united-kingdom name-title
Buying of a noble title
<p>I recently came across some sites that let you purchase a noble title like: Lord, Lady, Duke, Duchess, Marquis, Count,...</p>

<p>How can they sell such titles (they used to be given by the King/Queen of England)?
Are these titles legitimate? And how do they work?</p>

<p><a href="https://elite-titles.myshopify.com/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Elite-titles</a> and
<a href="https://www.scottishlands.com/benefits.php" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Scottishlands</a> are examples of sites selling titles.</p>

<p>Very simply, they aren't selling genuine titles. There are two limited exceptions:</p>

<p>Note that there is considerable difference between Scottish and English law in this area. </p>

<blockquote>
  <p>You cannot purchase a genuine British title, with one exception, the
  <strong>feudal title of a Scottish baron</strong>; and certainly cannot buy a peerage
  title. Scottish Feudal Baronies fetch a mighty price; the Barony of
  MacDonald was up for sale at over £1 million.</p>
</blockquote>

<p>Richard, 7th Earl of Bradford, at <a href="http://www.faketitles.com/" rel="noreferrer">http://www.faketitles.com/</a></p>

<p>For Scottish feudal baronies, </p>

<blockquote>
  <p>For centuries baronies conferred important commercial benefits and
  legal privileges, but they are now personal titles with no powers or
  responsibilities. Holders are able to sell, gift or bequeath them, as
  ‘incorporeal’ property separate from the ownership of land, and there
  is a small but active market for them.</p>
</blockquote>

<p><a href="https://www.lindsays.co.uk/services/for-you-and-your-family/scottish-barony-titles" rel="noreferrer">https://www.lindsays.co.uk/services/for-you-and-your-family/scottish-barony-titles</a></p>

<blockquote>
  <p>We generally estimate legal fees between £2,000 -£3,000 for the
  acquisition of a barony and £3,000 -£4,000 for an earldom.  <strong>The barony
  itself will cost in the region of £75,000 or more</strong> in the case
  ofalordship, earldomor marquisate.</p>
</blockquote>

<p><a href="https://www.lindsays.co.uk/assets/downloads/Buying-a-Scottish-Barony-Title.pdf" rel="noreferrer">https://www.lindsays.co.uk/assets/downloads/Buying-a-Scottish-Barony-Title.pdf</a></p>

<p>In England, </p>

<blockquote>
  <p>it is possible you can purchase a Lordship of the Manor, <strong>which does
  not give you a title</strong>, but enables  you to put after your name, Lord of
  the Manor of Lower Piddling-in-the-Trough or some  such place.</p>
</blockquote>

<p>Richard, 7th Earl of Bradford, at <a href="http://www.faketitles.com/" rel="noreferrer">http://www.faketitles.com/</a></p>

<blockquote>
  <p><strong>When I acquire a barony title what will my name be?</strong></p>
  
  <p>Let us assume that your name is John Smith and that you have acquired
  the Barony of Strathglen. You can then style yourself John Smith,
  Baron of Strathglen. But note, neither Baron Strathglen nor Baron
  Smith of Strathglen because both of these would indicate a peerage
  title and barony titles are feudal titles.</p>
</blockquote>

<p><a href="https://baronytitles.com/frequently-asked-questions/" rel="noreferrer">https://baronytitles.com/frequently-asked-questions/</a></p>
