The British Honours Order is a noble establishment dating back centuries and the intricacies of the hierarchy can be difficult to understand. At Bayleaf, one of the most common questions we get asked by anyone researching how to receive a Knighthood is: What is the difference between a Lord and a Sir?
The answer is really quite simple once you understand how the order works. “Sir” is used to address a man who has the rank of a baronet or a knight – we’ll address these honours shortly. Anyone that receives a higher honour than these would be referred to as a Lord.
What Does The Term Baronet Mean?
A Baronet or Baronetess is ranked higher than a knight but lower than a Baron. Barons are addressed as Lord, while Baronets are addressed as Sir or Dame if they’re female. The term Baronet was first created by King James I of England in May 1611.
These days, the title of Baronet is in great decline as this honour has not been awarded since 1990, when Margaret Thatcher’s husband Sir Denis Thatcher was bestowed one. Today, there are only around 1000 Baronets or Baronetesses left in the UK.
Any person wishing to be recognised as a Baronet must prove their succession to the relevant dignity to the satisfaction of the Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice. Only then, will a previously awarded title be passed down through the generations.
What Is A Knight, And How Do You Get A Knighthood?
A knight is a person granted an honorary title of knighthood by a head of state (including the Pope) or representative for service to the monarch, the church or the country, especially in a military capacity.
Knighthood is a title bestowed upon an individual by the reigning monarch for services to their country or outstanding personal achievement. Damehood is a title bestowed upon a woman for the same reasons and is the equivalent of a Knighthood.
The title ‘Sir’ is used to address a man who has been awarded a knighthood. The monarch may choose to offer a knighthood in recognition of a British citizen’s outstanding personal achievement, public service, or charitable work. The Cabinet Office decides on the recipients of knighthoods twice a year, on New Year’s Day and The King’s official birthday in June.
Examples of British citizens awarded knighthoods for personal achievements include the actor Sir David Jason, and musicians Sir Elton John and Sir Paul McCartney. It is commonly believed that a knighthood is offered as thanks and recognition for favourable representation of the United Kingdom.
Are You A Sir With An OBE?
We are often asked the question, “Is an OBE a Sir?” or “Is a CBE a Sir?” The answer is not straightforward. A man who has been given a knighthood can use ‘Sir’ rather than ‘Mr.’. However, there are different ranks of knighthood.
Only the top two ranks of knighthood, GBE and KBE, are eligible to use the title Sir or Dame. However, individuals who are awarded a CBE, OBE, or MBE may be awarded an additional higher rank at a later date, which enables them to use the title. This means that receiving an OBE or CBE doesn’t automatically entitle you to use Sir or Dame.
Is A Lord Higher Than A Sir?
Yes, a Lord is higher than a Sir or Dame. A Lord is any man who has the rank of Duke, Marquess, Earl/Count, Viscount, or Baron and a Dame is a woman with the rank of Marchioness, Countess, Viscountess, Duchess, or Baroness.
Traditionally, these ranks were obtained through land ownership. These days, the most common ways to become a Lord or Lady are to either inherit the title through parentage or through marriage. However, it is important to note that purchasing a piece of land from the current owner does not guarantee the bestowal of a noble title.
Today, many people try to bypass the honours system by buying land from previous title owners. However, the title has to be recognised and conferred by the British monarchy or the British honours system to become a legitimate title.
How To Become a Lord
In the UK, there are several different honoured positions that are able to use the title of “Lord” or “Lady.” Some of these are earned through honoured achievements, while others can be inherited and passed down through families.
Land Ownership
It’s possible to purchase a Lordship if you buy land which was previously owned by a Lord. In the UK, some organisations sell off land for good causes, whilst also putting in environmental clauses about what can be done with the land. This gives the receiver the title they require and also helps the local area. These Lordships and Ladyships are legally recognised but aren’t as well thought of historically and socially in comparison to those passed down through family lines.
Lineage
Some people inherit titles and lands that are passed down through families. This title is normally only passed down to the oldest son or daughter in the absence of a male heir. All other children are left without titles.
However, due to the 1999 Act, these titles do not automatically entitle that person to any political standing or a position within the House of Lords. Only 92 hereditary titles are now able to enter to House of Lords. The remaining must enter through application.
Political Appointment
You can also secure the Lord title by being nominated into the House of Lords by a specific political party or by the Prime Minister. Nominees are usually senior party members, former MPs or people who have made proven contributions to society as part of their political party.
The House of Lords Appointments Commission will review these nominations and assess the suitability of the nominees to enter – providing a life peerage if successful.
House of Lords Peer Applications
In recent years, the House of Lords has shown dedication to the diversity of the House and invites applications from individuals across the social spectrum to participate their knowledge and experience within debates and subcommittees.
You can apply online to enter the House of Lords with a non-political party membership and success is based on your achievements and experience. Being selected in this way could take years and there is no guarantee of success, so it’s important to craft a winning application.
How To Enter The House Of Lords
The House of Lords Appointment Commission was originally established in 2000 in the UK after the 1999 House of Lords Act ended the right for hereditary peers to join. This means that a position within the House of Lords is no longer guaranteed through lineage.
When a potential new member is announced, the monarch provides a sealed letter confirming life peerage and a new title as a Lord or other high-ranking title that sits above a knighthood.
To be considered for the House of Lords, parliament will review your current achievements and commitments to the country and community that aren’t serving a particular parliamentary house.
Securing an honours award is one of the best ways to showcase your achievements and the experts here at Bayleaf can help to create the perfect application for you or any nominated person to give you the very best chance of securing that honour.
Our team will handle the administration, writing and the compiling of evidence until you’re completely satisfied with a professional application to impress. A prestigious honours award might just be the thing that secures that House of Lords invitation if you were to apply at a later date.
What Is A Duke Or Duchess?
The most common way to become a Duke or Duchess and use the Lord or Lady title is to inherit the Lordship from families. It’s usually passed down through families to the oldest child and the land that the person Lords over is often handed down too.
This can also happen through marriage. If a woman marries a Lord, they may become a Lady, for example. Those Dukes and Duchesses who still exist through family lines can also be addressed as “Your Grace.”
There aren’t as many new Dukes and Duchesses in the UK today as there used to be, but the title can also be bestowed upon someone for their achievements to the country or community. That said, awards of this nature are now typically given in the form of OBEs, CBEs or MBEs which are recognition for achievements. These don’t come with the “Lord” title.
What Is A Marquess Or Marchioness?
The title of Marquess was introduced in England in 1385 when Richard II created Robert de Vere Marquess of Dublin. Historically, Marquesses were responsible for the defence and administration of frontier areas, or “marches.”
The Marquess, or Marchioness if you’re female, ranks below a Duke or Duchess but just above an Earl or countess.
The majority of Marquesses or Marchionesses are given their title through lineage or marriage, just as Duke’s are, which gives them lands and titles and also the permission to attend state ceremonies – though they would have a lesser role in any ceremony than a Duke.
What Is An Earl Or Countess?
The title of Earl is of Anglo-Saxon origin, predating the Norman Conquest of 1066. The term “Earl” comes from the Old English “eorl,” which means nobility or warrior and is one of the oldest dated titles still in use today.
An Earl typically governed large areas of land and held various local administrative and judicial responsibilities. They rank lower than a Marquess, but slightly higher than a Viscount or Baron in the British peerage system.
This title is usually passed down through the family lines but can occasionally be awarded by the monarch for service to the country. However, these particular services are now typically awarded by high awarding honours such as the MBE.
What Is A Viscount Or Viscountess?
The title of Viscount was introduced in the 15th century, by King Henry VI and is a mid-ranking title held in the UK today. Anyone holding this title is addressed “The Right Honourable Viscount” and is only referred to as “Lord” in less formal settings.
What Is A Baron Or Baroness?
As the lowest rank of the peerage, Barons traditionally had less land and fewer responsibilities compared to higher-ranking peers. However, being a Baron still carried significant social status and responsibilities, particularly in the medieval period.
These titles have been changed in Scotland to the Lords or Ladies of Parliament to celebrate their more modern roles in the House of Lords. However, throughout the rest of the UK, they are addressed as “Sir” and aren’t officially given the title of Lord. Today these titles are given in political standing, rather than for noble heritage.
It is important to note that titles of nobility do not have any official political, legal, or social status in Britain today. Nonetheless, the honours system remains an integral part of British culture and serves as a way to recognise and celebrate the achievements of individuals who have made significant contributions to society, whether through their work, charitable efforts, or community service.
How Can Bayleaf Honours Help?
There are many honours awards to recognise the significant achievements of others and encourage the receipt of an honoured title. People in receipt of these titles don’t necessarily have to be of noble birth. The monarch or Secretary of State still offer titles to those who are a great service to their community and country.
To help you understand the different types of honours and which honour would be most appropriate based on your nominee’s achievements, the team here at Bayleaf is here to help with expert advice and professional support to create a successful application.
Mike McKie is the founder of Bayleaf and a specialist in UK Honours and recognition. He has advised on national honours submissions for community leaders, professionals and high‑profile figures, and is a published commentator on the UK Honours system in The Independent and Royal Central.
