What does it mean if you have esquire (esq.) after your name?

Answer 1

Esquire (abbreviated Esq.) was originally a social rank above that of mere gentleman, allowed, for example, to the sons of nobles and gentry who did not possess any other title. A gentleman, on this basis, was designated Mr (before his name) whereas an Esquire was so designated (with no prefix before the name) after his name. A very late example of this distinction can be seen in the list of subscribers to The History of Elton by the Rev. Rose Fuller Whistler, published in 1882, which clearly distinguishes between subscribers designated "Mr" and those, of higher social position, designated "Esquire". But even then this was somewhat old-fashioned.

In the United States, there are no titled gentry or nobility, but the suffix "Esq." is commonly used to indicate that an individual is a lawyer, albeit not exclusively as there are no legal restrictions on the use of this suffix in the United States. This is a remnant of the United Kingdom practice, in which barristers claimed the status of Esquire and solicitors used the term "gentleman." In the United States, these separate roles of legal counsel have been combined.

Answer 2

Esquire Definition

Answer 3

There are various meanings to the term esquire, you may wish to see the definitions from the reference below:

the most relevant one to your need would be definition #2 which states:
"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."

wikipedia also has more information about the term of esquire (see 2nd reference)

Answer 4

It simply means: a form of address showing that someone is an attorney, usually written Albert Pettifog, Esquire, or simply Esq. It comes from England, an Esquire was a rank above "gentleman" and below "knight." It was a title used for barristers, sheriffs and judges, back in the old days.

Answer 5

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RE:
What does it mean if you have esquire (esq.) after your name?

Answer 6

CHSLAW is correct. Esq. is listed after the name of a practicing attorney to signify that he or she is a member in good standing of the bar in at least one jurisdiction.

A law school graduate is entitled to use J.D. (juris doctor) after his or her name, but cannot hold him- or herself out as an attorney (by using Esq.) unless he or she has passed a bar exam and been sworn in. Esq. implies that the user is a member of the bar.

As CHSLAW pointed out, however, most attorneys do not refer to themselves as John Doe, Esq. It is most commonly a courtesy address used by others when referring to them, although some attorneys do use it when they need a shorthand way of stating that they are a practicing attorney. Some feel it's a bit snobby.

Answer 7

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Answer 8

This is added the the last name of an individual that is of loyalist background. If you are a wealthy businessman and belong to a loyalist social club you are announced a ( name ) followed by esquire. It is a sign of distinction from commoners.

Answer 9

In Britain, it means diddly. It means you're a male, presumably respectable. If you have no other title, then the overly-British will put "esq." after your name on an envelope, etc.

In America, I believe it's sometimes used after a lawyer's surname. However, I don't see it used much by U.S. lawyers. Much more likely that a lawyer will want to signify his or her law degree following their name.

Hope that helps.

Answer 10

I don't know how the tradition came about, but is a title used when addressing an attorney. It's also traditional for an attorney to NOT refer himself for herself with that title.