On 4 March1642, the Cowper Baronetcy, of Ratling Court (or Ratlingcourt) in the County of Kent was created for William Cowper in the Baronetage of England.
His great-grandson, Sir William Cowper, 3rd Baronet was created Baron Cowper of Wingham, in the County of Kent in the Peerage of England on 14 December1706. Lord Cowper was further created on 18 March1718Earl Cowper and Viscount Fordwich, in the Peerage of Great Britain. All three titles and the baronetcy became extinct upon the death of the seventh Earl in 1905.