Earl of Effingham, in the County of Surrey, is a title in the Peerage of the Unite Kingdom. It was created in 1837 for Kenneth Alexander Howard, 11th Baron Howard of Effingham. This branch of the Howard family descends from the noted naval commander and politician Lord William Howard, eldest son of Thomas Howard, 2nd Duke of Norfolk, from his second marriage to Agnes Tylney. He served as Lord High Admiral, as Lord Chamberlain of the Household and as Lord Privy Seal. In 1554 he was created Baron Howard of Effingham in the Peerage of England as a reward for leading the defence of London against Wyatt's rebellion. He was succeeded by his eldest son, the second Baron. He was Lord High Admiral from 1585 to 1618 and served as commander-in-chief of the English fleet against the Spanish Armada in 1588. In 1596 he was created Earl of Nottingham in the Peerage of England. In 1603 his eldest son and heir apparent William Howard, Lord Howard of Effingham (1577-1615), was summoned to the House of Lords through a writ of acceleration in his father's junior title of Baron Howard of Effingham. He predeceased his father but is not considered to have succeeded as third Baron Howard of Effingham.