April 21, 2025 | Miscellaneous
You might have seen the abbreviation “Esq.” following someone’s name on an official document or letterhead and wondered what it meant. The suffix stands for “esquire,” a title with an interesting history that, today, primarily holds meaning in the legal world.
Where Does the Term Esquire Originate?
Esquire was first coined in medieval England, and it referred to someone who carried a knight’s shield and helped prepare them for battle. The word is derived from the Latin “scutarius,” which literally means “shield-bearer.”
By the 1700s, however, the meaning of the word had shifted, becoming a courtesy title for men of good social standing in England. The country’s landowners, minor officials, and various gentlemen would be addressed as “Esquire” in letters and formal documents.
How Esquire Became a Title for Lawyers
England traditionally had two classes of lawyers. These were barristers, who were courtroom lawyers, and solicitors who prepared cases. The former individuals were referred to as esquires, while the latter were simply referred to as “gentlemen.”
As the development of the American legal system began, it would end up borrowing many traditions from England, the usage of “esquire” being one of them. However, America only used a single type of lawyer who would handle all kinds of legal tasks both in and out of the courtroom. As such, all lawyers would take on the title as a professional marker.
An interesting note is that there was no official rule or decorum that required lawyers to be called esquires; instead, the term’s adoption simply came about from common use.
The Use of Esquire By Lawyers Today
In the U.S. today, the presence of Esquire or Esq. after a person’s name in documentation has a straightforward, professional meaning that signifies the following:
- The person has graduated from law school
- They have passed the bar exam in at least one state
- They remain in good standing with their state bar association
- They are currently licensed to practice law
The title appears only after a person’s full name, never before it. In other words, “Esquire John Smith” would be incorrect compared to “John Smith, Esquire” or “John Smith, Esq.”
Legal Ethics and the Use of Esquire
Using the title of esquire when you’re not actually a lawyer can get you in trouble, as it could be seen as an unauthorized practice of law.
That kind of scrutiny is meant to protect consumers by ensuring that those seeking legal aid for issues like vehicle accidents, motorcycle crashes, or pedestrian accidents get it from qualified professionals.
Esquire and Gender
For many centuries, “Esquire” was only used for men. Women weren’t allowed to practice law until the late 19th and early 20th century in most places, and when they began entering the profession, there were questions about the title they should use.
There were some attempts to create feminine versions, like “Esquiress,” in the 1600s, but none caught on. Instead, the profession simply made Esquire gender-neutral. Today, a female attorney would be referred to as “Jane Smith, Esq.” just as a male attorney would be “John Smith, Esq.”
When and How To Use Esquire
“Esquire” appears in these specific places:
- On business cards and letterheads
- In formal letters and legal documents
- In attorney directories and professional listings
- On office doors and nameplates
Attorneys don’t actually use the title when signing court documents; instead, they simply identify themselves as “Attorney for Plaintiff” or a similar title.
Other Legal Titles
Esquire isn’t the only title lawyers might use.
Other common designations include:
- Attorney at Law
- Counselor at Law
- J.D. (Juris Doctor)
- Member of the Bar
These alternatives sometimes appear alongside or instead of Esquire, depending on local customs and personal preference.
Understanding Legal Designations
In a single sentence, the title of Esquire serves as a shorthand for, “This person has met the professional standards to practice law.” When you see it or its abbreviation after someone’s name, you’re looking at someone who has spent years studying law, passing rigorous exams, and committing themselves to upholding professional ethics.
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