earl

In the British peerage, the third title in order of rank, coming between marquess and viscount; it is the oldest of British titles, deriving from the Anglo-Saxon post of ealdorman. For some time earls were called counts, and their wives are still called countesses.

Earldoms first became hereditary during the Norman period, and the title of earl was the highest hereditary dignity until the reign of Edward III, who created his eldest son duke of Cornwall in 1337. The eldest son of an earl bears the title ‘viscount’, younger sons are styled ‘Honourable’, and daughters are styled ‘Lady’.