Earl Scots or , Cornish . An earl has the title "Earl of [X]" when the title originates from a placename, or "Earl [X]" when the title comes from a surname. In either case, he is referred to as "Lord [X]", and his wife as "Lady [X]". A countess who holds an earldom in her own right also uses "Lady [X]", but her husband does not have a title (unless he has one in his own right). The eldest son of an earl, though not himself a peer, is entitled to use a courtesy title, usually the highest of his father's
The Earl of Aboyne (song) The Earl of Aboyne (song) The Earl of Aboyne, also known as "Peggy Irvine", is a folk song about an Earl of Aboyne who commits adultery – much to the dismay of his wife, the titular Peggy Irvine. The song is not based on any historic events, and consists of rather "confusing" events. "[T]hough the first Earl of Aboyne was married to an Irvine," says American folklorist Kenneth S. Goldstein, "this ballad is not based on an actual occurrence." The song has a Roud index number of 99. Additionally, it is Child ballad No. 235. The Earl of Aboyne visits