Marquess

A marquess (UK: /ˈmɑːrkwɪs/;[1] French: marquis [maʁki])[2][a] is a nobleman of high hereditary rank in various European peerages and in those of some of their former colonies.

The word marquess entered the English language from the Old French marchis ("ruler of a border area") in the late 13th or early 14th century.

The distinction between governors of frontier territories and interior territories was made as early as the founding of the Roman Empire when some provinces were set aside for administration by the senate and more unpacified or vulnerable provinces were administered by the emperor.

The titles "duke" and "count" were similarly distinguished as ranks in the Byzantine Empire, with dux (literally, "leader") being used for a provincial military governor and the rank of comes (literally "companion", that is, of the Emperor) given to the leader of an active army along the frontier.

The honorific prefix "The Most Honourable" precedes the name of a marquess or marchioness of the United Kingdom.

As a result of this, a marquess was trusted to defend and fortify against potentially hostile neighbours and was thus more important and ranked higher than a count.