Baronet is the British hereditary rank of honour. It was first created by James I in the year 1611, to amass funds supposedly for support of troops in Ulster. The "baronet" is neither an order for knighthood nor is it a part of the peerage. In hierarchy, the baronet ranks below a baron but above all knights with the exception of the Knight of the Garter.
A baronet (female equivalent, a baronetess), is awarded its title "the baronetcy" by the British crown. Baronets make use of the title Sir" before their name. Though a knighthood is applied to an individual only, a baronetcy is hereditary. The eldest son of a baronet who is born through wedlock is entitled to the right of baronetcy upon the death of his father. However he is not officially recognized as a baronet until his name is on the Roll. Wives of baronets are not baronetesses. Women holding baronetcies in their own right in their own right are baronetesses. Baronetesses in their own right are called "dames" and wives of baronets use the title "Lady."
A baronet (female equivalent, a baronetess), is awarded its title "the baronetcy" by the British crown. Baronets make use of the title Sir" before their name. Though a knighthood is applied to an individual only, a baronetcy is hereditary. The eldest son of a baronet who is born through wedlock is entitled to the right of baronetcy upon the death of his father. However he is not officially recognized as a baronet until his name is on the Roll. Wives of baronets are not baronetesses. Women holding baronetcies in their own right in their own right are baronetesses. Baronetesses in their own right are called "dames" and wives of baronets use the title "Lady."
