Esquire

originally, a shield-bearer or armor-bearer, an attendant on a knight; hence, in modern times a title of dignity next in degree below a knight. In England this title is given properly to the younger sons of noblemen, to officers of the king’s courts and of the household, to counsellors at law, justices of the peace while in commi ion, sheriffs, gentlemen who have held commi ions in the army and navy, ete. It is usually given to all profe ional and literary men, and nowadays, both there and in the United States in the addre es of letters esquire may be put as a complimentary adjunct to almost any person’s name. In heraldry the helmet of an esquire is represented sideways with the visor closed.