Kibbey Wagner Injury & Car Accident Lawyers | February 14, 2025 | Personal Injury

What Does “Esquire” Mean?

You’ve probably seen “Esquire” or “Esq.” after a lawyer’s name but never really thought about what it meant. It’s a word that appears on business cards, legal documents, email signatures, and law firm letterheads. However, as with the abbreviations that come after a doctor’s name or the certifications listed on a professional license, many people can’t accurately define “esquire.”

The Definition of “Esquire”

In America, “esquire” has become specifically tied to the legal profession, though that’s not how it started out. The title is applied to someone who is licensed to practice law. But if you asked someone from the United Kingdom for an “esquire” definition, you might get a different answer — in the U.K., the term is used as a general courtesy title.

What Is the Origin of “Esquire”?

The first appearance of the word in print was in 1475; it was used to describe a man who served a knight as a shield bearer. The term comes from the Latin “scutarius,” which means shield-bearer. In medieval England, these esquires were apprentice knights who helped prepare knights for battle.

How the “Esquire” Meaning Evolved Across Regions

In England, they kept the term “esquire” as a general courtesy title. But the word evolved differently in other parts of the world. In colonial America, “esquire” was originally associated with a social standing among merchants and landowners. However, by the 1800s, some regions developed distinct legal traditions around its use. 

How Women Adopted The Title

The original Latin term “scutarius” was exclusively masculine. However, as women began to enter the legal profession, there were some attempts to create feminine versions. Documents from 1596 and 1630 show terms like “esquiresse.” None of the variations lasted or became standard practice.

Instead, the term followed the path of many legal and professional titles. Instead of creating a feminine version, the profession simply adopted the original term as gender-neutral. Today, any attorney, regardless of gender, can use “Esq.” after their name when they’re licensed to practice law.

The title transformed differently across regions in America. “Esquire” became common in some areas, but many Southern and Southwestern lawyers traditionally preferred simpler titles like “attorney-at-law” or “attorney.” This regional variation shows that the term’s adoption wasn’t uniform across American legal practice.

Unlike many legal traditions, no law or official regulation ever reserved this title exclusively for lawyers. Instead, its association with the legal profession emerged through common usage and professional association. Technically, it remains an unofficial designation without legal protection.

What Do You Need To Do To Become An Esquire?

A person looking to become an esquire needs to do the following:

  • Graduate from an accredited law school
  • Pass the state’s bar exam (in Stuart, that would be the Florida Bar)
  • Maintain good standing with the state bar
  • Actually practice law, not just have a law degree

When you see “Esq.” after someone’s name in Stuart, Florida, it means they’ve completed this entire process. 

There are practical benefits of using “esquire,” especially in areas like personal injury law or car accident cases. When lawyers append “Esq.” to their signatures, it’s an indication that they are acting in their professional capacity. 

For instance, when an attorney signs a demand letter to a manufacturer about a defective appliance that injured their client, adding “Esq.” is clear communication that they are now acting in their official capacity as legal counsel.

Common Misconceptions About “Esquire”

Even people working in legal fields sometimes get a few things wrong when answering the question, “What does esquire mean?” 

A few of these misjudgments include:

  • Thinking it’s required (it’s completely optional)
  • Assuming “Esq.” shows seniority (any new lawyer can use it)
  • Believing it comes with the Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree (you need bar admission as well)
  • Thinking it’s only for men (it’s gender-neutral)

Confusion around its use is not surprising since there’s little to no formal training about professional titles. Such knowledge is usually passed down through professional practice.

Ethical Considerations When Using “Esquire”

The ethical use of “esquire” is tied to honesty and clear communication. Licensed attorneys can use “Esq.” even outside of legal work, but they should avoid misleading others about their role. Ethics boards warn against non-lawyers using the title, as it could deceive the public about someone’s legal credentials. 

How Is the Use of “Esquire” Changing?

Venue and context largely influence the use of titles. For instance, traditional court filings will often lean toward “attorney-at-law,” while corporate legal departments have moved away from formal titles in internal communications. Therefore, legal practitioners need to know the preferred culture of an institution to streamline their communication style. 

The Impact of Digital Evolution

Digital transformation has reshaped how legal credentials are displayed. Younger attorneys often prefer direct identification of their bar status and practice areas, such as workplace accident or wrongful death attorney. Additionally, modern law firm websites and legal tech platforms often emphasize experience and case results instead of traditional honor titles.

Preference for Mass Appeal Titles

The preferred titles an organization chooses are part of its branding. Just as legal firms take their time to find the right logo, color scheme, and brand positioning, they need to ensure that the titles they choose appeal to their clientele. When it comes to “esquire,” public opinion is divided — some see it as a mark of esteem, and others find it pretentious and outdated. 

Modern legal teams, especially in the technology and startup sectors, have largely moved away from formal title conventions, prioritizing clear communication of qualifications and experience. In today’s world, there’s a huge variation in how professional authority is established and maintained in different industries.

The title “esquire” is a shorthand way of saying that a person has met the professional standards to practice law. As language grows and culture evolves, many labels emerge while others lose their meaning. There’s no telling whether “Esq.” will grow in relevance or get washed out. Today, it still has its place in distinguishing qualified legal professionals.

Contact Kibbey Wagner Injury & Car Accident Lawyers For Help Today

For more information, please contact the Stuart, Port St. Lucie, or Palm Beach Gardens personal injury law firm of Kibbey Wagner Injury & Car Accident Lawyers to schedule a free consultation today.

We proudly serve Martin County,  St. Lucie County, Palm Beach County, and its surrounding areas in Florida:

Kibbey Wagner Injury & Car Accident Lawyers Stuart
73 SW Flagler Ave
Stuart, FL 34994
(772) 444-7000

Kibbey Wagner Injury & Car Accident Lawyers Port St. Lucie
1100 SW St. Lucie West Blvd. Ste 202
Port St Lucie, FL 34986
(772) 247-3374

Kibbey Wagner Injury & Car Accident Lawyers Palm Beach Gardens
300 Avenue of the Champions Ste 220
Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33418
(561) 944-4000