The title was created in 1505 by King Louis XII of France for his first cousin once removed, François d'Orléans, Count of Dunois, son of François d'Orléans, Count of Dunois, son of Jean d'Orléans, himself an illegitimate son of the Duke of Orléans.
From 1648, the Duke of Longueville was also Sovereign Prince of Neuchâtel, a Swiss territory.