still held by the Dukes of Norfolk today. The present title was created in 1644 for Thomas Howard, 18th Earl of Arundel, the heir of the Howard Dukedom of Norfolk which had been forfeit in 1572. Arundel's grandson, the 20th Earl of Arundel and 3rd Earl of Norfolk, was restored to the Dukedom as 5th Duke upon the Restoration in 1660, and the title continues to be borne by the Dukes of Norfolk.

Earls of Norfolk, first Creation (1070)

• Ralph de Gael, 1st Earl of Norfolk (d. 1097) (forfeit 1074)

Earls of Norfolk, second Creation (1141)

• Hugh Bigod, 1st Earl of Norfolk (1095-1177)
• Roger Bigod, 2nd Earl of Norfolk (d. 1221) ¹
• Hugh Bigod, 3rd Earl of Norfolk (d. 1225)
• Roger Bigod, 4th Earl of Norfolk (d. 1270)
• Roger Bigod, 5th Earl of Norfolk (d. 1306)

Earls of Norfolk, third Creation (1312)

• Thomas of Brotherton, 1st Earl of Norfolk (d. 1338)
• Margaret, 2nd Countess of Norfolk (d. 1399)
• Thomas Mowbray, 1st Duke of Norfolk (1365-1399) (dukedom forfeit 1399)
• Thomas Mowbray, 4th Earl of Norfolk (1385-1405)
• John Mowbray, 2nd Duke of Norfolk (1392-1432) (dukedom restored 1425)
• John Mowbray, 3rd Duke of Norfolk (1415-1461)
• John Mowbray, 4th Duke of Norfolk (1444-1476) (dukedom abeyant 1476)
• Anne de Mowbray, 8th Countess of Norfolk (1472 - 1481)

Earls of Norfolk, fourth Creation (1477)

• Richard, Duke of York (1473-1483)

Earls of Norfolk, fifth Creation (1644)

• Thomas Howard, 1st Earl of Norfolk (1585-1646)
• Thomas Howard, 2nd Earl of Norfolk (1608-1652)
• Thomas Howard, 5th Duke of Norfolk (dukedom restored 1660)

For later Earls of Norfolk, see Duke of Norfolk