Viscount vs. Lord — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Maham Liaqat — Updated on March 18, 2024
A viscount is a specific rank in the British peerage system just below an earl, while "lord" is a general title used for various ranks within the nobility.
Difference Between Viscount and Lord
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Key Differences
A viscount is a noble rank in the British aristocracy, positioned between an earl and a baron, indicating a specific level of nobility, whereas the term "lord" is more versatile, used as a courtesy title for marquesses, earls, viscounts, barons, and sometimes even baronets and knights in the UK.
Viscounts often have historical land holdings and responsibilities tied to their title, reflecting their role in the feudal system, while "lord" can refer to both hereditary peers and life peers in the House of Lords, encompassing a wider range of duties and privileges.
The title of viscount is hereditary, passed down through family lines, signifying a specific lineage and heritage, whereas "lord" can also be a lifetime appointment, not necessarily tied to lineage, especially in the case of life peers who are appointed for their lifetime only.
In terms of precedence and protocol, a viscount is below an earl and above a baron in the British peerage, indicating a specific place in the hierarchical structure, while the title "lord" can be held by individuals at various levels within this hierarchy, making its position more variable.
The use of "viscount" is more restricted and well-defined within the nobility, reflecting a particular rank and its associated rights and responsibilities, whereas "lord" is a more encompassing term that can apply to a broader range of titles and positions within the British peerage.
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Comparison Chart
Rank in Peerage
Specific rank between earl and baron
General title for marquesses, earls, viscounts, barons, and sometimes others
Hereditary
Yes, typically hereditary
Can be hereditary or a lifetime appointment
Precedence
Below an earl, above a baron
Varies widely depending on specific title
Title Usage
Specific and restricted
Broad and versatile
Associated Responsibilities
Historically tied to land and feudal duties
Can range from legislative roles in the House of Lords to ceremonial duties
Compare with Definitions
Viscount
A noble rank in the British peerage system, below an earl and above a baron.
The Viscount of Althorp inherited his title from his father.
Lord
A general title for male members of the British nobility, including various ranks.
Lord Smith, though a baron, is commonly addressed simply as Lord.
Viscount
A title held by a member of the aristocracy with specific hereditary rights.
The family's viscountcy has been passed down through generations.
Lord
A courtesy title for younger sons of dukes and marquesses.
The younger son of the Duke was known as Lord John Doe.
Viscount
A position associated with historical landholdings and feudal responsibilities.
As a viscount, he had jurisdiction over certain territories in medieval England.
Lord
A title associated with both hereditary peers and lifetime appointments.
Lords of the realm gathered for the Queen's speech.
Viscount
A title often involved in legislative duties within the House of Lords.
The Viscount spoke passionately in the House of Lords about environmental issues.
Lord
A term used for life peers appointed to the House of Lords.
The Prime Minister nominated him as a Lord for his contributions to science.
Viscount
A rank with specific precedence in the order of British nobility.
At official ceremonies, the viscount's position is recognized just below that of an earl.
Lord
A title encompassing a wide range of duties and privileges in the UK.
As a Lord, he was involved in various charitable and public service activities.
Viscount
A viscount ( (listen) VY-kownt, for male) or viscountess (, for female) is a title used in certain European countries for a noble of varying status. In many countries a viscount, and its historical equivalents, was a non-hereditary, administrative or judicial position, and did not develop into an hereditary title until much later.
Lord
Lord is an appellation for a person or deity who has authority, control, or power over others, acting as a master, a chief, or a ruler. The appellation can also denote certain persons who hold a title of the peerage in the United Kingdom, or are entitled to courtesy titles.
Viscount
A nobleman ranking below an earl or count and above a baron.
Lord
A king.
Viscount
Used as a title for such a nobleman.
Lord
A territorial magnate.
Viscount
A member of the peerage, above a baron but below a count or earl.
Lord
The proprietor of a manor.
Viscount
(entomology) Any of various nymphalid butterflies of the genus Tanaecia. Other butterflies in this genus are called earls and counts.
Lord
Lords The House of Lords.
Viscount
An officer who formerly supplied the place of the count, or earl; the sheriff of the county.
Lord
Used as a form of address for a marquis, an earl, or a viscount.
Viscount
(in various countries) a son or younger brother or a count
Lord
Used as the usual style for a baron.
Viscount
A British peer who ranks below an earl and above a baron
Lord
Used as a courtesy title for a younger son of a duke or marquis.
Lord
Used as a title for certain high officials and dignitaries
Lord Chamberlain.
The Lord Mayor of London.
Lord
Used as a title for a bishop.
Lord
God.
Lord
(Christianity) Jesus.
Lord
A man of renowned power or authority.
Lord
A man who has mastery in a given field or activity.
Lord
(Archaic) The male head of a household.
Lord
(Archaic) A husband.
Lord
To insist upon or boast about so as to act in a domineering or superior manner
"He had lorded over her his self-proclaimed spiritual and poetic superiority" (David Leavitt).
Lord
To act in a domineering or superior manner
An upperclassman lording over the younger students.
Lord
To have a prominent or dominating position
The castle lords over the valley.
Lord
To rule over
Lorded over a vast empire.
Lord
(obsolete) The master of the servants of a household; (historical) the master of a feudal manor
Lord
(archaic) The male head of a household, a father or husband.
Lord
(archaic) The owner of a house, piece of land, or other possession
Lord
One possessing similar mastery over others; (historical) any feudal superior generally; any nobleman or aristocrat; any chief, prince, or sovereign ruler; in Scotland, a male member of the lowest rank of nobility (the equivalent rank in England is baron)
Lord
(historical) A feudal tenant holding his manor directly of the king
Lord
A peer of the realm, particularly a temporal one
Lord
A baron or lesser nobleman, as opposed to greater ones
Lord
One possessing similar mastery in figurative senses (esp. as lord of ~)
Lord
A magnate of a trade or profession.
Lord
(astrology) The heavenly body considered to possess a dominant influence over an event, time, etc.
Lord
A hunchback.
Lord
Sixpence.
Lord
Domineer or act like a lord.
Lord
(transitive) To invest with the dignity, power, and privileges of a lord; to grant the title of lord.
Lord
A hump-backed person; - so called sportively.
Lord
One who has power and authority; a master; a ruler; a governor; a prince; a proprietor, as of a manor.
But now I was the lordOf this fair mansion.
Man over menHe made not lord.
Lord
A titled nobleman., whether a peer of the realm or not; a bishop, as a member of the House of Lords; by courtesy; the son of a duke or marquis, or the eldest son of an earl; in a restricted sense, a baron, as opposed to noblemen of higher rank.
Lord
A title bestowed on the persons above named; and also, for honor, on certain official persons; as, lord advocate, lord chamberlain, lord chancellor, lord chief justice, etc.
Lord
A husband.
Thou worthy lordOf that unworthy wife that greeteth thee.
Lord
One of whom a fee or estate is held; the male owner of feudal land; as, the lord of the soil; the lord of the manor.
Lord
The Supreme Being; Jehovah.
Lord
The Savior; Jesus Christ.
Lord
To invest with the dignity, power, and privileges of a lord.
Lord
To rule or preside over as a lord.
Lord
To play the lord; to domineer; to rule with arbitrary or despotic sway; - sometimes with over; and sometimes with it in the manner of a transitive verb; as, rich students lording it over their classmates.
The whiles she lordeth in licentious bliss.
I see them lording it in London streets.
And lorded over them whom now they serve.
Lord
Terms referring to the Judeo-Christian God
Lord
A person who has general authority over others
Lord
A titled peer of the realm
Lord
Make a lord of someone
Common Curiosities
Are all lords hereditary peers?
Not all lords are hereditary peers; the title "lord" can also apply to life peers, who are appointed for their lifetime and cannot pass their titles to their descendants.
Do viscounts still have specific responsibilities today?
While viscounts historically had specific feudal responsibilities, today their roles are more likely to be ceremonial or involve participation in the House of Lords if they are hereditary peers.
What is the main difference between a viscount and a lord?
The main difference is that a viscount is a specific rank in the British peerage, while "lord" is a more general title that can apply to various ranks within the nobility.
Can a viscount also be called a lord?
Yes, a viscount can be referred to as "Lord" followed by their territorial designation, as "lord" is a courtesy title used for most ranks of the peerage, including viscounts.
Has the role of viscounts in the House of Lords changed over time?
Yes, the role and influence of viscounts, like other hereditary peers, have evolved, especially with reforms to the House of Lords that have reduced the number of hereditary peers with automatic rights to sit in the House.
How is the title of "lord" used in legal documents?
In legal documents, the full title of the individual is used, which could include "Lord" as part of the title, especially for life peers and hereditary peers in the House of Lords.
Can a woman hold the title of viscount or lord?
Women can hold the equivalent title of "viscountess" if they inherit it or are married to a viscount. Female life peers are also commonly referred to as "lady" rather than "lord."
How does one become a viscount?
Traditionally, becoming a viscount involves inheriting the title from a direct ancestor who was also a viscount. However, new viscounts can be created by the monarch.
Is the title of viscount common outside of the UK?
While the title of viscount exists in other European countries with a history of nobility, its use and significance can vary widely from that in the UK.
Are new viscountcies still being created today?
New viscountcies are rarely created in the modern UK peerage system, with life peerages being more common for new appointments to the House of Lords.
Do viscounts have a specific coat of arms?
Yes, viscounts typically have a coat of arms that is hereditary and specific to their family lineage, often incorporating symbolic elements of their history and duties.
Can the title of "lord" be applied to officials in other contexts, such as city mayors?
Yes, in some parts of the UK and Commonwealth, the title "lord" is used as an honorific for certain civic positions, such as "Lord Mayor."
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
