Esquire
/ɪˈskwaɪər/noun
A courtesy title used after a man’s name, or historically a young man training to become a knight.
Did you know?The word ultimately comes from a Latin term for a shield, so this polished modern title still carries the ghost of medieval weaponry and rank.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*skeu-
“to cover, wrap, or protect”
Latin
Latin
scutum
“a shield”
Late Latin
Latin
scutarius
“a shield-maker or shield-bearer”
Old French
Old French
escuier
“a shield-bearer; a young noble serving a knight”
Middle English
English
esquier
“a shield-bearer or attendant to a knight”
Modern English
English
esquire
“a courtesy title, especially in formal address”
Explore more surprising origins