> as lemmas

a. Following the surname preceded by the Christian name. In formal documents written in full; elsewhere commonly abbreviated Esq. or Esqr. (In ceremonious use, e.g. in legal writings or in genealogy, when the name of the person's estate or of his place of residence is given, the title is, by English custom, placed last, as ‘A.B., of C., Esquire’; in Scotland, on the contrary, the title immediately follows the surname. Similarly, in England the title ‘esquire’ traditionally follows the designation ‘Junior’ or ‘The Younger’, but in Scotland precedes it.)The designation of ‘esquire’ is now commonly understood to be due by courtesy to all persons (not in clerical orders or having any higher title of rank) who are regarded as ‘gentlemen’ by birth, position, or education. It is used only on occasions of more or less ceremonious mention, and in the addresses of letters, etc.; on other occasions the prefix ‘Mr.’ is employed instead. When ‘esquire’ is appended to a name, no prefixed title (such as ‘Mr.,’ ‘Doctor,’ ‘Captain,’ etc.) is used. In the U.S. the title belongs officially to lawyers and public officers.