Earl vs. Count — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on November 2, 2023
Earl is a British noble title, equivalent to Count in other European countries, both ranking below Marquess and above Viscount.
Difference Between Earl and Count
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Key Differences
Both Earl and Count are titles of nobility, but their usage varies by region. In the British peerage system, the term "Earl" is used. Conversely, "Count" is commonly used in many European countries.
Historically, the title of Earl was introduced in England after the Norman Conquest, replacing the older Anglo-Saxon title of Ealdorman. The term "Count" originates from the Roman "Comes," used in various European lands.
The responsibilities of an Earl and a Count were traditionally similar, often overseeing a region, administering justice, and collecting taxes. However, the specifics could vary based on the country's laws and customs.
In terms of precedence, an Earl and a Count typically hold a similar rank in their respective systems. Both are below a Marquess or Duke and above a Viscount or Baron.
While the term "Count" has female counterparts in languages like French (Comtesse) and German (Gräfin), the wife of an Earl is referred to as a Countess in English, highlighting a linguistic distinction between the titles.
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Comparison Chart
Origin
Old English "eorl"
Latin "comes"
Usage
Primarily in the United Kingdom
Widespread in continental Europe
Equivalent Female Title
Countess
Countess in English; varies in other languages
Precedence
Below Marquess, above Viscount
Typically the same, varies by country
Responsibilities
Regional governance, traditionally
Similar, but specifics vary by region
Compare with Definitions
Earl
A title used in various countries as a rank of nobility.
The Earl of Dublin is an esteemed member of the Irish peerage.
Count
A nobleman ranking below a Marquess and above a Viscount.
The Count of Monte Cristo is a famous literary character.
Earl
A member of the aristocracy, often with ancestral lands.
The Earl hosted lavish parties at his ancestral castle.
Count
A title of European nobility with variations across countries.
The Count von Count amused children on Sesame Street.
Earl
A hereditary title in the peerage of the United Kingdom.
The newly appointed Earl took his seat in the House of Lords.
Count
A hereditary or appointed title in many monarchies.
The newly made Count proudly displayed his coat of arms.
Earl
A noble rank with historical duties of regional governance.
As Earl, his responsibilities included overseeing local justice.
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.
Earl
A British nobleman ranking below a Marquess and above a Viscount.
The Earl of Grantham presided over the estate with dignity.
Count
To name or list (the units of a group or collection) one by one in order to determine a total; number.
Earl
Earl () is a rank of the nobility in Britain. The title originates in the Old English word eorl, meaning "a man of noble birth or rank".
Count
To recite numerals in ascending order up to and including
Count three before firing.
Earl
A British nobleman next in rank above a viscount and below a marquis, corresponding to a count in continental Europe.
Count
To include in a reckoning; take account of
Ten dogs, counting the puppies.
Earl
Used as a title for such a nobleman.
Count
To include by or as if by counting
Count me in.
Earl
(entomology) Any of various nymphalid butterflies of the genus Tanaecia. Other butterflies in this genus are called counts and viscounts.
Count
To exclude by or as if by counting
Count me out.
Earl
A nobleman of England ranking below a marquis, and above a viscount. The rank of an earl corresponds to that of a count (comte) in France, and graf in Germany. Hence the wife of an earl is still called countess. See Count.
Count
To believe or consider to be; deem
Count yourself lucky.
Earl
The needlefish.
Count
To recite or list numbers in order or enumerate items by units or groups
Counted by tens.
Earl
A British peer ranking below a Marquess and above a Viscount
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
The totality of specific items in a particular sample
A white blood cell count.
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 total number counted;
A blood count
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
Count
An aristocratic rank with historical responsibilities.
The Count was tasked with collecting taxes for the kingdom.
Count
A noble rank, often associated with landownership.
The Count owned vast vineyards in the French countryside.
Common Curiosities
What is a Count?
A Count is a noble title used in many European countries, equivalent to an Earl.
What is an Earl?
An Earl is a British noble title ranking below a Marquess and above a Viscount.
What are the responsibilities of a Count?
Similar to an Earl, a Count historically had duties related to governance and administration.
What's the female equivalent of a Count?
The female equivalent is a Countess, both for the wife of a Count and a female holder of the title.
Can an Earl title be inherited?
Yes, the title of Earl is often hereditary, passing down through family lines.
What are the responsibilities of an Earl?
Traditionally, an Earl oversaw regional governance, justice, and taxation.
What's the historical origin of an Earl?
The title originates from the Old English "eorl," introduced after the Norman Conquest.
Is there a female equivalent to an Earl?
The wife of an Earl is called a Countess, but there is no direct female equivalent title.
Does an Earl have a role in government?
Historically, yes. In modern times, some Earls are members of the House of Lords in the UK.
What's the historical origin of a Count?
The title comes from the Latin "comes," used in the Roman Empire and later in various European regions.
Can a Count title be inherited?
Similar to an Earl, a Count title is usually hereditary in most countries.
Are Earls wealthy?
Historically, Earls were wealthy landowners, but this varies in contemporary times.
Are Counts wealthy?
Traditionally, Counts were wealthy nobles, but their financial status can vary today.
Does a Count have a political role?
This varies by country, but traditionally, Counts had roles in local governance.
Can new Earls be created?
Yes, the British monarch can create new Earls, though it's less common now.
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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.
