How to Become a Baronet

In recent years, there has been an increased interest in noble titles and aristocratic ranks. Popular culture and celebrity lifestyles have led to more and more people becoming fascinated with the ancient social orders of nobility that evolved during the Middle Ages. 

The aristocratic ranks that have endured to modern times are rare gems of history, made even more exclusive by the limited availability of new titles, and the restrictions around acquiring or inheriting existing titles. This value and exclusivity have made it more appealing than ever to attain these priceless emblems of social elevation. One of the titles that has become particularly popular in modern culture is the ancient title of Baronet. 

How To Become A Baronet

If you’re curious about this historic title, and how you might become an official Baronet or Baronetess yourself, this short guide will reveal the possibility and opportunities for acquiring such an esteemed rank. 

Hereditary Baronets

Many Baronet titles are hereditary titles. This means that they can be passed down to future generations. Traditionally, this line of inheritance ran from father to eldest son, however, there have been changes to legislation in recent times which may allow for other relatives to claim a line of succession. 

This is the typical way to become a legitimate baronet; inherit the title. Given that there are over a thousand baronet titles still in existence, it’s possible that those with the right lineage may be in line to inherit a baronetcy. For those who don’t have a family connection to a baronetcy, this route is not an option. 

Baronet Honors

Although the creation of new baronet titles has become increasingly rare in modern times, there are occasions when a new baronetcy is created in honor of a lifetime’s work. 

A recent example of this route is the Thatcher Baronetcy. This was awarded to Denis Thatcher by the Queen of Great Britain, Elizabeth II, in 1990. It was created and granted in recognition of Denis Thatcher’s many years of devoted service to the common good.

Denis Thatcher at 10 Downing Street in London – Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Unusually, this honorable recognition was granted as a hereditary title, meaning that it could be passed on to future generations, in the same way the ancient baronetcies have succeeded over the centuries. 

Baronetcy Marriages

Another possible route to becoming a Baronet or Baronetess is the classic option that has enabled, and ennobled, many socially ambitious families: marriage. Although marriage to a Baronet does not grant the wife her own official title of Baronetess (she is usually styled as Lady), it does mean that her children may be in line to inherit the father’s title. 

In the case of a man marrying a woman who is a legitimate Baronetess in her own right, he would not himself become a Baronet, but again, his children may be candidates to inherit the baronetcy, although there are some additional regulations about the male line of succession. 

In this way, marriage is a possible route for acquiring a baronet title for future generations, and it’s a practice that has been a core feature of the aristocratic and royal circles for hundreds of years. 

Extinct vs Extant Baronet Titles

Given that the vast majority of baronet titles have restrictions around the line of succession, there are often occasions when no rightful heirs to the title can be found. In such cases, the title may become extinct. This means that the baronetcy in question is no longer listed as a legitimate title. It’s unlikely to be offered again, especially beyond the royal family, and is classified as an extinct title. 

On the other hand, extant baronet titles are those that are still held by a rightful heir or recipient. Extant means that they are still in use, i.e. the opposite of extinct. The number of extant baronet titles has decreased over the last few decades, numbering at about 1200 official baronetcies still in use today. 

Are Baronet Titles Still For Sale? 

Even though the history of the baronet title is a story of commercial enterprise, the current extant baronetcies are not permitted to be bought and sold on the open market. This explains why the number of genuine baronet titles is decreasing – as lines of succession become extinct, the titles revert to the Crown and are unlikely to be re-issued beyond the royal family. 

Even if baronet titles were once again made available, perhaps as honorary gestures, it’s highly unlikely that these would be offered for sale like so many of the original baronetcies from the time of King James I. Unlike medieval monarchs, modern royal families would likely face substantial criticism if they attempted such an overtly commercial venture. It would also devalue the ancient and historical titles that have survived over many centuries along the traditional aristocratic lines of succession.  

The good news is that other types of noble titles are available for purchase. Beyond the current collection of baronetcies, which are largely British in origin, other titles of aristocratic rank do occasionally become available to purchase. Many of these are of a higher social rank than a Baronet, and even more rare, exclusive and valuable. 

Titles such as Duke, Count, Viscount, Baron and Lord do sometimes become available to those with access to the appropriate social circles and research methods. The female equivalents of these titles can also become available for purchase, meaning it’s possible to become a legitimate Duchess, Countess, Viscountess, Baroness or Lady. On rare occasions, even royal titles such as Prince and Princess can become available, though understandably, these are incredibly limited in supply and access. 

Historic Noble Titles In The Modern World

The titles of Baronet and Baronetess, like all of the noble ranks that have endured over the centuries, tell the story of the aristocracy through the ages. The appeal of these exclusive social orders may have varied as cultural approaches to class systems have shifted, yet they remain hugely popular in contemporary society. It seems the combination of exclusivity and tradition make for a captivating status that continues to intrigue and delight people from all backgrounds, all over the world.

If learning about this unusual noble rank has made you curious about acquiring a prestigious Noble Title of your own get in touch using the enquiry form in the sidebar or you can contact our Geneva office directly between 10.00-19.00, Monday to Friday on +41 225 181 360.