Aristocrats and What to Call Them
English Titles and Addresses in Order of Precedence
Duke
Addressed as: His Grace the Duke of Tiddlywinks
You would call him: your grace or perhaps duke
For example: Your grace, you are too kind. or Duke, you are too kind. If you possessed sufficient social standing or familiarity with the duke you might be able to address the duke as Tiddlywinks as in, Another glass of port, Tiddlywinks. If this particular duke wasn't stuck up and you were on appropriate terms, you might be able to call him by his Christian name, for example, John, more port. but I'm not sure I'd dare such an intimacy.
His eldest son: Uses the courtesy title of his father's next title in rank, as for example, the marquess of Pickupsticks.
For example: John Jones, marquess of Pickupsticks, whom you would address as Lord Pickupsticks.
His younger sons: Have no courtesy title. A younger son would be Lord James Jones and would be referred to as Lord James
His daughter: would be referred to as The Right Honorable Lady Cynthia, but you would simply refer to her as lady Cynthia.
His wife: would be referred to as The Duchess of Tiddlywinks, and you would address her as your grace or Duchess.
Marquess
Addressed as: The Most Noble Marquess of Highstakes
You would call him: Lord Highstakes, my lord or perhaps your lordship, but watch out for that last one.
For example: Lord Highstakes, you are too kind. or my lord, you are too kind. If you possessed sufficient social standing or familiarity with the marquess your might be able to address him as Highstakes as in, Another glass of port, Highstakes.
His eldest son: Uses the courtesy title of his father's next title in rank, as for example, the earl of Deuces.
For example: Fred Blevins, earl of Deuces, whom you would formally address as Lord Deuces.
His younger sons: Have no courtesy title. A younger son would be Lord James Jones and would be referred to as Lord James
His daughter: as above for dukes.
His wife: would be referred to as The Marchioness of Highstakes, and you would address her as Lady Highstakes.
Earl
Addressed as: The Right Honorable Earl of Goodworks
You would call him: Lord Goodworks, my lord or perhaps your lordship.
For example: As above for Marquess. However, the letters of Horace Walpole give an intriguing glimpse into the formalities used (or not used) by an aristocrat's social peers. Some more democratic peers seem to have used their Christian names.
His eldest son: Uses the courtesy title of his father's next title in rank, as for example, the viscount Faro.
For example: as above for Marquess.
His younger sons: Have no courtesy title, and would be formally addressed as the Honorable Mr. George Splash.
His daughter: would be referred to as Lady Cynthia Splash.
His wife: would be referred to as The Countess of Goodworks, and you would address her as Lady Goodworks, my lady or Countess.
Viscount
Addressed as: The Right Honorable Viscount Hammerhead
You would call him: Lord Hammerhead, my lord or perhaps your lordship.
For example: As above for Marquess
His eldest son: Does not use a courtesy title. You would refer to him as The Honorable Mr. Fred Smathers.
His younger sons: Have no courtesy title, and would be formally addressed as the Honorable Mr. George Splash.
His daughter: would be referred to as Lady Cynthia Splash.
His wife: would be referred to and addressed as Lady Hammerhead.
Baron
Addressed as: The Right Honorable Baron Whitesocks
You would call him: Lord Whitesocks, my lord or perhaps your lordship.
For example: Lord Whitesocks, you are too kind. or My lord, you are too kind.
His eldest son: Does not use a courtesy title. You would refer to him as The Honorable Mr. Fred Smathers.
His younger sons: Have no courtesy title, and would be formally addressed as the Honorable Mr. George Splash.
His daughter: would be referred to as Lady Cynthia Splash.
His wife: would be referred to and addressed as Lady Whitesocks.