An earl has the title Earl of [X] when the title originates from a placename, or Earl [X] when the title comes from a surname. In either case, he is referred to as Lord [X], and his wife as Lady [X].

The meaning of EARL is a member of the British peerage ranking below a marquess and above a viscount.

Britain's peerage system, which dates to Anglo-Saxon times, consists of five ranks: duke, marquess, earl, viscount and baron, according to Debrett's, a leading source of information on …

EARL definition: 1. (the title of) a British man of high social rank, between a marquis and a viscount: 2. (the…. Learn more.

Earl is the oldest title and rank of English nobles, and it was also the highest, until 1337, when Edward the Black Prince was created duke of Cornwall by Edward III.

Earl definition: a British nobleman of a rank below that of marquis and above that of viscount: called count for a time after the Norman conquest. The wife of an earl is a countess.. See …

1. a British nobleman of a rank below that of marquis and above that of viscount: called count for a time after the Norman conquest. The wife of an earl is a countess

Definition of earl noun in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

Aug 30, 2025 · An Earl is a noble title within the British peerage system, signifying high rank. This designation has evolved over centuries, reflecting shifts in societal structure and the roles of …

The name "Earl" has its origins in Old English, where it was used to refer to a nobleman or a chieftain. It is derived from the Old Norse word "jarl," which also meant a noble rank or title.