GENTLEMAN

(The English word gentle, in its original sense, signifies one belonging to & race or family; Lat. gens.) In Heraldry, a rank expre ed in Latin by the term generosus. All entitled to coat-armour are gentlemen; but the name is more commonly applied to the lowest rank of those who have no other distinguishing title. Gentlemen by blood were those who could show four generations of gentlemen, both in the paternal and maternal line. Those who could not prove this, but against whom the contrary was not known within memory of man, were gentlemen by prescription. Gentlemen were also created by letters patent of the king. OflScers (not menial) of the king's household, persons holding a royal commi ion, civil or military, persons who had taken a degree in the liberal arts, and persons adopted by gentlemen, were considered entitled to this rank, which has now been long obsolete as a distinction. [s. 502]