Since before the time of King Robert the Bruce in 1306, the Chiefs of Clan Campbell have played leading roles in the governments of Scotland, Great Britain, the United Kingdom, the British Empire, and The Commonwealth of Nations. When Colin Campbell of Lochawe was made first Earl of Argyll in 1457 and then Chancellor of Scotland, until the Union of the Kingdoms of Scotland and England in 1707, the Argyll family and followers always had to be taken into account where Scottish affairs were concerned.

In the mid 16th century, the time of Elizabeth of England and Mary Queen of Scots, the fifth Earl of Argyll could bring a larger army to the field than that of either queen and he was the only noble in the British Isles to have his own artillery. In the mid 17th century the 8th Earl and Marquis of Argyll ruled Scotland for a time.

From 1701 and for the next two hundred years, the Dukes of Argyll were frequently involved in the government of Great Britain. In the first part of the eighteenth century the second Duke both commanded British armies and served in the Cabinet, while the third Duke, his heir, administered Scotland. The 8th Duke was a Cabinet Minister in the British government. In the second half of the nineteenth century Lord Lorne, heir to the 8th Duke, married Queen Victoria's daughter and was Governor General of Canada. Two Dukes have been Field Marshals and one a 4-star General.

Today most of the aristocratic families of Britain, including the Duke of Argyll, prefer to serve their country in commercial, cultural and charitable roles and in preserving the extraordinary heritage of their architectural and archival treasures through free enterprise for the public good.

Knights of Menstrie

• Sir Gillespic Campbell, 1st of Menstrie (c. 1201 - 1280)
• Sir Colin Campbell, 2nd of Menstrie (d. circa 1294) (created Lord of Lochow 1280) (eldest son of the 1st Menstrie)

Lords Campbell (1445)

• Duncan Campbell, 1st Lord Campbell (d. 1453) (eldest son of the 5th Lochow)
  • Archibald Campbell, Master of Campbell (d. c. 1431–1440) (eldest son of the 1st Lord Campbell, died before his father was created a Lord of Parliament)
• Colin Campbell, 2nd Lord Campbell (c. 1433–1493) (created Earl of Argyll in 1457) (grandson 1st Lord Campbell)

Marquesses of Argyll (1641)

• Archibald Campbell, 1st Marquess of Argyll (1607–1661) (eldest son of the 7th Earl, was tried for high treason, attainted, all his honours forfeit, and beheaded in 1661)

Dukes of Argyll (1701)

• Archibald Campbell, 1st Duke of Argyll (1658–1703) (eldest son of the 9th Earl, was restored to his father's honors in 1685)
• John Campbell, 2nd Duke of Argyll, 1st Duke of Greenwich (1680–1743) (eldest son of the 1st Duke, died without male issue)
• Archibald Campbell, 3rd Duke of Argyll (1682–1761) (second and youngest son of the 1st Duke, died without legitimate issue)
• John Campbell, 4th Duke of Argyll (1693–1770) (eldest son of Hon. John Campbell, third son of the 9th Earl and younger brother of the 1st Duke)
• John Campbell, 5th Duke of Argyll (1723–1806) (eldest son of the 4th Duke)
  • George John Campbell, Earl of Campbell (1763–1764) (eldest son of the 5th Duke, died in infancy)
• George William Campbell, 6th Duke of Argyll (1768–1839) (second son of the 5th Duke, died without issue)
• John Douglas Edward Henry Campbell, 7th Duke of Argyll (1777–1847) (third and youngest son of the 5th Duke)
  • John Henry Glassel Campbell (1821–1837) (eldest son of the 7th Duke, died young)
• George John Douglas Campbell, 8th Duke of Argyll (S), 1st Duke of Argyll (UK) (1823–1900) (second and youngest son of the 7th Duke, created Duke of Argyll in the Peerage of the United Kingdom in 1892)
• John George Edward Henry Douglas Sutherland Campbell, 9th Duke of Argyll (S) and 2nd Duke of Argyll (UK) (1845–1914) (eldest son of the 8th Duke, married The Princess Louise, daughter of Queen Victoria. Died without issue)
• Niall Diarmid Campbell, 10th Duke of Argyll (S) and 3rd Duke of Argyll (UK) (1872–1949) (eldest and only son of Lord Archibald Campbell, second son of the 8th Duke, died unmarried and without issue)
• Ian Douglas Campbell, 11th Duke of Argyll (S) and 4th Duke of Argyll (UK) (1903–1973) (grandson of Lord Walter Campbell, third son of the 8th Duke)
• Ian Campbell, 12th Duke of Argyll (S) and 5th Duke of Argyll (UK) (1937–2001) (eldest son of the 11th Duke)
• Torquhil Ian Campbell, 13th Duke of Argyll (S) and 6th Duke of Argyll (UK) (b. 1968) (eldest and only son of the 12th Duke)
  • Archie Frederick Campbell, Marquess of Lorne, The heir apparent is the present holder's eldest son. (b. 2004).