Meaning and Origin
What does the name Sir mean? Keep reading to find the user submitted meanings, dictionary definitions, and more.
Origin and Meaning of Sir
User Submitted Origins
English
50%
African American
36%
Hebrew
7%
African
4%
Latin
4%
User Submitted Meanings
- A user from Ohio, U.S. says the name Sir is of English origin and means "Man of social dignity and authority".
- According to a user from Canada, the name Sir means "Polite name for a man".
- A submission from Ohio, U.S. says the name Sir means "Authority" and is of African origin.
- A submission from Massachusetts, U.S. says the name Sir means "Illuminati".
International Interest
Also see international interest
Webster's Unabridged Dictionary
noun Sir
Senses
- A man of social authority and dignity; a lord; a master; a gentleman; -- in this sense usually spelled sire.(Obs)"He was crowned lord and sire." [Gower.]"In the election of a sir so rare." [Shak.]
- A title prefixed to the Christian name of a knight or a baronet." Sir Horace Vere, his brother, was the principal in the active part." [Bacon.]
- An English rendering of the LAtin Dominus, the academical title of a bachelor of arts; -- formerly colloquially, and sometimes contemptuously, applied to the clergy."Instead of a faithful and painful teacher, they hire a Sir John, which hath better skill in playing at tables, or in keeping of a garden, than in God's word." [Latimer.]
- A respectful title, used in addressing a man, without being prefixed to his name; -- used especially in speaking to elders or superiors; sometimes, also, used in the way of emphatic formality."What's that to you, sir?" [Sheridan.]
Note: ☞ Anciently, this title, was often used when a person was addressed as a man holding a certain office, or following a certain business. “ Sir man of law.” “ Sir parish priest.”
Etymology: OE. sire, F. sire, contr. from the nominative L. senior an elder, elderly person, compar. of senex,senis, an aged person; akin to Gr. ��� old, Skr. sana, Goth. sineigs old, sinista eldest, Ir. & Gael. sean old, W. hen. Cf. Seignior Senate Seneschal Senior Senor Signor Sire Sirrah
Other Dictionary Sources
- Term of address for a man
- A title used before the name of knight or baronet
Wiktionary
- Alternative letter-case form of sir.
- (Britain) The titular prefix given to a knight or baronet.