baronet

A baronet isn't quite a baron, but it is a hereditary British title above a knight and below a baron. It was created by the crown, and early baronetcies were originally used to raise royal funds, so people could, in effect, buy the dignity in the 17th century. Baronets are addressed as "Sir," part of the hereditary upper gentry rather than the peerage. You often see them in historical novels or dramas where family status and inherited estates matter.

The term "baronet" refers to a hereditary title ranking below a baron but above a knight in the British honours system. Created by King James I in 1611, baronetcies were initially a fundraising invention of the crown, with many of the first grants effectively sold.

Unlike peers, baronets are not members of the hereditary peerage and do not automatically get a seat in the House of Lords. They are still entitled to the title "Sir" before their forename, while their wives are traditionally styled as "Lady [Surname]." Succession is usually by male primogeniture, most often to the eldest son, though the exact terms depend on the letters patent for each creation.

Historically, some baronets also had large estates and considerable local influence, which is why the title appears so often in British period drama. New creations are rare today, but existing baronets remain a recognized part of the United Kingdom’s traditional honour system.