The title of Earl of Inverness has been created several times in the (The peers of a kingdom considered as a group) Peerage of the United Kingdom each time as a subsidiary title for a member of the (Royal persons collectively) royal family It was created first in 1801 as a subsidiary title of, Prince Augustus Frederick, Duke of Sussex sixth son of (King of Great Britain and Ireland from 1760 to 1820; the American colonies were lost during his reign; he became insane in 1811 and his son (later George IV) acted as regent until 1820 (1738-1820)) George III becoming extinct in 1843. Sussex's second wife (whom he married in contravention of the Royal Marriages Act of 1772 was given the title Duchess of Inverness which became extinct upon her death in 1873.

The title was created again in 1920 as a subsidiary title of (A man's double-breasted frock coat) Prince Albert second son of (King of Great Britain and Ireland and emperor of India from 1910 to 1936; gave up his German title in 1917 during World War I (1865-1936)) George V who was also created  Duke of York at the same time. The title merged in the crown when York succeeded his brother in 1936 to become King George VI.

The title was created a final time in 1986 as a subsidiary title for Queen (Daughter of George VI who became the Queen of England and Northern Ireland in 1952 on the death of her father (1926-)) Elizabeth II's second son Prince Andrew, Duke of York