There are no Counts in the peerage, this being a continental European title. The British equivalent is Earl, ranking below Marquess and above Viscount. The wife of an Earl is known as a Countess though, just to confuse matters!
A Duke is the highest rank in the British Peerage. See the related question link below.
The Baron is the lowest male in the British peerage.
Baron It should be noted also that: In Scotland, a Baron is called a Lord of Parliament There are five categories of British peerage and they have a hierarchy themselves: 1. Peerage of England 2. Peerage of Scotland 3. Peerage of Ireland 4. Peerage of Great Britain 5. Peerage of United Kingdom Also peerages are ranked based on creation date. Therefore a Baron of the United Kingdom is a lower grade than a Baron of England, and the lower of two Baronies of the United Kingdom would be the one created most recently. Hope that edit helps! TomPC
KNIGHT. Baronet carries the honorific:SIR, which is deemed hereditary, and is the lowest rank of the peerage. (Strictly speaking, BARON is the lowest rank of the peerage, since they carry the honorific: LORD and can sit in the House of Lords, but Baronets cannot). Knight carries the honorific: SIR, but is held by the recipient only. His wife is termed: LADY.
From highest rank to lowest rank: # Duke # Marquess # Earl # Viscount # Baron The are ranks of Gentry that include Knight and Baronet, but they are not considered "Peerage", therefore, not nobility under British law.
traditionally a Duke is ranked just below a king or queen, it is the highest peerage in the UK, that's why prince phillip is a Duke
A baroness is a female member of the nobility in the British peerage system. The title is typically conferred as a rank of nobility and can be hereditary or life peerage. In formal address, a baroness is referred to as "Lady" followed by her surname. In conversation, she can simply be called "Baroness" followed by her title or name.
The Complete Peerage was created in 1887.
Burke's Peerage was created in 1826.
Hereditary Peerage Association was created in 2002.
Nobility (meaning high status or rank): Peerage, Quality, Society, Royalty. Nobility (meaning the quality of being noble): Dignity, Majesty, Quality.
peerage