The Backstory Behind Esq. (Esquire) Is It A Title Of Nobility ?

The Backstory Behind Esq. (Esquire) Is It A Title Of Nobility?

Esq. (Esquire)

History Behind Esq.

"Esq." derives from the Old French "escuyer" (shield-bearer), from Latin "scutarius," referring to a knight's attendant in medieval times. By the 15th century in England, it became a title for gentlemen of higher rank, below knights but above commoners. It entered legal use in the 18th-19th centuries as a courtesy for attorneys, imported to the US where it signified licensed lawyers by the early 1800s.

Why Do Attorneys Use Esq.?

Attorneys use "Esq." as a professional courtesy title to indicate they have a Bar Card ID with a number and a certificate of ethics/good standard and admission to practice law, adding formality in correspondence, signatures, and court documents. It distinguishes them from non-lawyers and maintains tradition.

Is It Mandatory for an Attorney to Use Esq. Behind Their Name?

No, it is not mandatory; "Esq." is an honorary, unregulated title based on personal or professional preference. Some states discourage non-lawyers from using it to avoid misleading the public, but licensed attorneys can choose not to use it.

Purpose Behind Esq.

The purpose is to denote professional qualification and respect within the legal field, signaling that the individual has passed the bar exam and is authorized to practice law. It fosters formality in legal communications.

Does Esq. History Go Back to the Roman Empire, English, British, Knights, Royalty?

Yes, indirectly: Roots trace to Latin "scutarius" (shield-bearer) in Roman times, but the title formalized in medieval English/British socie

ty as an attendant to knights (aspiring to knighthood) or gentry below royalty. It was a rank in feudal hierarchy, linked to nobility but not royalty itself.

Esq. Against the Constitution?

No, "Esq." is not against the US Constitution. It is not a title of nobility (prohibited by Article I, Section 9, Clause 8), but a courtesy title without hereditary or official power. Conspiracy claims linking it to foreign nobility or a "missing 13th Amendment" (which never existed in that form) are debunked myths from sovereign citizen movements.

Other Information You Did Not Ask About Black Robe Ceremonies and Esq.

Globally, judicial attire varies: Some countries use red or colorful robes for higher courts, while others (like India) incorporate sashes or wigs from British influence. In the US, about 90% of state judges wear black robes, but some add gold trim for seniority. For Esq., women attorneys increasingly use it (e.g., "Jane Doe, Esq."), reflecting gender neutrality, though historically male-oriented. In the UK, "Esquire" is rarely used for lawyers today, favoring "Solicitor" or "Barrister." US bar associations sometimes debate phasing out "Esq." for modernity, but tradition persists.