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Esquire vs. Squire — What's the Difference?

By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 3, 2023
"Esquire" often denotes a title for attorneys or gentlemen, while "squire" historically refers to a landowner or a knight's apprentice.
Esquire vs. Squire — What's the Difference?

Difference Between Esquire and Squire

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Key Differences

"Esquire" is commonly abbreviated as "Esq." and used as an honorific title, specifically following the name of someone in the United States who practices law. On the other hand, "squire" historically was a term in feudal systems, referring to young men training to be knights.
In modern times, "esquire" has lost much of its original nobility connotation and primarily stands as a professional title for lawyers. Conversely, "squire" has a more antique tone, evoking images of medieval Europe and young men serving knights.
Beyond the professional context, "esquire" can sometimes be a general courtesy title, though this usage is rarer. "Squire" in some contexts, particularly in the UK, can also mean a principal landowner in a village or rural area.
The etymology of "esquire" is derived from the Old French word "escuier," meaning "shield bearer." It once referred to a rank just below knight. "Squire," too, comes from "escuier," reflecting their shared origin but diverging meanings over time.
Socially, if someone is addressed as "esquire" in a non-legal setting, it suggests a sense of respect or formality. In contrast, addressing someone as "squire," especially in modern times, may come across as either archaic or colloquial, depending on the context.
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Comparison Chart

Usage

Often a title for attorneys
Historically, a knight's apprentice

Context

Professional (law)
Feudal (knighthood, landownership)

Origin

Derived from Old French "escuier" (shield bearer)
Same as esquire

Modern Use

Mostly in legal profession
Rare, sometimes refers to rural landowner

Tone

Formal and professional
Either archaic or colloquial depending on the context

Compare with Definitions

Esquire

Historically, a rank just below knight.
He was bestowed the title of esquire for his service.

Squire

Historically, a young nobleman acting as an attendant to a knight.
The squire carried the knight's armor.

Esquire

A title of respect or courtesy.
Dear Mr. Smith, Esquire.

Squire

A magistrate or justice of the peace.

Esquire

Used in formal correspondence.
Address the letter to Dr. Allen, Esquire.

Squire

Starting in the Middle Ages, a squire was the shield- or armour-bearer of a knight.Use of the term evolved over time. Initially, a squire was a knight's apprentice.

Esquire

A title appended to lawyers.
John Doe, Esquire represented the client.

Squire

A man of high social standing who owns and lives on an estate in a rural area, especially the chief landowner in such an area
The squire of Radbourne Hall
Squire Trelawny

Esquire

A title for a gentleman.
James Patterson, Esquire, was invited to the banquet.

Squire

A young nobleman acting as an attendant to a knight before becoming a knight himself.

Esquire

Esquire (, US also ; abbreviated Esq.) is usually a courtesy title. In the United Kingdom, Esquire historically was a title of respect accorded to men of higher social rank, particularly members of the landed gentry above the rank of gentleman and below the rank of knight.

Squire

A subadult snapper fish (Chrysophrys auratus ).

Esquire

A polite title appended to a man's name when no other title is used, typically in the address of a letter or other documents
J. C. Pearson Esquire

Squire

(of a man) accompany or escort (a woman)
She was squired around Rome by a reporter

Esquire

A young nobleman who, in training for knighthood, acted as an attendant to a knight.

Squire

A man who attends or escorts a woman; a gallant.

Esquire

A man or boy who is a member of the gentry in England ranking directly below a knight.

Squire

An English country gentleman, especially the chief landowner in a district.

Esquire

Abbr. Esq. Used as an honorific usually in its abbreviated form, especially after the name of an attorney or a consular officer
Jane Doe, Esq.
John Doe, Esq.

Squire

A local dignitary.

Esquire

Chiefly British A barrister-at-law.

Squire

A young nobleman attendant upon a knight and ranked next below a knight in feudal hierarchy.

Esquire

In medieval times, a candidate for knighthood who served a knight as an attendant and a shield bearer.

Squire

To attend as a squire; escort.

Esquire

(Archaic) An English country gentleman; a squire.

Squire

A shield-bearer or armor-bearer who attended a knight.

Esquire

A lawyer.

Squire

A title of dignity next in degree below knight, and above gentleman. See esquire.

Esquire

A male member of the gentry ranking below a knight.

Squire

A male attendant on a great personage.

Esquire

An honorific sometimes placed after a man's name.

Squire

A devoted attendant or follower of a lady; a beau.

Esquire

A gentleman who attends or escorts a lady in public.

Squire

A title of office and courtesy. See under esquire.

Esquire

(archaic) A squire; a youth who in the hopes of becoming a knight attended upon a knight

Squire

Term of address to a male equal.

Esquire

(obsolete) A shield-bearer, but also applied to other attendants.

Squire

(obsolete) A ruler; a carpenter's square; a measure.

Esquire

(heraldry) A bearing somewhat resembling a gyron, but extending across the field so that the point touches the opposite edge of the escutcheon.

Squire

(transitive) To attend as a squire.

Esquire

To attend, wait on, escort.

Squire

(transitive) To attend as a beau, or gallant, for aid and protection.

Esquire

Originally, a shield-bearer or armor-bearer, an attendant on a knight; in modern times, a title of dignity next in degree below knight and above gentleman; also, a title of office and courtesy; - often shortened to squire.

Squire

A square; a measure; a rule.

Esquire

To wait on as an esquire or attendant in public; to attend.

Squire

A shield-bearer or armor-bearer who attended a knight.

Esquire

(Middle Ages) an attendant and shield bearer to a knight; a candidate for knighthood

Squire

A title of dignity next in degree below knight, and above gentleman. See Esquire.

Esquire

A title of respect for a member of the English gentry ranking just below a knight; placed after the name

Squire

A male attendant on a great personage; also (Colloq.), a devoted attendant or follower of a lady; a beau.

Squire

A title of office and courtesy. See under Esquire.

Squire

To attend as a squire.

Squire

To attend as a beau, or gallant, for aid and protection; as, to squire a lady.

Squire

Young nobleman attendant on a knight

Squire

An English country landowner

Squire

A man who attends or escorts a woman

Squire

Attend upon as a squire; serve as a squire

Squire

A knight's apprentice.
The squire assisted the knight in his duties.

Squire

A principal landowner in a village or rural area.
The squire of the town held considerable influence.

Squire

A title of respect or courtesy in some rural areas.
Morning, squire! Lovely weather we're having.

Squire

A term for a male escort or companion.
She arrived at the event with her squire by her side.

Common Curiosities

Can "squire" refer to someone other than a knight's apprentice?

Yes, especially in the UK, it can mean a principal landowner in a rural area.

What does "esquire" commonly denote in the U.S.?

In the U.S., "esquire" is often a title for attorneys.

What's the common abbreviation for "esquire"?

"Esq."

How do British and American uses of "squire" differ?

In the UK, "squire" can sometimes mean a principal landowner, whereas in the U.S., it's mostly an archaic term.

Is "esquire" specific to the legal profession?

Mostly in modern times, but historically it had broader social connotations.

Can "esquire" be used for both men and women attorneys?

Yes, both male and female attorneys can use the title "Esquire" or "Esq."

Can "esquire" be used as a general courtesy title?

Yes, but this usage is rarer compared to its association with lawyers.

Does "esquire" have a hierarchy in nobility?

Historically, "esquire" denoted a rank just below knight.

How is "squire" historically significant?

Historically, a "squire" referred to a knight's apprentice or a young nobleman.

Are the words "esquire" and "squire" related in origin?

Yes, both come from the Old French "escuier," meaning "shield bearer."

How might one use "squire" in a colloquial context?

"Squire" can sometimes be a friendly form of address, like "Morning, squire!"

In what setting would one address someone as "esquire"?

Primarily in legal settings or formal correspondence.

Is "squire" ever used in modern titles or roles?

Outside of historical or literary contexts, it's rare but can be used to denote a rural landowner.

Can "squire" be used to denote a male companion?

Yes, "squire" can also refer to a male escort or companion.

Would it be common to hear "squire" in modern conversation?

Generally, it's rare and might sound archaic or colloquial based on the context.

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Author Spotlight

Written by
Tayyaba Rehman
Tayyaba 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.

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