Earls of Desmond, First Creation (1329)
There are several numbering schemes for these earls, depending in part on whether one includes Nicholas as the 3rd Earl. Nicholas suffered from mental developmental disabilities, being described in contemporary records as "an idiot." Nicholas died without issue, and was largely passed over for practical purposes by his younger brother, Gerald FitzGerald, 3rd Earl of Desmond. Here, Nicholas is not numbered among the earls, leading much of this list to differ from the traditional numbering scheme.
Also affecting the various numbering schemes is how one deals with the dispute over the succession to Thomas FitzGerald, 11th Earl of Desmond. Here, the de facto and de jure 12th earl are counted as together comprising the twelfth and the thirteenth in the series, allowing for the traditional numbering to be retained for the 14th and 15th earls.
- Maurice FitzGerald, 1st Earl of Desmond (d. 1356) (new creation)
- Maurice FitzGerald, 2nd Earl of Desmond (1336–1358) (son of preceding)
- Gerald FitzGerald, 3rd Earl of Desmond (d. 1398) (half-brother of preceding)
- John FitzGerald, 4th Earl of Desmond (d. 1399) (son of preceding)
- Thomas FitzGerald, 5th Earl of Desmond (c. 1386–1420) (son of preceding)
- James FitzGerald, 6th Earl of Desmond (d. 1463) (the "Usurper," paternal uncle of preceding)
- Thomas FitzGerald, 7th Earl of Desmond (d. 1468) (son of preceding)
- James FitzGerald, 8th Earl of Desmond (1459–1487) (son of preceding)
- Maurice FitzGerald, 9th Earl of Desmond (d. 1520) (brother of preceding)
- James FitzGerald, 10th Earl of Desmond (d. 1529) (son of preceding)
- Thomas FitzGerald, 11th Earl of Desmond (1454–1534) (paternal uncle of preceding)
- John FitzGerald, de facto 12th Earl of Desmond (d. 1536) (brother of preceding, paternal granduncle of James FitzGerald, de jure 12th Earl of Desmond)
- James FitzGerald, de jure 12th Earl of Desmond (d. 1540) (grandson of Thomas FitzGerald, 11th Earl of Desmond, grandnephew of John FitzGerald, de facto 12th Earl of Desmond)
- James FitzGerald, 14th Earl of Desmond (d. 1558) (son of John FitzGerald, de facto 12th Earl of Desmond)
- Gerald FitzGerald, 15th Earl of Desmond (c. 1533–1583) (son of preceding; forfeit 1582)
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