What does the word Esquire mean?
The word “Esquire” is a fall back to the days of social class. It was originally the feudal rank below knight, but the sense broadened in the 16 century to be a general title of courtesy or respect for the educated classes. Even later it became used in association with lawyers (probably trying to give their profession a veneer of respectability) . Nowadays you would more likely see it in its abbreviated form ‘Esq.’. Here it is used as an honorific, especially after the name of an attorney or a consular officer: Jane Doe, Esq.; John Doe, Esq.
