Question about Thomas Lee Esq.

Question

What does the term esq. mean exactly?

Answer 1

It means "esquire".  In some cultures and time periods, it can signify "gentleman" or "minor nobility".

Answer 2

"Esquire" is a social rank above gentleman and below knight. The term has the same root as "equestrian", "equerry", etc; esquires were, in the Middle Ages, men-at-arms (who fought on horseback in full plate armour), who *might* become knights through valour or service. The title in the Middle Ages usually indicates possession of sufficient estates and income to support at least one mounted man-at-arms plus retinue.

Answer 3

In this case, the term is wrongly used and should be deleted. If he was SIR Thomas, a knight, that title supersedes "esquire".

Comments

Can't find anything that says he was a knight so it could be the Sir that is wrong. ( Couldn't find much at all other than pedigrees including Burke. I did find  an IPM for a Richard Blyke in 1491 who  held land   in Nordley from  Thomas Lee of Coton http://www.british-history.ac.uk/inquis-post-mortem/series2-vol1/pp295-312  If that was him he wasn't a knight then but if it may not be the same Thomas unless  he was born some years before 1582 )

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Wouldn't be surprised. Something there isn't quite right.