Baron Carnock

Baron Carnock, of Carnock in the County of Stirling, is a title in the Peerage of the United Kingdom. It was created in 1916 for the former Permanent Under-Secretary in the Foreign Office, Sir Arthur Nicolson, 11th Baronet.

The Nicolson family descends from Thomas Nicolson. In 1636 he was created a Baronet, of Carnock in the County of Stirling, in the Baronetage of Nova Scotia. His great-grandson, the fourth Baronet, succeeded as 4th Lord Napier of Merchistoun in 1683. However, on his death three years later the lordship passed to his maternal aunt Margaret Brisbane, while he was succeeded in the baronetcy by his cousin and heir-male, the fifth Baronet. He was succeeded by his son, the sixth Baronet. On the death of his younger son, the eighth Baronet, this line of the family failed. The latter was succeeded by his cousin, the ninth Baronet. He was a Major-General in the Army, while his son, the tenth Baronet, was an Admiral in the Royal Navy.

The latter was succeeded by his son, the eleventh Baronet. In 1916 he was raised to the peerage as Baron Carnock, of Carnock in the County of Stirling. His two eldest sons succeeded as second and third Baron, in 1928 and 1952; the fourth Baron succeeded his father in 1982. In 1984 Lord Carnock was recognised as thirteenth Baronet of that Ilk and of Lasswade and as Chief of Clan Nicolson by the Lord Lyon with the undifferenced arms of Nicolson. He was separately recognised in this title by the Registrar of the Baronetage. For earlier history of this title, see Nicolson Baronets.

The famous diplomat Sir Harold Nicolson, husband of Vita Sackville-West, was the third son of the first Baron Carnock. His son Nigel Nicolson was the father of the current Baron Carnock, Adam Nicolson.