Count vs. Viscount — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Maham Liaqat — Updated on March 7, 2024
A count is a noble title in European countries, signifying a rank in the aristocracy, while a viscount is a rank below a count, often serving as a deputy or vice-count in feudal times.
Difference Between Count and Viscount
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A count is a title of nobility in various European countries, derived from the Latin "comes," meaning companion or delegate of the emperor. Counts typically had significant political, judicial, and military responsibilities within their territories. On the other hand, a viscount holds a title that originated to denote the deputy or vice-representative of a count, suggesting a lower rank within the feudal system, with duties that supported or replaced those of a count in their absence.
The title of count is historically associated with the governance of a county or province, granting them considerable power over the lands, including rights to collect taxes, administer justice, and maintain a military force. Viscounts, while also influential, often managed smaller territories or were assigned specific administrative or judicial duties under the oversight of a count, reflecting their role as intermediates between counts and the lower nobility or commoners.
In the hierarchical structure of European nobility, counts were directly vassal to sovereign rulers, such as kings or emperors, highlighting their high rank and significant autonomy in feudal society. Viscounts, while still noble, occupied a position that was seen as subordinate to counts, emphasizing their intermediary status and the nuanced gradations of authority within the nobility.
The prestige and influence associated with the title of count varied widely across different countries and historical periods, often reflecting the holder's wealth, ancestral lineage, and political connections. Viscounts, by contrast, while respected members of the nobility, generally had less social clout and fewer privileges than counts, underscoring the varied levels of status among noble ranks.
While both counts and viscounts played crucial roles in the administration of territories and the feudal justice system, their responsibilities and the extent of their power could significantly differ, shaped by the local legal and social systems. This distinction underscores the complexity and variability of noble titles across different European cultures and eras.
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Comparison Chart
Origin of Title
From Latin "comes," meaning companion to the emperor.
Means "vice-count," indicating a deputy to a count.
Rank
Higher rank in the nobility, above viscount.
Lower than a count, but still a noble title.
Responsibilities
Governed counties, had judicial and military authority.
Often served as deputies with specific duties.
Autonomy
High autonomy, direct vassals to kings or emperors.
Lesser autonomy, intermediate rank within the nobility.
Territory
Managed larger territories or counties.
Managed smaller territories or specific administrative roles.
Social Status
High prestige and influence, varied by region.
Respected but with less clout than counts.
Historical Role
Integral to political and economic systems.
Served as intermediaries, supporting counts' duties.
Compare with Definitions
Count
Represents a high rank in the aristocracy.
The count's lineage traced back to the founding of the kingdom.
Viscount
A noble title below a count.
The Viscount of Downton Abbey played a key role in the local community.
Count
A nobleman in charge of a territory.
The Count of Monte Cristo was famous for his escape and revenge.
Viscount
Served as a deputy to a count.
The viscount managed the county in the count's absence.
Count
Holds a title of European nobility.
The count hosted lavish parties in his castle.
Viscount
A respected member of the nobility with certain privileges.
The viscount held a significant estate granted by the crown.
Count
Direct vassal of a sovereign ruler.
As a count, he swore fealty directly to the king.
Viscount
Intermediate rank within the nobility.
As a viscount, he attended the royal court but had lesser influence than counts.
Count
Had judicial and military responsibilities.
The count was responsible for maintaining peace in his domain.
Viscount
Managed smaller territories or specific duties.
The viscount was in charge of the judiciary in the region.
Count
Count (feminine: countess) is a historical title of nobility in certain European countries, varying in relative status, generally of middling rank in the hierarchy of nobility. The etymologically related English term "county" denoted the land owned by a count.
Viscount
A viscount ( (listen) VY-kownt, for male) or viscountess (, for female) is a title used in certain European countries for a noble of varying status. In many countries a viscount, and its historical equivalents, was a non-hereditary, administrative or judicial position, and did not develop into an hereditary title until much later.
Count
To name or list (the units of a group or collection) one by one in order to determine a total; number.
Viscount
A nobleman ranking below an earl or count and above a baron.
Count
To recite numerals in ascending order up to and including
Count three before firing.
Viscount
Used as a title for such a nobleman.
Count
To include in a reckoning; take account of
Ten dogs, counting the puppies.
Viscount
A member of the peerage, above a baron but below a count or earl.
Count
To include by or as if by counting
Count me in.
Viscount
(entomology) Any of various nymphalid butterflies of the genus Tanaecia. Other butterflies in this genus are called earls and counts.
Count
To exclude by or as if by counting
Count me out.
Viscount
An officer who formerly supplied the place of the count, or earl; the sheriff of the county.
Count
To believe or consider to be; deem
Count yourself lucky.
Viscount
(in various countries) a son or younger brother or a count
Count
To recite or list numbers in order or enumerate items by units or groups
Counted by tens.
Viscount
A British peer who ranks below an earl and above a baron
Count
To have importance
You really count with me.
Count
To have a specified importance or value
Their opinions count for little. Each basket counts for two points.
Count
(Music) To keep time by counting beats.
Count
The act of counting or calculating.
Count
A number reached by counting.
Count
(Law) Any of the separate and distinct charges or causes of action in an indictment or complaint.
Count
(Sports) The counting from one to ten seconds, during which time a boxer who has been knocked down must rise or be declared the loser.
Count
(Baseball) The number of balls and strikes that an umpire has called against a batter.
Count
A nobleman in some European countries.
Count
Used as a title for such a nobleman.
Count
(intransitive) To recite numbers in sequence.
Count
(transitive) To determine the number of (objects in a group).
Count the number of apples in the bag and write down the number on the spreadsheet.
Count
(intransitive) To amount to, to number in total.
Count
(intransitive) To be of significance; to matter.
Your views don’t count here.
It does count if you cheat with someone when you’re drunk.
Count
(intransitive) To be an example of something: often followed by as and an indefinite noun.
Apples count as a type of fruit.
Count
(transitive) To consider something as an example of something or as having some quality; to account, to regard as.
He counts himself a hero after saving the cat from the river.
I count you as more than a friend.
Count
(transitive) To reckon in, to include in consideration.
They walked for three days, not counting the time spent resting.
Count
To take account or note (of), to care (for).
Count
To recount, to tell.
Count
To plead orally; to argue a matter in court; to recite a count.
Count
The act of counting or tallying a quantity.
Give the chairs a quick count to check if we have enough.
Count
The result of a tally that reveals the number of items in a set; a quantity counted.
Count
A countdown.
Count
(legal) A charge of misconduct brought in a legal proceeding.
Count
(baseball) The number of balls and strikes, respectively, on a batter's in-progress plate appearance.
He has a 3–2 count with the bases loaded.
Count
(obsolete) An object of interest or account; value; estimation.
Count
The male ruler of a county.
Count
A nobleman holding a rank intermediate between dukes and barons.
Count
(entomology) Any of various nymphalid butterflies of the genus Tanaecia. Other butterflies in this genus are called earls and viscounts.
Count
Countable.
Count
To tell or name one by one, or by groups, for the purpose of ascertaining the whole number of units in a collection; to number; to enumerate; to compute; to reckon.
Who can count the dust of Jacob?
In a journey of forty miles, Avaux counted only three miserable cabins.
Count
To place to an account; to ascribe or impute; to consider or esteem as belonging.
Abracham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.
Count
To esteem; to account; to reckon; to think, judge, or consider.
I count myself in nothing else so happyAs in a soul remembering my good friends.
Count
To number or be counted; to possess value or carry weight; hence, to increase or add to the strength or influence of some party or interest; as, every vote counts; accidents count for nothing.
This excellent man . . . counted among the best and wisest of English statesmen.
Count
To reckon; to rely; to depend; - with on or upon.
He was brewer to the palace; and it was apprehended that the government counted on his voice.
I think it a great error to count upon the genius of a nation as a standing argument in all ages.
Count
To take account or note; - with
Count
To plead orally; to argue a matter in court; to recite a count.
Count
The act of numbering; reckoning; also, the number ascertained by counting.
Of blessed saints for to increase the count.
By this count, I shall be much in years.
Count
An object of interest or account; value; estimation.
Count
A formal statement of the plaintiff's case in court; in a more technical and correct sense, a particular allegation or charge in a declaration or indictment, separately setting forth the cause of action or prosecution.
Count
A nobleman on the continent of Europe, equal in rank to an English earl.
Count
The act of counting;
The counting continued for several hours
Count
A nobleman (in various countries) having rank equal to a British earl
Count
Determine the number or amount of;
Can you count the books on your shelf?
Count your change
Count
Have weight; have import, carry weight;
It does not matter much
Count
Show consideration for; take into account;
You must consider her age
The judge considered the offender's youth and was lenient
Count
Name or recite the numbers;
The toddler could count to 100
Count
Put into a group;
The academy counts several Nobel Prize winners among its members
Count
Include as if by counting;
I can count my colleagues in the opposition
Count
Have faith or confidence in;
You can count on me to help you any time
Look to your friends for support
You can bet on that!
Depend on your family in times of crisis
Count
Take account of;
You have to reckon with our opponents
Count on the monsoon
Common Curiosities
Can a viscount inherit the title of count?
Yes, a viscount could inherit the title of count if they are next in line for succession or if the titles are merged through marriage or royal decree.
Can new counts or viscounts be created?
New titles can be created by the sovereign in monarchies that still recognize hereditary titles, although this is rare today.
How are counts and viscounts addressed?
Counts are typically addressed as "Count" or "Countess," and viscounts as "Viscount" or "Viscountess," followed by their name or territory.
Is there a female equivalent for count and viscount?
The female equivalents are countess for the wife or widow of a count and viscountess for the wife or widow of a viscount.
What is the difference in the coat of arms for a count and a viscount?
The coat of arms may differ in complexity and symbols, often reflecting the rank and privileges of the titleholder.
Do counts and viscounts still have power today?
In most countries, these titles are now ceremonial, with no governing or judicial powers.
How does one become a count or viscount?
Titles are typically inherited, but they can also be granted by a monarch for service or achievement.
Are the titles of count and viscount used outside Europe?
While most common in Europe, variations of these titles have been adopted in other cultures influenced by European nobility.
Do counts and viscounts have roles in modern governments?
In some countries, nobles, including counts and viscounts, may have ceremonial roles or influence in cultural and charitable activities but not in government.
How did the responsibilities of counts and viscounts vary across Europe?
Duties and powers varied significantly based on local laws, traditions, and the sovereign's policies.
Can a viscount be promoted to a count?
Promotion to a higher noble rank can occur, usually through royal favor, marriage, or significant contributions to the state.
Do counts and viscounts have a role in the church?
Historically, some held ecclesiastical positions or were patrons, but today, their roles are primarily secular.
Can a commoner become a count or viscount?
Historically rare, it is possible through marriage into the nobility or by royal grant for exceptional service.
What impact did counts and viscounts have on history?
Many played pivotal roles in shaping European political, social, and economic landscapes through their governance and participation in historical events.
How are disputes over titles of count and viscount resolved?
Disputes are typically resolved in courts or by the reigning monarch, based on laws of succession and nobility.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
