The founder of this branch of the clan Campbell was Sir John Campbell, third son of the 2nd Earl of Argyll, who married Muriel, daughter of Sir John Calder of Calder, in 1580. Sir John died in 1546, but his widow survived him by almost 30 years. On her death, the Thanedom of Cawdor passed to her grandson, John, who sold part of his estates in order to purchase Islay, which remained in possession of the Cawdor family till 1726, when it was purchased by Campbell of Shawfield.

Sir John, 8th Earl of Cawdor, who married Mary, daughter of Lewis Pryce, died in 1777, and was succeeded by Pryce Campbell, Member of Parliament for Cromarty and Nairn. John, his son, was born in Scotland but spent most of his life in Wales. He was created Lord Cawdor in 1796.

In the following year when 1200 French soldiers landed at Fishguard, the last foreign invasion of Great Britain, Lord Cawdor with few troops and a large number of peasants took them prisoners. He died in 1821, and was succeeded by his son, John Frederick Campbell, 2nd Baron Cawdor, who was created Earl of Cawdor in 1827.

Crest: A swan proper, crowned, or. Badge: Fir club moss, Bog myrtle.

War Cry: Cruachan. Pipe music: Campbell of Cawdor’s salute