a British peer ranking below a marquess and above a viscount
"The newly appointed earl attended the coronation ceremony alongside other high-ranking nobles."
A British or Irish nobleman next in rank above a viscount and below a marquess; equivalent to a European count. A female using the style is termed a countess.
"The new earl attended the royal banquet, seated just below the marquess but above the visiting viscounts."
In plain English: An earl is an old-fashioned British title for someone who owns land and has high social status, similar to a count or duke but lower than them.
"The British royal family recently met with Lord Grey, an old friend and earl from Yorkshire."
Usage: Use this title only when referring to male noblemen who hold ranks between viscounts and marquesses, as it specifically denotes British or Irish peerage rather than general county officials. Remember that while "earl" refers to the person, their territorial designation (e.g., Earl of Derby) identifies their specific domain.
The title of an earl.
"The Duke of Lancaster was visited by his brother, the Earl of Derby."
The word "earl" comes from Old English eorl, which originally meant a nobleman or warrior. It is related to the Old Norse word jarl but has no connection to the term "ealdorman."