The term "esquire" is often used as a courtesy title in the legal profession. In the United States and some other countries, it is commonly used to denote someone who is a lawyer. It is usually abbreviated as "Esq." following a person's name. In the UK, historically, "esquire" referred to a man of higher social status, just below a knight, but its legal usage has become more prominent in modern society.
The word "esquire" comes from the Middle English term "esquier," which is derived from the Old French "esquier," and further traced back to the Latin "scutarius," meaning "shield-bearer," which referred to a squire or young man in training for knighthood.