⚜️ Styles of Non-Peerage Feudal Barons and Lairds
(Traditional Forms of Address in Scotland and Feudal Jurisdictions)
🏰 Feudal Barons (Non-Peerage Nobility)
| Position |
On Envelopes |
Salutation in Letter |
Oral / Social Address |
| Feudal Baron |
The Much Hon. John Smith of Edinburgh
or The Much Hon. John Smith, Baron of Edinburgh
or The Much Hon. The Baron of Edinburgh |
Sir
or Dear Edinburgh
or Dear Baron Edinburgh |
Baron |
Female Feudal Baroness
(in her own right or as wife of a baron) |
The Much Hon. Jane Smith, Baroness of Edinburgh
or The Much Hon. Lady Edinburgh |
Madam
or Dear Baroness
or Dear Lady Edinburgh |
Madam
or Baroness
or Lady Edinburgh |
Notes:
-
The prefix “The Much Hon.” (The Much Honoured) is traditionally used for Scottish
feudal barons and their spouses.
-
The territorial designation (e.g., of Edinburgh) is essential, denoting ownership of a heritable barony recognized by
the Crown or Lord Lyon.
🏞️ Chiefs, Chieftains, and Lairds
(Only lairds recognized with a territorial designation by the Lord Lyon may use these
styles.)
| Position |
On Envelopes |
Salutation in Letter |
Oral / Social Address |
| Chief, Chieftain, or Laird |
John Smith of Smith
or John Smith of Edinburgh
or John Smith of that Ilk
or The Smith of Smith
or The Smith of Edinburgh
or simply The Smith |
Sir
or Dear Edinburgh (if placename in title)
or Dear Smith (otherwise) |
Edinburgh (if territorial)
or Smith (otherwise) |
Female Chief, Chieftain, or Laird
(or wife of same) |
The Hon. Mrs. Smith of Edinburgh
or Lady Edinburgh |
Madam
or Dear Lady Edinburgh |
Madam
or Lady Edinburgh |
| Heir-Apparent (Younger) |
John Smith of Edinburgh, yr.
or John Smith, yr. of Edinburgh |
Sir
or Dear Younger of Edinburgh
or Dear Mr. Smith of Edinburgh |
Young Edinburgh
or The Younger of Edinburgh |
| Heir-Apparent’s Wife |
Mrs. Smith of Edinburgh, yr.
or Mrs. Smith, yr. of Edinburgh |
Madam
or Dear Mrs. Smith of Edinburgh the Younger |
Madam
or Mrs. Smith of Edinburgh |
| Eldest Daughter |
Miss Smith of Edinburgh
or Jane Smith, Maid of Edinburgh |
Madam
or Dear Miss Smith of Edinburgh
or Dear Maid of Edinburgh |
Miss Smith of Edinburgh
or Maid of Edinburgh |
| Younger Daughter |
Miss Mary Smith of Edinburgh |
Madam
or Dear Miss Smith of Edinburgh |
Miss Smith of Edinburgh |
📜 Protocol Notes
-
The style of that Ilk denotes that the family name and territorial designation are identical
(e.g., John Campbell of Campbell).
-
The use of “The Smith of Edinburgh” or similar definite article forms is restricted
to recognized chiefs and lairds recorded in the Public Register of All Arms and Bearings in Scotland.
-
“Younger” (yr.) is the traditional suffix for an heir apparent to a laird or chiefship.
-
“Maid of [territory]” denotes the eldest unmarried daughter of a chief or laird.
🕊️ Example Summary for Modern Reference
| Title |
Formal Written Form |
Social Form |
| Feudal Baron |
The Much Hon. John Smith of Edinburgh |
Baron Edinburgh |
| Feudal Baroness |
The Much Hon. Lady Edinburgh |
Lady Edinburgh |
| Laird |
John Smith of Edinburgh |
Edinburgh |
| Heir Apparent |
John Smith of Edinburgh, yr. |
The Younger of Edinburgh |
| Chief’s Daughter |
Miss Smith of Edinburgh |
The Maid of Edinburgh |
👑 Styles of a Feudal Prince or Lord of a Principality
(Non-royal or semi-sovereign princely dignity within feudal or palatine jurisdiction)
| Position |
On Envelopes (Formal Address) |
Salutation in Letter |
Oral / Social Address |
| Feudal Prince / Prince of a Principality |
His Serene Lordship The Prince of Annaly and Longford
or His Serene Highness Prince George Mentz of Annaly and
Longford
or The Most Noble and Serene Prince George Mentz, Seigneur of Blondel and
Lord of the Honour of Annaly |
Your Serene Highness
or Your Excellency (in diplomatic use)
or My Lord Prince |
Prince
or Your Highness
or My Lord |
| Female Prince (Princess) or Consort of the Prince |
Her Serene Highness The Princess of Annaly and Longford
or The Lady Princess of Annaly |
Your Serene Highness
or Your Ladyship |
Princess
or Your Highness
or My Lady |
| Lord of a Principality (without princely style) |
The Most Hon. The Lord of the Principality of Annaly and
Longford
or The Lord Annaly |
My Lord
or Your Lordship |
Lord Annaly
or My Lord |
| Lady of a Principality (female lord or spouse) |
The Most Hon. The Lady of the Principality of Annaly and
Longford
or Lady Annaly |
My Lady
or Your Ladyship |
Lady Annaly
or My Lady |
| Heir-Apparent (Hereditary Prince) |
His Highness The Hereditary Prince of Annaly and Longford
or Prince [First Name] of Annaly |
Your Highness
or Dear Prince [First Name] |
Prince [First Name]
or Your Highness |
| Heir-Apparent’s Spouse |
Her Highness The Hereditary Princess of Annaly and
Longford |
Your Highness |
Princess [First Name] |
| Younger Children of the Prince or Lord |
Lord [First Name] Mentz of Annaly
or Lady [First Name] Mentz of Annaly |
My Lord / My Lady
or Dear Lord / Lady [First Name] |
Lord [First Name]
or Lady [First Name] |
⚜️ Protocol Notes
-
The title “Prince” or “Lord of a Principality” in feudal usage denotes a territorial and heritable jurisdiction, not necessarily a sovereign monarchy.
-
The style “His/Her Serene Highness” (H.S.H.) is traditionally used for non-royal
princely houses and feudal princes (comparable to continental usage).
-
When formally recognized under feudal or palatine rights, the style
“His Serene Lordship” may be substituted for modest usage.
-
Diplomatic correspondence may use “Your Excellency” when the Prince or Lord holds ambassadorial or
governmental rank.
-
In social settings, “Prince [First Name]”, “My Lord Annaly”, or “Your Highness” are all proper and polite.
-
Female counterparts retain identical dignity in address (Princess or Lady of the
Principality).
🕊️ Example Summary
| Title / Dignity |
Formal Style |
Social Address |
| Feudal Prince |
His Serene Highness The Prince of Annaly and Longford |
Your Highness or Prince Annaly |
| Princess (Consort or Heiress) |
Her Serene Highness The Princess of Annaly and Longford |
Your Highness |
| Lord of a Principality |
The Most Hon. The Lord of the Principality of Annaly and Longford |
My Lord Annaly |
| Lady of a Principality |
The Most Hon. The Lady of the Principality of Annaly and Longford |
My Lady Annaly |
| Heir Apparent |
His Highness The Hereditary Prince of Annaly |
The Younger Prince |
| Heir Apparent’s Spouse |
Her Highness The Hereditary Princess of Annaly |
Your Highness |
| Younger Son / Daughter |
Lord [First Name] Annaly / Lady [First Name] Annaly |
Lord [First Name] / Lady [First Name] |
Analysis of Feudal
Irish and Scottish Baronies
http://www.kevinboone.net/thetitlesgame.html
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