Is It Legal to Call Yourself Lord or Lady in the UK?

The words “Lord” and “Lady” can arise in several different contexts in the UK. They may refer to a peerage, a courtesy style, a judicial or ecclesiastical office, ownership of an original lordship of the manor, an assumed name, or a privately granted modern Style-Title. The legal and social effect depends on which of those situations applies.

Use must match the basis for the style

A person should not use wording that falsely implies a peerage, Crown honour, public office, proprietary lordship or official recognition they do not possess. Section 2 of the Fraud Act 2006 addresses dishonest false representations made with an intention to gain or cause loss. Even where criminal fraud is not in issue, misleading statements can cause contractual, advertising and reputational problems.

That is why MANORIAL HOUSE does not suggest that its Holder is a peer, noble, government-recognised office-holder or owner of the original historic lordship.

How a MANORIAL HOUSE Style-Title may be used

Subject to the governing documents, a Holder may use the defined Style-Title for personal, commemorative and heritage-related purposes. A formulation such as “Sam Smith, Lord of Tretire” makes the personal name and territorial style visible together. It should not be shortened or presented in a way that implies a peerage or ownership beyond the private product.

• Use the full personal name with the defined Style-Title where clarity matters.

• Do not claim to own the original lordship, manor house, land or manorial rights.

• Do not represent the style as a peerage, nobility, Crown dignity or public appointment.

• Do not use it to obtain credit, status, access or preferential treatment through deception.

• Respect the rights and identity of the historic place, its residents and landowners.

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Passports, banks and third-party records

A private deed does not compel a bank, airline, employer, professional body or government department to record a style. Each organisation applies its own rules and may require different evidence or decline the request.

HM Passport Office publishes detailed operational guidance about titles and passport observations. The treatment of an original manorial lordship, an assumed name and a private Style-Title should not be presumed to be the same. MANORIAL HOUSE therefore does not guarantee that its Style-Titles will be entered on passports, driving licences, banking systems or other third-party records.

The practical answer

The question is not simply whether somebody may type “Lord” or “Lady” into a form. The responsible question is whether their use accurately reflects the basis on which the style is held and whether the surrounding presentation could mislead another person. Transparency is safer than relying on the broad proposition that people may call themselves whatever they choose.

Sources and further reading

• Fraud Act 2006, section 2 — https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2006/35/section/2

• HM Passport Office, Titles guidance — https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/titles-included-in-passports/titles-accessible

• HM Land Registry, Practice Guide 22: Manors — https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/manors/practice-guide-22-manors

• The National Archives, Manors and manorial records — https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/help-with-your-research/research-guides/manors/

• The National Archives, Manorial Documents Register guide — https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/help-with-your-research/research-guides/manorial-documents-lordships-how-to-use-manorial-document-register/

This article provides general historical and product information. It is not legal advice. The rights, obligations and limitations applying to an individual MANORIAL HOUSE Style-Title are defined by the relevant customer information, order terms and executed deed.