Etymology Map
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Squire

3 stages from Late Latin to English.

Today it means a young nobleman who served a knight; a country landowner

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

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

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.