(from the French esquier, and the Latin scutum, in Greek σκυτος, which signifies a hide, of which shields were anciently made, and afterwards covered; for, in the time of the Anglo-Saxons, the shields had a covering of leather), was originally he who, attending a knight in time of war, did carry his shield; whence he was called esquier in French, and scutifer, or armiger, i.e. armour-bearer, in Latin. Hotoman says, that those whom the French call esquires, were a military kind of vassals, having jus scuti, viz. liberty to bear a shield, and in it the ensigns of their family, in token of their gentility or dignity. But this addition hath not of long time had any relation to the office or employment of the person to whom it hath been attributed, as to carrying of arms, &c. but hath been merely a title of dignity, and next in degree to a knight. For those to whom this title is now due, see the article Commonalty. Officers of the king's courts, and of the king's household, counsellors at law, justices of the peace, are only esquires in reputation; and he who is a justice of peace has this title only during the time he is in commission, and no longer, if he is not otherwise qualified to bear it. A sheriff of a county being a superior officer, bears the title of esquire during his life; in respect of the great trust he has in the commonwealth. The chief of some ancient families are esquires by prescription; and in late acts of parliament for poll-money, many wealthy persons commonly reputed to be such, were ranked among the esquires of this kingdom.

There is a general opinion, that every gentleman of landed property who has L300 a-year, is an esquire; which is a vulgar error: for no money whatsoever, or landed property, will give a man properly this title, unless he comes within one of the above rules: and no person can aferibe this title where it is not due, unless he pleads; there being no difficulty in drawing the line by the accounts given above and in the article Commonalty: but the meaner ranks of people, who know no better, do often basely prostitute this title; and, to the great confusion of all rank and precedence, every man who makes a decent appearance, far from thinking himself any way ridiculed by finding the superscription of his letters thus decorated, is fully gratified by such an address.

Esquires of the King, are such as have that title by creation, wherein there is some formality used, as the putting about their necks a collar of SS, and bestowing on them a pair of silver spurs, &c.