Courtesy Title

A courtesy title is a title that is not a substantive title but rather is used through custom or courtesy by the heirs apparent of noblemen in the human Kingdoms. If a peer of one of the top ranks (a duke, marquess, Count or earl) has more than one title, his eldest son, not himself an actual peer, may use one of his father's lesser titles 'by courtesy'. However, the father continues to be the substantive holder of the peerage title and the son using the peerage by courtesy legally remains a commoner unless issued a writ of acceleration. If the eldest son of one of these top ranks also has an heir, he may use a still lower title if one exists. For example, the eldest son of the Duke of Newcastle uses his father's lesser title, the Earl of Sutton. A courtesy title does not automatically grant its holder a seat in the house of lords, though the heirs apparent of many noblemen are sometimes called upon to sit in the house of lords when said noblemen are unable to do so. This is done via a writ of acceleration.

Choosing a Courtesy Title
The actual courtesy title which is used is a matter of family tradition. For instance, the eldest son of the Duke of Dawnshire  was styled Lord Eastvale for more than 150 years, even though the Duke was also the Earl of White Harbor, a title which outranks the Barony. Similarly, the Earl of Blackwood's heir apparent is styled Baron "Surname" of Blackwood, even though the Earl also holds the title Viscount of Westbank, which outranks the Barony. In this case, because the heir apparent is a nephew and not a son, the Earl has chosen the lesser title.

If a peer of the rank of Earl or above does not have any subsidiary titles of a name different from his main title, his eldest son usually uses an invented courtesy title of "Lord Surname". For instance, the eldest son of the Earl of Whitecrown in the Arathi Highlands was styled Lord Maclear, even though the Earl had no barony of that name.