It was created on 29 August 1642, along with the title Lord Crichton, for James Crichton, son of James Crichton of Frendraught, who thereafter became known as Crichton of Kinnairdie. The Crichtons of Frendraught were heirs-male of William Crichton, 1st Lord Crichton, who was Lord Chancellor under James II and whose title had been forfeit in 1484.
James Crichton, 2nd Viscount of Frendraught (1643 - 1676)
Eldest son of 1st Viscount
William Crichton, 3rd Viscount of Frendraught (1670 - 1686)
Eldest son of the 2nd Viscount
Lewis Crichton, 4th Viscount of Frendraught (c. 1650 - 1698)
A younger son of the 1st Viscount
Attainder
Lewis Crichton, 4th Viscount Frendraught - a Jacobite - served with John Graham, 1st Viscount Dundee in the 1689 rising and, as punishment, the title was attainted (i.e. the peerage became forfeit) on 14 July 1690. It was unsuccessfully claimed in 1827 by David Maitland Makgill (later Maitland Makgill Crichton) of Rankeillour, a descendant of the first Viscount's eldest daughter Janet.
^Temple, William (1894). The Thanage of Fermartyn, including the district commonly called Formartine, its proprietors, with genealogical deductions; its parishes, ministers, Churches, churchyards, antiquities, &c. Aberdeen: Wyllie. p. 152.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
