Under this denomination are comprehended all above the rank of yeomen*, whereby noblemen are truly called gentlemen.

A gentleman is usually defined to be one, who, without any title, bears a coat of arms, or whose ancestors have been freemen: and by the coat that a gentleman giveth, he is known to be, or not to be, descended from those of his name that lived many hundreds of years since.

The word is formed of the French gentilhomme; or rather of gentil, "fine, fashionable, or becoming;" and the Saxon man, q.d. honestus, or honesto loco natus.—The same signification has the Italian gentiluomo, and the Spanish hidalgó, or hijo dalgo, that is, the son of somebody, or of a person of note.—If we go farther back, we shall find gentleman originally derived from the Latin gentilis homo; which was used among the Romans for a race of noble persons of the same name, born of free or ingenuous parents, and whose ancestors had never been slaves, or put to death by law. Thus Cicero in his Topics, "Gentiles sunt, qui inter se eodem sunt nuncios, ab ingenuis oriundis, quorum majorum nemo servitutem servavit, qui capite non sunt diminuti," &c.

Some hold that it was formed from gentile, i.e. pagan; and that the ancient Franks, who conquered Gaul, which was then converted to Christianity, were called gentiles by the natives, as being yet heathens.—Others relate, that towards the declension of the Roman empire, as recorded by Ammianus Marcellinus, there were two companies of brave soldiers, the one called gentilium, and the other feutariorum; and that it was hence we derive the names gentleman and esquire. See Esquire.—This sentiment is confirmed by Pagi, who supposes the appellation gentiles and ecuyers to have been transmitted to us from the Roman feldery; it being to the gentiles and feutaris, who were the bravest of the feldery, that the principal benefices and portions of lands were assigned. See Benefice.—The Gauls observing, that during the empire of the Romans, the feutaris and gentiles had the best tenements or appointments of all the soldiers on the frontiers of the provinces, became infiniby accustomed to apply the same names, gentilhommes and ecuyers, to such as they found their kings gave the best provisions or appointments to.

Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod. See Rod.

Gentlemen of the Chapel; officers whose duty and attendance is in the royal chapel, being in number 32. Twelve of them are priests; the other 20, commonly called clerks of the chapel, assist in the performance of divine service. One of the first 12 is chosen for confessor of the household; whose office is to read prayers every morning to the household servants, to visit the sick, examine and prepare communicants, and administer Gentoo, after the sacrament. One of 20 clerks, well versed in music, is chosen first organist, who is master of the children, to instruct them in music, and whatever else is necessary for the service of the chapel; a second is likewise an organist; a third a lutanist; and a fourth a violist. There are likewise three vergers, so called from the silver rods they carry in their hands; being a sergeant, a yeoman, and groom of the vestry: the first attends the dean and sub-dean, and finds furnaces and other necessaries for the chapel; the second has the whole care of the chapel, keeps the pews, and seats the nobility and gentry; the groom has his attendance within the chapel-door, and looks after it.