Titles: The Definitive and Easy Version
Part of the Articles series.
Written by Rose.
In a nutshell:
The unmarried Lady Viola Fitzgerald is always Lady Viola or Lady Viola Fitzgerald, never Lady Fitzgerald.
Richard Fitzgerald, Earl of Rotherham is always Lord Rotherham, never Lord Fitzgerald or Lord Richard. He is never Lord Richard Fitzgerald, Earl of Rotherham. The "Lord" is part of his title and only goes with Rotherham.
The crucial thing to bear in mind with people who are titled is that they have both a family name and a title. These are different and are used in different contexts.
I shall be using the fictional Pratte family as an example.
A more in-depth look at titles can be found at my tumblr here[1].
Dukes
Julian Pratte, Duke of Ashridge. Known as The Duke of Ashridge or just Ashridge to friends. Never known as Lord Ashridge. Addressed as Your Grace. Close friends call him Julian. The name Pratte would hardly ever be used except in the context of his full name.
His wife is Sophia, Duchess of Ashridge. Known as the Duchess of Ashridge. Never known as Lady Ashridge. Addressed as Your Grace. Close friends call her Sophia.
Dukes and Duchesses are not known as Lord and Lady [Title] as other peers are.
Julian and Sophia's eldest son and heir is Christopher Pratte, Marquess of Bowdery. When Julian dies, he will become Duke of Ashridge and his son will be Marquess.
If Julian and Sophia have any more sons, then they will have courtesy titles, e.g. Lord Henry Pratte (more on them later).
Julian and Sophia have a daughter, Lady Elinor Pratte. Known as Lady Elinor or Lady Elinor Pratte. Addressed as My Lady/Your Ladyship. Close friends call her Elinor.
If Julian and Sophia had more daughters, they would also be titled in the same way.
Marquesses
Christopher Pratte, Marquess of Bowdery. Known as Lord Bowdery, or just Bowdery. Adressed as Lord Bowdery or My Lord/Your Lordship. Marquis is the French spelling of the title.
His wife is Jane, Marchioness of Bowdery. Known as Lady Bowdery. Address as My Lady/Your Ladyship.
Their eldest son is Charles Pratte, Earl of Hoybrige. Their younger son is Lord Philip Pratte.
Their two daughers are Lady Julia and Lady Susan Pratte. Addressed as Lady Julia and Lady Susan.
Earls
Charles Pratte, Earl of Hoybridge. Known as Lord Hoybridge, or Hoybridge. Addressed as Lord Hoybridge or My Lord/Your Lordship.
His wife is Marianne, Countess of Hoybridge. Known as Lady Hoybridge and addressed as My Lady/Your Ladyship.
Their eldest son is Harry Pratte, Viscount Delaford. Their second son is The Honourable John Pratte, known as Mr. Pratte. Their third son is Mr. James Pratte.
Their daughter is Lady Miranda Pratte, addressed as Lady Miranda. If they had more daughters they would also be Ladies.
Viscounts
Harry Pratte, Viscount Delaford. Known as Lord Delaford, or Delaford. Addressed as Lord Delaford or My Lord/Your Lordship.
His wife is Imelda, Viscountess Delaford. Known as Lady Delaford and addresse as My Lady/Your Ladyship.
Their eldest son is The Honourable George Pratte, known as Mr. Pratte. Their younger son is The Honourable Richard Pratte, known as Mr. Richard Pratte.
Their daughters are The Honourable Pearl and Ruby Pratte, known as the Misses Prattes.
Barons
Philip Craig, Baron Featherstone. Known as Lord Featherstone. Addressed as Lord Featherstone or My Lord/Your Lordship.
His wife is Ruby, Baroness Featherstone. Known as Lady Featherstone. Addressed as My Lady/Your Ladyship.
For children, see Viscounts above.
Baronets
Baronets do not have titles.
Sir William Lucas. Known as Sir William or Sir William Lucas, never Sir Lucas. Addressed as Sir.
His wife Fanny Lucas. Known as Lady Lucas. Addressed as My Lady/Your Ladyship.
His eldest son is Mr. Lucas. Younger son is Mr. John Lucas.
Eldest daughter is Miss Lucas. Younger daughter is Miss Maria Lucas.
Courtesy Titles
These apply to the younger sons of Dukes and Marquesses. The format is Lord Firstname Surname. NO TITLE.
The Duke of Ashridge's younger son is Lord Henry Pratte. Known as Lord Henry or Lord Henry Pratte, never as Lord Pratte. Addressed as My Lord/Your Lordship.
His wife is Lady Henry Pratte. Known as Lady Henry or Lady Henry Pratte, never as Lady Pratte. Addressed as My Lady/Your Ladyship.
Their children would be Mr. and Misses.
Mr. and Misses
Sir William and Lady Lucas have four children, Edward, John, Charlotte and Maria.
Edward is known as Mr. Lucas.
John is known as Mr. John Lucas or Mr. John, except when Edward is not present, when he may be Mr. Lucas. When Sir William dies and Edward becomes Sir Edward Lucas, John will become Mr. Lucas all the time.
Charlotte is known as Miss Lucas.
Maria is known as Miss Maria Lucas or Miss Maria, except when Charlotte is not present when she may be addressed as Miss Lucas. When Charlotte marries, she will become Miss Lucas all the time.
Ladies who marry Misters
Lady Miranda Pratte married Mr. Lucas. She was then known as Lady Miranda Lucas. Never Lady Lucas or Mrs. Lucas. The couple would introduced as Mr. and Lady Miranda Lucas.
Dowagers
When a titled man dies and his son inherits his title, then his widow becomes a Dowager.
On the death of Julian Pratte, Duke of Ashridge, Christopher became Duke of Ashridge and his wife Jane the Duchess. Sophia, Julian's wife became known as The Dowager Duchess of Ashridge. She was still addressed as Your Grace.