What Does Esquire Mean?
Mission Personal Injury Lawyers | May 3, 2025 | Personal Injury
If you’ve ever dealt with a legal issue, you might have received a letter from your lawyer with the title “Esquire” or its abbreviation “Esq.” You probably wondered what this title means and how it relates to the legal profession. The answer interweaves quirks of history and English noble titles.
What Does “Esquire” Mean?
In medieval England, a squire was a knight’s attendant. The word comes from French and roughly translates to “shield bearer.” In England, knights ranked low among the nobility. Their squires weren’t considered part of the nobility. However, they often played an important role as attendants, administrators, and advisors.
Over time, English gentlemen began to adopt “Esquire” to denote their importance in society when they lacked a noble title. The practice was carried to the U.S. during the British colonization.
What Is an Esquire in the U.S.?
The same informal rules applied in the U.S. as in England. Businessmen, lawyers, politicians, and other men (because it was usually considered a masculine title) would adopt “Esquire” to denote their high position in society.
The U.S. Constitution added a wrinkle for those who wished to adopt a title to distinguish themselves from the commoners. Under Article I, the United States is barred from bestowing any title of nobility.
This restriction was written by the same founders who started the Preamble with “We the people,” and their intention was clear: They wanted to avoid establishing the type of feudal and aristocratic system that they had just overthrown.
How Did “Esquire” Become an Abbreviation for a Lawyer?
Lawyers on both sides of the Atlantic may style themselves as “Esquire.” However, neither society reserves the use of the term exclusively for attorneys. Technically, anyone, regardless of occupation or sex, can use the title.
However, over time, other professionals began abandoning the honorific, while many lawyers retained it. The shift in usage has led many people to define “Esquire” as a title used solely by lawyers, though no rule requires it.
Other Ways to Identify a Lawyer
Under California law, it’s illegal to hold oneself out as a lawyer or attorney unless one is legally authorized to practice law in the state.
To gain a law license, an applicant typically must have completed law school, passed the state bar exam, and undergone a background check. This is meant to provide some assurance that someone is a lawyer when they represent themselves as one or claim to be able to practice law.
Some people take advantage of accident victims by misrepresenting their ability to handle personal injury claims. These scammers are often never caught because many cases typically settle rather than going to trial.
When searching for legal representation, it’s important to ask questions that will help you assess a lawyer’s qualifications during your initial consultation. The answers they provide could raise red flags regarding their ability to practice law.
Once you find a lawyer you want to hire, consider using the State Bar of California attorney search page to verify that the person is officially authorized to practice law. You can also check the lawyer’s disciplinary record to see whether they have any complaints against them.
Relevance of the Term “Esquire”
The term “Esquire” is essentially meaningless in determining an individual’s profession; it’s an honorific title many lawyers use after working to gain bar admission. There are other, better ways to identify attorneys and verify their credentials to ensure that you receive the dependable legal assistance you need.
Contact the Personal Injury Law Firm of Mission Personal Injury Lawyers Today To Get More Information
If you’ve been injured in San Diego or Chula Vista, please call Mission Personal Injury Lawyers for a free case evaluation with a personal injury lawyer or contact us online.
We proudly serve San Diego County and throughout California.
Mission Personal Injury Lawyers – San Diego Office
2515 Camino del Rio S Suite 350, San Diego, CA 92108
(619) 777-5555
Mission Personal Injury Lawyers – Chula Vista Office
690 Otay Lakes Rd #130, Chula Vista, CA 91910
(619) 722-3032
We also serve the state of Texas. For legal assistance, contact our personal injury law office in El Paso today.
Mission Personal Injury Lawyers – El Paso Office
201 E Main Suite 106, El Paso, Texas 79901
(915) 591-1000
