Forms of address during the Regency
From Duke to Baron, from Baronet to commoner, there is a plethora of different ways one might address a native of Great Britain, some of which have evolved over the centuries. This post focuses strictly on the Regency period which spanned from 1811 - 1820.
Between first names, surnames, and uses such as "the honorable", lord, lady, and our more common Mr and Mrs, the study of 19th-century English forms of address can be very extensive but so much fun!
Lets start with the basics
Mr & Mrs:
Many men of the Regency were addressed as "Mr", the name that followed played a significant role in distinguishing their position in the family; whether it be common or noble. "Mr" followed by a surname, means the oldest son throughout most ranks. "Mr" followed by a first name could mean the younger son or brother of a noblemen. Such as would be the case if the characters from my novel, Eva and James Nightten had two sons. The elder would be "Mr. Nightten" and younger "Mr. (his first name) Nightten". Once their father passed away and the elder became "Baron de Grey" then his younger brother would be "Mr Nightten" and their younger brother "Mr. (his first name) Nightten" and so on depending on how many brothers they had.
Women addressed as Mrs were always married or widows. The wife of the eldest son would be "Mrs. Nightten" when the wife of the younger son would be "Mrs. (his first name) Nightten.
Miss:
Much like Mr, when "Miss" is followed by a surname it means the eldest, unmarried daughter of any rank. "Miss" followed by first and then surname means a younger daughter. Such as, "Miss Nightten and Miss (first name) Nightten" and so on depending on the number of daughters. Together they would be "The Misses Nightten". When the elder, unmarried sister is not present, one of the younger ones may be addressed as "Miss Nightten" but never in the presence of her older sister.
Baronets:
A Baronet with the name "John Doe" would be addressed in formal correspondence as "Sir John Doe, Bt" or announced "Sir John Doe". He would be addressed in speaking as "Sir John"
A baronet's wife would be addressed almost identically only with "Lady" and "Madam" such as "Lady Doe" and then "Madam" when met in passing. She may also be addressed as "my lady".
Barons:
A Baron such as the Wynthall Manor character James Nightten is the 3rd Baron de Grey. He would not be addressed by his surname, Nightten, but rather by his title, "de Grey". Announced or addressed formally he would be called "The Right Honorable Lord de Grey". Peers and commoners alike would refer to him first as "Lord de Grey" when meeting socially and then as "my lord". His signature would read simply, "de Grey"
The wife of a Baron is formally "The Right Honorable Lady de Grey". When met socially she would be referred to first as "Lady de Grey" and then "my lady" or "Madam". If she is a Baroness in her own right she could also be addressed as "Baroness de Grey".
Now it gets a bit tricky...
Viscounts:
A Viscount would be addressed very similarly to a baron. Never as his surname but as the name of his viscountcy. For instance, the fictional Viscount Dumont who is also Baron Alistair with a surname "Money" would be announced formally as "The Right Honorable The Viscount Dumont". He would be addressed in speaking first as "Lord Dumont" and then as "my lord". His signature would read simply "Dumont". Those of a more close acquaintance (such as family and immediate friends) might also refer to him as "Dumont".
A Viscountess is addressed very similarly to her husband. Announced formally as "The Right Honorable The Viscountess Dumont". Addressed in speaking: "Lady Dumont" and then "my lady". Her signature would read: "(her first name) Dumont".
The viscount's oldest son would be called: "Mr. Money"
Earls:
With most earls you will see the word "of" in their title. Such as Earl of This or That. This is usually only the case when the name has been taken from a place. When the name is taken from another name such as Mason then the title would be Earl Mason. This earl is formally "The Right Honorable The Earl Mason". In speaking he would be called "Lord Mason" and then "My lord".
His wife, the countess, would be called Lady Mason. Her first and last name would hardly ever be used unless she is signing them to a letter.
Now we move into "courtesy titles". A courtesy title is the second title held by a peer. Such as The Earl of This or That may also be the Viscount Jones. In this case his oldest son would take this on as a courtesy title. Instead of being called by his first and last name he would be referred to as "Lord Jones". He is not a peer and does not sit in the House of Lords. This title is by courtesy and signifies only that he is the Earl's son. Courtesy titles extend to only the direct descendants. If a peer has no son and his title is to be inherited by a cousin or brother they do not have the privilege of using any lesser titles by courtesy.
Marquess:
Marquess (pronounced in English just as it is spelled rather than in French and Scottish speaking areas where it would be "marquis") is the second highest rank of nobility. Almost all Marquesses will have "of" in their title ,meaning it is territorial. Formally he would be "The Most Honorable the Marquess of Cookeville". In speaking he could be referred to as "My Lord Marquess" or "My lord". Social equals may call him "Lord Cookeville".
His wife, the Marchioness, would be "The Most Honorable the Marchioness of Cookeville". She would be referred to as "madam" or "my lady" and "Lady Cookeville". When signing her name it would simply say "(Her first name) Cookeville".
Just as the son of the earl was given a courtesy title, the marquess's oldest son would also be called by one of his father's lesser titles, more than likely that of an earl or viscount. Marquess of Cookeville who is also Viscount Tennessee would allow his son use of the title "Lord Tennessee". His younger son would be "The Lord (first name) (surname)". He would be the first to use his father's surname and would be called "Lord (surname)" in speaking.
Duke:
A Duke is the highest form of nobility. Any higher and you get into royalty (the king/queen and his or her family). In fact, some members of the royal family are given the title as duke. Such as HRH Prince William, grandson of the Queen, is the Duke of Cambridge and his wife is the Duchess. These persons who are both royalty and hold the title of duke are few. In 1818 there were only 25 non-royal Dukes in existence between England, Ireland, and Scotland.
Like his fellow peers, a Duke is never referred to by this surname but he is the only peer (besides Baronet) who is never called "lord" something or other. He is called "Your Grace" by inferiors and may be referred to as "Duke" by his equals. "My Lord Duke" is also acceptable and would be used on letters addressed to him. The title of duke is territorial and therefor always "Duke OF Something".
His Grace The Duke of Hometown would sign his name simply as "Hometown" but very few would call him that unless instructed to by the duke himself.
The Duchess, "Her Grace the Duchess of Hometown", would be addressed as "Madam" or "Your Grace" by anyone who is not a peer and then "Duchess" by her equals. Like Marquess, she would sign her name "Katherine Hometown" but is never called by her husband's surname.
Most dukes will hold at least one secondary title if not many. Duke of Hometown may also be Marquess of Far Away and his oldest son would be called "Lord Far Away". The Duke's younger son is formally "The Lord (first name) (Surname)". He will be the first of the duke's family to use his father's last name and will be addressed as "Lord Surname".
Congratulations! You've made it!
You have now made it through the list of noble titles during the Regency! I hope you enjoyed it and found any information you were looking for! I have compiled this list to the best of my knowledge and am always excited to get new info! If you see something you don't think is right, please let me know. I've left some references at the bottom that you might also like to check out! They helped me a lot when I was first starting my Regency study! Thank you all for reading!
For more posts in my Regency Blog Series check out:
Links/References:
http://laura.chinet.com/html/titles12.html
https://www.kristenkoster.com/a-primer-on-regency-peerage-and-precedence/
IF YOU ENJOYED THIS, PLEASE CHECK OUT MY LATEST HISTORICAL ROMANCE NOVEL, WYNTHALL MANOR