A formal title at the beginning or end of your name opens doors and grants the kind of prestige associated with royalty. Despite mistrust or misperception among some countries toward this centuries-old tradition, conferring titles in recognition of various achievements continues throughout the world .

While it may seem as though titles are handed out left and right, the truth is that the few avenues by which one may acquire a formal title are extremely difficult to navigate. Certain public offices, generally those gained via public election, come with their own titles. In the U.S., the top law enforcement officer in a county becomes a sheriff, while members of congress and some U.S. mayors can assume the title The Most Honorable. Yet, by far, the largest set of formal titles are of the honorary variety, conferred by governments and heads of state. Since they tend to reward greater achievements, they are also held with higher regard.

More than a few internet sites offer allegedly formal and legitimate titles for sale. For fees ranging from a few hundred dollars to more than a few thousand, you and your girl can get a his ‘n’ hers dukedom in England along with a token piece of land. Not surprisingly, this is nothing shy of a complete scam and ought to come with a “for entertainment purposes only” tag.

Here are more legitimate ways to get a title attached to your name.

British honours system

The British honours system is among the oldest and most well-known in world, and its numerous titles rank among the most coveted. The system serves as a means for the United Kingdom to acknowledge and reward a wide range of services and achievements that honor Britain. In handing out honors, decorations and medals, it features 10 official orders of chivalry, along with a selection of other honors, including the knight bachelor and the peerage system.

The honorees may be nominated by anyone. When assessing the candidates, the selection committee considers the extent of the candidate’s general influence, and the significance or impact he or she has had on their chosen profession. Once selected, the lists of honorees are announced on two occasions throughout the year: first at the New Year, and then in mid-June on the Queen’s birthday.

These honors are sometimes, though rarely, granted to foreigners. Contrary to popular opinion, there is nothing to prevent American citizens from accepting such an honor. However, according to Article I, Section 9 of the U.S. Constitution, federal officials must have permission from congress to accept the honor. A similar situation exists in the Republic of Ireland, where nationals need government approval.

Knight bachelor

The so-called ”dignity” of knight bachelor is a part of the British honours system. However, this honor refers to a man who has been knighted by the crown, but is not a member of one of the organized orders of chivalry. It is generally awarded for public service, and while there are no post-nominal letters for the knight bachelor, those who are also British citizens may use ”sir” before their name.

High-profile holders: Anthony Hopkins, Michael Caine, Roger Moore

Baron

The hereditary peerage system in England — the system of noble titles, a part of the honours system but not one of its orders — goes back almost 1,000 years and features some of the most well-known titles in the western world (in descending order of importance): duke, marquis, earl, viscount, and baron. As predominantly hereditary titles, they are by and large beyond the possession of ordinary commoners; the sole exception is baron.

To that end, in 1958, the British monarchy created the nonhereditary life peerage system. It allows the reigning monarch, acting upon the advice of the prime minister of the day, to elevate virtually any deserving person to the rank of baron by means of a so-called letter patent: a legal means by which a government or monarch grants some official status to an individual or entity. While baron is always the nominated title, technically there is nothing preventing a letter patent from granting a higher rank.

Elevated as such means that your title would be The Baron [surname], and you could go by Lord [surname]. Your children, however, would be considered hereditary barons, and could title themselves The Right Honorable the Lord [surname]. Becoming a baron this way grants automatic membership to the House of Lords.

High-profile holders: Margaret Thatcher

Most Excellent Order of the British Empire

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is not something out of Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure; rather it is one of the 10 British Orders of Chivalry. The various members of this order constitute the most well-known of the orders, but it’s hardly the most privileged in the United Kingdom. That honor goes to Scotland’s Order of the Thistle, surely among the world’s most exclusive of such orders: Its membership roster peaks at 16.

The Order of the British Empire, originally established in 1917 by King George V to acknowledge service to the commonwealth during the First World War, now recognizes service and achievement in a broad number of fields. It features five levels of acknowledgment: knight grand cross, knight commander, commander, officer, and member.

Membership to this order numbers well into the thousands and is the largest of its kind in Britain, but it has the fewest members at the rank of knighthood. Those lucky few at that level are entitled to put ”sir” before their names, but only if they are also British nationals. The remaining members may put at the end of their names the so-called post-nominal letters that follow each title.

Knight grand cross of the British Empire

“A pre-eminent and sustained contribution in the arts, science, medicine, or government.”

High-profile holders: Caspar Weinberger and an assortment of kings, princes, earls, war heroes, and Rothschilds.

Knight commander of the British Empire

“A pre-eminent contribution in any field, usually, but not exclusively at national level, or in a capacity which will be recognized by peer groups as inspirational and significant nationally, and which demonstrates sustained commitment.”

High-profile holders: Bono, Bill Gates, Rudy Giuliani, Elton John

Commander of the British Empire

“A prominent national role of a lesser degree, or a conspicuous leading role in regional affairs or making a highly distinguished, innovative contribution in his or her area of activity.”

High-profile holders: Sting, Sam Mendes, Eric Clapton

Officer of the British Empire

“A distinguished regional or country-wide role in any field, including notable practitioners known nationally.”

High-profile holders: David Beckham, JK Rowling

Member of the British Empire

“Service in and to the community of a responsible kind which is outstanding in its field; or very local ‘hands-on’ service which stands out as an example to others. In both cases awards illuminate areas of dedicated service which merit public recognition.”

High-profile holders: Joe Calzaghe, Steven Gerrard, The Corrs

in the u.s.

Honorary titles in the U.S. are scant and possess virtually none of the international panache found in titles elsewhere.

Nebraska admiral

Formally known as the admiral in the great navy of the state of Nebraska, to be named a Nebraska admiral, an individual doesn’t even need to know how to swim. Since 1931, the governor of this landlocked state has bestowed the honorary title on those people deemed to have done something notable in the service of the state. Although the title requires nothing of the honoree and earns no pay, around closing time at an Omaha bar, it might get him laid.

High-profile holders: Bill Murray, Queen Elizabeth II

Kentucky colonel

The title Kentucky colonel first came into use in 1813, and early holders actually did serve in the military. In time, however, it became much like the Nebraska admiralty: Bestowed by the governor, it requires nothing of the honoree and earns no pay, but one does get membership in the Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels, a nonprofit organization that makes charitable grants.

High-profile holders: Johnny Depp, Hunter S. Thompson

get titled

There might not be a royal road to learning, but there is a road to most formal titles, and it is paved by imperial decree. In that light, the informal title of esquire or gentleman is available right now to any American male. Long believed to be exclusive to attorneys, in the U.S. the title has no official body or system governing its use. Considering how hard it is to get any other title, this may be the best you’ll ever do.

Resources:
http://en.wikipedia.org

article from askmen.com