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  1. Earl - Wikipedia

    An earl has the title Earl of [X] when the title originates from a placename, or Earl [X] when the title comes from a surname. In either case, he is referred to as Lord [X], and his wife as Lady [X].

  2. Earl | British Nobility, Titles & Ranks | Britannica

    Earl is the oldest title and rank of English nobles, and it was also the highest, until 1337, when Edward the Black Prince was created duke of Cornwall by Edward III.

  3. What's the Difference Between a Duke and an Earl?

    Britain's peerage system, which dates to Anglo-Saxon times, consists of five ranks: duke, marquess, earl, viscount and baron, according to Debrett's, a leading source of information on the British …

  4. What is an Earl? - Lordship Titles

    The word "earl" comes from the Old English word "eorl," which means "warrior" or "nobleman." Earls typically hold land known as an earldom, but they may also hold other titles, such as baron or viscount.

  5. What Did an English Earl Actually Do? - History Facts

    Jul 24, 2024 · Known as the peerage system, this noble hierarchy consists of five ranks today: duke, marquess, earl, viscount, and baron. The title of earl — the oldest in the peerage system — dates …

  6. EARL Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

    The meaning of EARL is a member of the British peerage ranking below a marquess and above a viscount.

  7. EARL | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary

    EARL definition: 1. (the title of) a British man of high social rank, between a marquis and a viscount: 2. (the…. Learn more.

  8. earl, n. meanings, etymology and more | Oxford English Dictionary

    When a duke or a marquess has an earldom as his second title, this is ‘by courtesy’ given to his eldest son: thus the heir of the Duke of Northumberland is Earl Percy while that of the Marquess of …

  9. Meaning, origin and history of the name Earl - Behind the Name

    Dec 1, 2024 · From the aristocratic title, which derives from Old English eorl "nobleman, warrior". It has been used as a given name since the 19th century.

  10. EARL definition in American English | Collins English Dictionary

    Earl in American English (ɜːrl) noun a male given name: from the old English word meaning “ noble ”