squire

Where does the word "squire" come from? It comes from Late Latin scutarius, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

Squire’s story begins in Late Latin: scutarius meant “shield-bearer.” From 'scutum', a long shield, the same root as 'escutcheon'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as esquier. A young man training for knighthood by serving a knight. It reached English by 1300s as squire. Later the chief landowner of an English village; 'esquire' survives as a courtesy title. Today, squire means a young nobleman who served a knight; a country landowner.

1. Stage 1 · Late Latin · ancient scutarius "shield-bearer", from 'scutum', a long shield, the same root as 'escutcheon'.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval esquier "knight's attendant", a young man training for knighthood by serving a knight.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1300s squire "knight's attendant; country gentleman", later the chief landowner of an English village; 'esquire' survives as a courtesy title.