GENTLEMAN (from the root of gens, a family), a designation which in its most extended sense comprehends every man (whether titled or untitled) whose condition is above that of a yeoman. In a more limited sense it denotes one without a title who bears a coat of arms, or whose ancestors have been freemen. By courtesy, however, this title is generally accorded to all persons above the rank of common tradesmen when their manners and deportment are indicative of a certain amount of refinement and intelligence. But in its best and highest sense, this word is used to denote one who not only does what is right and just, but whose conduct is regulated by a true principle of honour, which springs from that self-respect and intellectual refinement which manifest themselves in unconstrained yet delicate manners.
The word is a synonym of the French gentilhomme, with the substitution of the Saxon man for the corresponding term of the Norman French. This again is from the Latin gentilis homo, which was used by the Romans to signify one who belonged to a gens or family. The meaning of this term is explained by Cicero (Top. vi.) as follows:—Gentiles sunt, qui inter se eodem sunt nomine, ab ingenio oriundi, quorum majorum nemo scripturam scripsit, qui capite non sunt diminuti. The word gentleman, as connected with gentilis, has its equivalent in most of the languages of western Europe that are derived from the Latin. Thus in Italian it is gentiluomo; and the Spanish has gentilhombre, though the equivalent term in that language is rather hidalgo, or hijo d'algo, i.e. the son of somebody, or a person of note. Some have maintained that the word is derived from gentilis in the sense of pagan; and that the ancient Franks when they conquered Gaul, which had been converted to Christianity, were called by the natives gentiles as being yet heathens. Others state, that in the decline of the Roman empire, as recorded by Ammianus Marcellinus, there were two companies of soldiers distinguished for their valour, the gentiles and the scutarii,—and that hence we derive the terms gentleman and esquire: to which opinion Pasquier inclines, especially as it was to these brave soldiers that the principal portions of land were assigned.
GENTLEMAN-USHER to the Black Rod, an officer belonging to the Garter, and chief usher to the sovereign. It is his duty to attend the House of Peers during the sitting of parliament, to regulate the ceremonial forms of the house, and to carry messages to the Commons. He has no fixed salary, but derives his emoluments from fees regulated by the house. He has also the appointment of the doorkeepers, messengers, and other servants of the house.