Question:
What does the title "Esquire" mean?
i.e. John W. Smith, Esq.
Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:
Esquire (abbreviated Esq.) was a title of dignity ranked below a knight and above a gentleman, allowed, for example, to the sons of the nobles and the gentry who did not possess any other title. It ultimately derived from the medieval term squire. On this basis, a gentleman was designated Mr ('mister' before his name), whereas an Esquire was designated 'Esq.' (without a nominal prefix) after his name.
In the United States, there are neither native titled gentry nor nobility as it is not allowed by the US Constitution "No Title of Nobility shall be granted by the United States: And no Person holding any Office of Profit or Trust under them, shall, without the Consent of the Congress, accept of any present, Emolument, Office, or Title, of any kind whatever, from any King, Prince or foreign State."
The suffix "Esq." has no legal meaning (except in some states), and may, in theory, be given to anyone (usually a man). In practice, it is applied primarily to lawyers (of both sexes in the United States only). While it is a title of respect and should not be assumed by a person (just as Mr. should not be assumed), a minority of lawyers are using the title in place of J.D. on their business cards and stationery.
So, in short, it means they are a lawyer.