Sir is a formal honorific address in English for men, derived from Sire in the High Middle Ages . Both are derived from the old French " Sieur " (Lord), brought to England by the French-speaking Normans, and which now exist in French only as part of " Monsieur ", with the equivalent "My Lord" in English.
52-575: Emily Cecilia Drumm MNZM (born 15 September 1974) is a New Zealand former cricketer who played as a right-handed batter and could bowl both right-arm medium and right-arm leg break . She appeared in 5 Test matches and 101 One Day Internationals for New Zealand between 1992 and 2006. She played domestic cricket for Auckland , Northern Districts and Kent . Drumm captained New Zealand in 41 women's one-day internationals , winning 28 of them, losing 12 and with one no result. She captained New Zealand to their greatest ODI success - winning
104-588: A dukedom , marquessate or earldom , his eldest legitimate son (if he is the heir to a dukedom or marquessate with additional subsidiary peerages), and for the legitimate male issue of a duke or a marquess, who are styled 'Lord' followed by their first name. For instance, diplomat Lord Nicholas Gordon-Lennox , KCMG, KCVO, who was a younger son of the Duke of Richmond , continued to be styled as 'Lord Nicholas' following his knighthood in 1986, not 'Lord Sir Nicholas'. Other male heirs of an earl who lack courtesy titles , and
156-416: A Dame Grand Companion, formally receiving investiture in 2024 from Prince William . Sir Traditionally, as governed by law and custom, Sir is used for men who are knights and belong to certain orders of chivalry , as well as later applied to baronets and other offices. As the female equivalent for knighthood is damehood, the suo jure female equivalent term is typically Dame . The wife of
208-470: A Knight Grand Companion himself) restored the honours to their pre-April 2000 state. Principal Companions and Distinguished Companions (85 people in total) were given the option to convert their awards into Knighthoods or Damehoods. The restoration was welcomed by Monarchy New Zealand . The option has been taken up by 72 of those affected, including rugby great Colin Meads . Former Labour MP Margaret Shields
260-473: A Knight or Dame Companion, and thus not to accept the respective appellation of "Sir" or "Dame". The majority of those affected chose the aforereferenced appellations. After initially declining redesignation in 2009, Vincent O'Sullivan and Sam Neill accepted the change in December 2021 and June 2022, respectively. A change to non-titular honours was a recommendation contained within the original report of
312-425: A knight or baronet tends to be addressed as Lady , although a few exceptions and interchanges of these uses exist. Additionally, since the late modern period , Sir has been used as a respectful way to address a man of superior social status or military rank . Equivalent terms of address for women are Madam (shortened to Ma'am), in addition to social honorifics such as Mrs , Ms , or Miss . Sir derives from
364-685: A radio commentator. Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit The New Zealand Order of Merit is an order of merit in the New Zealand royal honours system . It was established by royal warrant on 30 May 1996 by Elizabeth II , Queen of New Zealand , "for those persons who in any field of endeavour, have rendered meritorious service to the Crown and nation or who have become distinguished by their eminence, talents, contributions or other merits", to recognise outstanding service to
416-599: A title rather than 'hey' or 'oi, you' or whatever", and dismissed the male/female issue as "just the way the English language works". In the Southern United States , the term 'sir' is often used to address someone in a position of authority or respect, and is commonly used in schools and universities by students to address their teachers and professors. Whereas the British and Commonwealth female equivalent
468-445: A variant of sire , which was already used in English since at least c. 1205 (after 139 years of Norman rule) as a title placed before a name and denoting knighthood, and to address the (male) Sovereign since c. 1225 , with additional general senses of 'father, male parent' is from c. 1250 , and 'important elderly man' from 1362. The prefix is used with the holder's given name or full name, but never with
520-668: Is Miss , students will often refer to female teachers as Ma'am . In the Northeast United States , particularly New England , there remains influence of both the British and French traditions as noted above; in general parlance, teachers, authority-figures, and so forth, are referred to by a title of respect such as 'Sir' for males and 'Miss', ' Ms ', or 'Mrs' for females: 'Miss' for unmarried, younger females; 'Ms' for senior, elder, or ranking females that may or may not be married; and 'Mrs' for married or widowed females. If not specifically using their rank or title, 'sir'
572-668: Is also a Secretary and Registrar (the Clerk of the Executive Council) and a Herald (the New Zealand Herald of Arms) of the Order. There also exist miniatures and lapel badges of the five levels of the New Zealand Order of Merit. Knight/Dames Grand Companion and Knight/Dames Companion are entitled to use the style Sir for males and Dame for females. The order's statutes grant heraldic privileges to members of
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#1732797919721624-523: Is ridiculous: it doesn't match 'Sir' at all. It's just one of the names you can call an unmarried woman", and that "It's a depressing example of how women are given low status and men, no matter how young or new in the job they are, are given high status". This view is not unchallenged, however. The chief executive of the Brook Learning Trust, Debbie Coslett, said "... they call me 'Miss', I'm fine with that. They're showing respect by giving me
676-787: Is used in the United States Armed Forces to address a male commissioned officer. Lower-ranking and non-commissioned officers , such as corporals or sergeants, are addressed using their ranks, though in some of the branches (to be precise, in the Air Force, Marine Corps and Coast Guard), "sir" can also be used to address a drill instructor although he is an NCO. In the British Armed Forces , male commissioned officers and warrant officers are addressed as 'sir' by all ranks junior to them, male warrant officers are addressed as Mr by commissioned officers. In
728-586: The 2000 Women's Cricket World Cup in 2000/2001. Drumm's 815 runs at Bert Sutcliffe Oval , Lincoln is the second-highest amount of runs on a single ground in Women's ODI history. Drumm holds the record for the highest individual score in Women's Test cricket history when batting at number 5 position or lower (161 * ). In the 2006 New Year Honours , Drumm was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit , for services to women's cricket. Following her playing career, Drumm worked for Canon and has also been
780-669: The ACT New Zealand party deriding the PCNZM's initials as standing for "a Politically Correct New Zealand that used to be a Monarchy". The issue of titular honours would appear whenever honours were mentioned. In the lead up to the 2005 general election , Leader of the Opposition Don Brash suggested that should a National-led government be elected, he would reverse Labour's changes and re-introduce knighthoods. In 2009, Prime Minister John Key (later to become
832-717: The Dominion of India became a modern republic in the Commonwealth of Nations in 1950, followed by Islamic Republic of Pakistan in 1956. The Order of the Star of India became dormant in the Commonwealth realms from February 2009, and the Order of the Indian Empire after August 2010, when the last knights of the orders died. In Nigeria , holders of religious honours like the Knighthood of St. Gregory make use of
884-680: The Kingdom of Ireland , Knights of the Order of St. Patrick were entitled to the style of 'Sir'. Regular creation of new knights of the order ended in 1921 upon the formation of the Irish Free State . With the death of the last knight in 1974, the Order became dormant. As a privilege of the members of the Order of the Knights of Rizal ( Orden de Caballeros de Rizál ), the prefix "Sir" is attached to their forenames while wives of Knights add
936-476: The Order of Barbados . This practice has now been discontinued, though individuals who received a knighthood or damehood when the country was still a Commonwealth realm may continue to use the titles "Sir" and "Dame" within their lifetimes. As part of the consolidation of the crown colony of India , the Order of the Star of India was established in 1861 to reward prominent British and Indian civil servants, military officers and prominent Indians associated with
988-703: The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), only commissioned officers are addressed as 'sir'; NCOs and constables are addressed by their rank. Male British police officers of the rank of Inspector or above are addressed as 'Sir' (women of inspecting rank are called Ma'am). In the Hong Kong Police Force , male superiors are respectfully known by their surname followed by 'sir'. For example, Inspector Wong would be addressed or referred to as 'Wong-sir'. Male police officers are sometimes known colloquially as "Ah-sir" (阿Sir) to
1040-399: The 16th century. The practice may have been an attempt to reinforce the authority of teachers from lower social classes among classes of largely upper class students. Jennifer Coates, emeritus professor of English language and linguistics at Roehampton University , has criticised the use of the title for male teachers, saying that " 'Sir' is a knight. There weren't women knights, but 'Miss'
1092-595: The 1990s. Since then, though former imperial honours are still awarded by certain Commonwealth realms, many of them have discontinued grants of British honours as they have developed their own honours systems, some of which include knighthoods. Today, British honours are only substantive for British nationals so recognised, including dual nationals, and for nationals of those realms which have retained them as part of their honours systems. Dual national recipients of British knighthoods who hold British citizenship, such as academic and immunologist Sir John Bell , are entitled to
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#17327979197211144-649: The 1995 honours committee ( The New Zealand Royal Honours System: The Report of the Prime Minister’s Honours Advisory Committee ) which prompted the creation of the New Zealand Order of Merit. Titular honours were incorporated into the new system before its implementation in 1996 after the National Party caucus and public debate were split as to whether titles should be retained. There has long been debate in New Zealand regarding
1196-711: The British Empire (KBE), an imperial honour, as the Bahamas did not have its own honours system at the time. Although Poitier, as a Bahamian citizen by descent, was eligible for a substantive ('ordinary') award of the KBE, the Bahamian government preferred the knighthood to be honorary as Poitier was permanently residing in the United States. Knighthoods in the gift of the government of a Commonwealth realm only permit
1248-539: The Crown and people of New Zealand in a civil or military capacity. In the order of precedence , the New Zealand Order of Merit ranks immediately after the Order of New Zealand . Prior to 1996, New Zealanders received appointments to various British orders, such as the Order of the Bath , the Order of St Michael and St George , the Order of the British Empire , and the Order of the Companions of Honour , as well as
1300-453: The Indian Empire. The Order of the Indian Empire was established in 1878 as a junior-level order to accompany the Order of the Star of India, and to recognise long service. From 1861 to 1866, the Order of the Star of India had a single class of Knights (KSI), who were entitled to the style of 'Sir'. In 1866, the order was reclassified into three divisions: Knights Grand Commander (GCSI), Knights Commander (KCSI) and Companions (CSI); holders of
1352-728: The Thistle and the knighthoods in the Royal Victorian Order) – are recognised across the Commonwealth realms, along with their accompanying styles. British knighthoods (in the Orders of the Bath, St. Michael and St. George, and in the Order of the British Empire, along with Knights Bachelor) were known as imperial honours during the existence of the British Empire . Those honours continued to be conferred as substantive, not honorary, awards by most Commonwealth realms into
1404-529: The UK. The equivalent for a female who holds a knighthood or baronetcy in her own right is ' Dame ', and follows the same usage customs as 'Sir'. Although this form was previously also used for the wives of knights and baronets, it is now customary to refer to them as 'Lady', followed by their surname; they are never addressed using their full names. For example, while Lady Fiennes is correct, Lady Virginia and Lady Virginia Fiennes are not. The widows of knights retain
1456-492: The appropriateness of titles. Some feel it is no longer appropriate as New Zealand has not been a colony since 1907, and to these people titles are out of step with present-day New Zealand. Others feel that titles carry both domestic and international recognition, and that awarded on the basis of merit they remain an appropriate recognition of excellence. In April 2000 the then new Labour Prime Minister, Helen Clark , announced that knighthoods and damehoods had been abolished and
1508-608: The awarding orders of knighthood to bishops and Grand Masters . Their precedence is as follows: For Example, Sir Burton P. C. Hall , KSS , KHS would be the correct style for lay knights. Lieutenants of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre , are styled as "Your Excellency", such as H.E. Dame Trudy Comeau, DC*HS . Catholic clergy who are invested as Knight Chaplains may use post-nominal letters, but must retain their clerical titles, like Rev. Robert Skeris , KCHS . Knights and Dames of papal orders are not allowed to use
1560-412: The bearer to use his style within that country or as its official representative, provided he is a national of that country; knighthoods granted by other realms may be considered foreign honours. For instance, Anthony Bailey was reprimanded by Buckingham Palace and the British government in 2016 for asserting that an honorary Antiguan knighthood (which was revoked in 2017) allowed him the style of 'Sir' in
1612-531: The distinction of Knight Bachelor . The change came about after the Prime Minister's Honours Advisory Committee (1995) was created "to consider and present options and suggestions on the structure of a New Zealand Royal Honours System in New Zealand, which is designed to recognise meritorious service, gallantry and bravery and long service". The monarch of New Zealand is the Sovereign of the order and
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1664-603: The first and second level, who are entitled to have the Order's circlet ("a green circle, edged gold, and inscribed with the Motto of the Order in gold") surrounding their shield. Grand Companions are also entitled to heraldic supporters . The Chancellor is entitled to supporters and a representation of the Collar of the Order around his/her shield. The following contains the names of the small number of living Distinguished Companions (DCNZM) who chose not to convert their appointment to
1716-445: The five levels, there are three different types of membership. Ordinary membership is limited to citizens of New Zealand or a Commonwealth realm . "Additional" members, appointed on special occasions, are not counted in the numerical limits. People who are not citizens of a Commonwealth realm are given "Honorary" membership; if they subsequently adopt citizenship of a Commonwealth realm they are eligible for Additional membership. There
1768-508: The governor-general is its Chancellor. Appointments are made at five levels: From 2000 to 2009, the two highest levels of the Order were Principal Companion (PCNZM) and Distinguished Companion (DCNZM), without the appellation of "Sir" or "Dame". The number of Knights and Dames Grand Companion (and Principal Companions) is limited to 30 living people. Additionally, new appointments are limited to 15 Knights or Dames Companion, 40 Companions, 80 Officers and 140 Members per year. As well as
1820-473: The highest and lowest dignities being universal, a king was recognized as king everywhere, and also a knight: "though a Knight receive his Dignity of a Foreign Prince, he is so to be stiled in all Legal Proceedings within England .. and Knights in all Foreign Countries have ever place and precedency according to their Seniority of being Knighted" Established in 1783 and primarily awarded to men associated with
1872-529: The honorific title sire ; sire developed alongside the word seigneur , also used to refer to a feudal lord. Both derived from the Vulgar Latin senior , sire comes from the nominative case declension senior and seigneur , the accusative case declension seniōrem . The form 'Sir' is first documented in English in 1297, as the title of honour of a knight, and latterly a baronet , being
1924-411: The male heirs of a viscount or baron, do however use the style of 'Sir' if knighted, the style following that of ' The Hon ', for example The Honourable Sir Charles Algernon Parsons , OM, KCB, FRS. 'Sir', along with 'Miss' for women, is commonly used in the British school system to address teachers and other members of staff. Usage of these terms is considered a mark of respect, and can be dated back to
1976-477: The ministry, added the style of The Reverend to his secular honorific of Sir , thus becoming the Revd. Sir Nicholas Beatson-Bell KCSI, KCIE. Clergy of other denominations may use different conventions. Peers who have been knighted are neither styled as 'Sir' nor addressed as such in the formal sense of the style, as their titles of nobility take precedence. The same principle applies for the male heir apparent to
2028-535: The notable members of the Knights of Rizal include King Juan Carlos I of Spain who was conferred a Knight Grand Cross of Rizal on 11 February 1998. In the case of a military officer who is also a knight, the appropriate form of address puts the professional military rank first, then the correct manner of address for the individual, then his name. Examples include: This is also the case with academic ranks and titles, such as ' Professor '. For example, Patrick Bateson
2080-593: The order's statutes amended. From 2000 to 2009, the two highest levels of the Order were Principal Companion (PCNZM) and Distinguished Companion (DCNZM), without the appellation of "Sir" or "Dame"; appointment to all levels of the Order were recognised solely by the use of post-nominal letters. A National Business Review poll in February 2000 revealed that 54% of New Zealanders thought the titles should be scrapped. The Labour Government's April 2000 changes were criticised by opposition parties, with Richard Prebble of
2132-661: The prefix "Lady" to their first names. These apply to both spoken and written forms of address. The Knights of Rizal is the sole order of knighthood in the Philippines and a constituted Order of Merit recognized by the Orders, decorations, and medals of the Philippines . The prefix is appended with the relevant post-nominal according to their rank at the end of their names: Knight of Rizal (KR), Knight Officer of Rizal (KOR), Knight Commander of Rizal (KCR), Knight Grand Officer of Rizal (KGOR) and Knight Grand Cross of Rizal (KGCR). Among
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2184-457: The prefix "Sir" nor do they receive an accolade ; instead they use the associated post-nominal letters . Only citizens of Commonwealth realms may receive substantive knighthoods and have the privilege of the accompanying style. In general, only knighthoods in dynastic orders – those orders in the personal gift of the Sovereign and Head of the Commonwealth (the Order of the Garter, the Order of
2236-560: The prefix "Sir" or "Dame" in the United Kingdom, although they may use post-nominal letters. Not allowing the prefix is because the use of foreign titles is not permitted by the British Crown without a Royal Licence, and as a matter of policy (currently based on a Royal Warrant of 27 April 1932), a Royal Licence to bear any foreign title is never granted. On the other hand, allowing the post-nominal letters would be explained by
2288-468: The style of Sir as their knighthoods are substantive. This may not necessarily be the case for dual nationals who are not British citizens and who instead hold citizenship of another Commonwealth realm. In 1974, Lynden Pindling , the Prime Minister of the Bahamas , recommended dual Bahamian-American citizen Sidney Poitier for an honorary knighthood as an honorary Knight Commander of the Order of
2340-480: The style of wives of knights, however widows of baronets are either referred to as 'dowager', or use their forename before their courtesy style. For example, the widow of Sir Thomas Herbert Cochrane Troubridge, 4th Baronet , would either be known as Dowager Lady Troubridge or Laura, Lady Troubridge . Prior to becoming a republic in November 2021, Barbados awarded the title Knight or Dame of St. Andrew within
2392-467: The surname alone. For example, whilst Sir Alexander and Sir Alexander Fleming would be correct, Sir Fleming would not. Today, in the UK and in certain Commonwealth realms , a number of men are entitled to the prefix of 'Sir', including knights bachelor , knights of the orders of chivalry and baronets ; although foreign nationals can be awarded honorary knighthoods. Honorary knights do not bear
2444-552: The title 'Sir', but instead refer to their knighthood using post-nominal letters. For example, the Reverend John Polkinghorne , KBE would never be referred to as Sir John Polkinghorne . If however an Anglican clergyman inherits a baronetcy or was knighted before his ordination, he will retain his style and title. For instance, Sir Nicholas Beatson-Bell KCSI , KCIE , who was a knighted Indian Civil Service officer and imperial administrator before entering
2496-628: The upper two degrees could use the title 'Sir'. From its creation in 1878 until 1887, the Order of the Indian Empire had a single class, Companion (CIE), which did not entitle the recipient to a style of knighthood. In 1887, two higher divisions, Knight Grand Commander (GCIE) and Knight Commander (KCIE) were created, which entitled holders of those ranks to the style of 'Sir'. The last creations of knights of either order were made on 15 August 1947 upon Indian independence. All British honours and their accompanying styles were officially made obsolete in India when
2548-466: The wider public. The term 'Sir' is also used frequently in the customer service industry, by employees to refer to customers, and sometimes vice versa. In the United States, it is much more common in certain areas (even when addressing male peers or men considerably younger). For example, a 1980 study showed that 80% of service interactions in the South were accompanied by 'Sir' or Ma'am , in comparison to
2600-559: The word as a pre-nominal honorific in much the same way as it is used for secular purposes in Britain and the Philippines. Wives of such individuals also typically assume the title of Lady. Knights and Dames of papal orders may elect the "Sir" or "Dame" prefix with post-nominal letters, subject to the laws and conventions of the country they are in. The Pope , the sovereign of the Catholic Church and Vatican City , delegates
2652-476: Was both a professor and a knight bachelor; his correct title would be Professor Sir Patrick Bateson. However, the title of ' Doctor ' (Dr.) is not used in combination with 'Sir', with the knighthood taking precedence. Knighted doctors are addressed as knights, though they may still use any post-nominal letters associated with their degrees. Church of England clergy who receive knighthoods following their ordination do not receive an accolade and therefore do not use
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#17327979197212704-761: Was one of those who accepted a Damehood, despite receiving a letter from former Prime Minister Helen Clark "setting out why Labour had abolished the titles and saying she hoped she would not accept one". Clark's senior deputy, Michael Cullen , also accepted a knighthood. Appointments continued when Labour returned to government in 2017 as the Sixth Labour Government . The 2018 New Year Honours included seven knights and dames. The government did not comment on its position regarding knighthoods and damehoods, but Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern did specifically congratulate two women on becoming Dames Companion. On leaving office in 2023, Ardern accepted appointment as
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