Esquire

A title applied by courtesy to officers of almost every description, to members of the bar, and others. No one is entitled to it by law; and therefore it confers no distinction in law. In England, it is a title next above that of a gentleman and below that of a knight. Camden reckons up four kinds of esquires particularly regarded by the heralds: the eldest sons of knights, and their eldest sons in perpetual succession; the eldest sons of the younger sons of peers, and their eldest sons in like perpetual succession; esquires created by the king's letters patent, or other investiture, and their eldest sons; esquires by virtue of their office, as justices of the peace, and others who bear any