Under this denomination are comprehended all above the rank of yeomen; wherefore 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 honeste loco natus.—The same signification has the Italian gentilhuomo, and the Spanish hidalgo, or hijo delgo, that is, the son of somebody, or 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 Topic, "Gentiles sunt, qui inter se eodem sunt nomine, ab ingenuis oriundi, quorum majorum nemo servitutem servivit, qui capite non sunt diminuit," &c.

—Some Gentleman.—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 gentiles, and the other scutarii; and that it was hence we derive the names gentleman and esquire.

See Esquire.—This sentiment is confirmed by Palaire, who supposes the appellation gentiles and ecuyers to have been transmitted to us from the Roman soldiery; it being to the gentiles and scutarii, who were the bravest of the soldiery, that the principal benefices and portions of lands were assigned. See Benefice.

—The Gauls observing, that during the empire of the Romans, the scutarii and gentiles had the best tenements or appointments of all the soldiers on the frontiers of the provinces, became insensibly accustomed to apply the same names, gentillommes 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 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 serjeant, a yeoman, and groom of the vestry; the first attends the dean and subdean, 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.