List of titles
This is a list of personal titles arranged in a sortable table. They can be sorted:
- Alphabetically
- By language, nation, or tradition of origin
- By function. See Separation of duties for a description of the Executive, Judicial, and Legislative functions as they are generally understood today. Titles that bestow functional authority with minimal executive, judicial, or legislative power are listed as Administrative. Titles that bestow political or spiritual authority with minimal executive, judicial, or legislative power are listed as Ceremonial.
- By manner in which the title is usually achieved. Most title-holders are Appointed to their rank by someone higher in the system or Elected by people equal in the system. Historically, many titles were achieved through Hereditary birthright. A few historical titles have been randomly Chosen By Lot or Purchased outright. For those unofficial titles granted as a sign of respect, such as Mister or Prophet, the word Identified is used here.
- By scope of authority. Especially with historical titles, this scope may have changed over time, but the most usual understanding of the title today is implied. Personal titles are not part of a governing body, and have authority only over those who individually choose to follow the title-holder. Tribal titles give the title-holder authority over a bloodline rather than a physical geography. Institutional titles are mostly confined to a specific campus, corporation, temple, or other private or semi-public institution. Divisional is applied to most military & police ranks, with the number of people under that rank's command listed when known. Local titles are those with authority in a metropolitan or similar area, such as a mayor. Provincial titles are those with authority over a constituent state, such as a United States governor. Regional titles are those with authority over multiple constituent states, such as a federal judge. Courtly titles have no sovereign power of their own but are granted high prestige by, and are possibly able to exert influence over, a head of state. Similarly, Diplomatic titles bear no sovereignty of their own, but are vested with the equivalent of sovereignty by a head of state. National titles are at the level of a head of government or head of state, with authority over a sovereign nation. Supranational titles are those with authority over multiple sovereign nations. Supernatural titles are those applied solely to deceased figures, such as saints, or to superhuman beings, such as angels and gods.
For in-depth information please follow the links to individual titles.
| Title | Origin | Function | Usual Source of Authority | Usual Breadth of Authority |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ab Actis | Belgian | Executive | Elected or Appointed | Institutional (student society) |
| Abbess or Abbot | Latin | Executive | Elected | Institutional (abbey) |
| Admiral of the Fleet | European | Executive | Appointed | Divisional (highest naval rank) |
| Agha | Kurdish, Turkish, Persian | Administrative | Identified or Appointed (Debatable) | Tribal |
| Aesymnetes | Greek | Executive | Elected | National |
| Agonothetes | Greek | Administrative | Elected | Institutional (sacred games) |
| Agoranomos | Greek | Executive | Elected | Institutional (marketplace) |
| Air Marshal | British | Administrative | Appointed | Divisional (very senior air force rank) |
| Aircraftman | British | Administrative | Appointed | Divisional (lowest air force rank) |
| Akhoond | Persian | Ceremonial | Appointed/ identified? | Institutional (mosque) |
| Alcalde | Spanish | Executive | Elected | The mayor of town/city |
| Alderman | Old English | Administrative/executive | Elected | An elected member of a city council |
| Allamah | Arabic | Ceremonial | Identified | Personal |
| Amban | Manchu | Executive/ legislative | Appointed | Provincial/ supranational |
| Amir al-Mu'minin | Arabic | Executive | Hereditary/ identified | National/ supranational/ tribal |
| Amphipole | Greek | Executive/ judicial | Elected? | National |
| Anax | Greek | Executive | Hereditary | Supranational |
| Apodektai | Greek | Administrative | Appointed | Tribal |
| Apostle | Greek | Ceremonial | Appointed/ Identified | Personal/ supernatural |
| Arahant | Pali | Ceremonial | Identified | Personal/ supernatural |
| Archbishop | Greek | Executive/ judicial | Appointed | Provincial (diocesan) |
| Archdeacon | Christian | Administrative | Appointed | Institutional (local church) |
| Archduchess or Archduke | German | Ceremonial/ executive | Hereditary | Courtly/ supranational |
| Archiater | Greek | Administrative/ executive | Appointed | Institutional (court (royal)) |
| Archimandrite | Greek | Ceremonial/ executive | Appointed | Institutional (abbey) |
| Archon | Greek | Executive/ judicial | Elected | Local/ national |
| Archpriest | Christian | Administrative | Appointed | Provincial |
| Argbadh | Persian | Executive | Appointed | Institutional (castle) |
| Arhat | Sanskrit | Ceremonial | Identified | Personal/ supernatural |
| Asapatish | Persian | Executive | Appointed | Divisional (cavalry unit) |
| Aspet | Armenian | Executive | Hereditary | Courtly |
| Assistant in Virtue | Tang dynasty | Ceremonial | Appointed | Courtly |
| Assistant Professor | American | Administrative | Appointed | Institutional (university) |
| Assistant to the President & Deputy National Security Advisor | American | Executive | Appointed | National |
| Associate Professor | American | Administrative | Appointed | Institutional (university) |
| Aswaran Salar | Sasanian Empire | Executive | Appointed | Divisional (entire cavalry) |
| Augusta | Greek | Ceremonial | Appointed | Courtly |
| Ayatollah | Persian | Judicial | Appointed (based on studies at a hawza) | Personal |
| Baivarapatish | Persian | Executive | Appointed | Divisional (baivarabam of 10,000 soldiers) |
| Bapu | Hindi | Ceremonial | Identified | Courtly/ personal |
| Baron or Baroness | French | Executive | Hereditary | Local |
| Basileus or Basilissa | Greek | Executive/ ceremonial/ judicial | Hereditary/ elected | National |
| Beauty | Tang dynasty | Ceremonial | Appointed | Courtly |
| Bishop | Christian | Executive | Appointed | Provincial (diocesan) |
| Blessed | Latin | Ceremonial | Appointed | Supernatural |
| Begum | Turkish | Ceremonial | Appointed | Courtly/ personal |
| Brother | Christian | Personal | Identified | Personal |
| Buddha | Pali/ Sanskrit | Ceremonial | Identified | Personal/ supernatural |
| Cardinal | Christian | Administrative | Appointed | Institutional (College of Cardinals) |
| Cardinal-nephew | Latin | Administrative | Appointed | Institutional (College of Cardinals) |
| Caesar | Latin | Ceremonial | Appointed | Courtly |
| Caliph | Arabic | Executive | Elected/ hereditary | Supranational |
| Cantor | Belgian | Executive | Elected or Appointed | Institutional (student society) |
| Captain (land) | European | Executive | Appointed | Divisional (75- 200 soldiers) |
| Captain (naval) | English | Executive | Appointed | Divisional (large ship) |
| Catholicos | Greek | Executive | Appointed | Regional |
| Centurion | Latin | Executive | Appointed | Divisional (80 or more soldiers) |
| Chairman or Chairwoman | English | Administrative/ executive/ legislative | Appointed/ elected | Institutional (Meeting) |
| Chakravartin | Sanskrit | Executive | Identified/ hereditary | Supranational |
| Chancellor | Latin | Administrative | Appointed | Courtly |
| Chanyu | Xiongnu | Executive | Hereditary | Tribal |
| Chhatrapati | Marathi | Executive | Hereditary | National/ supranational |
| Chief or Chieftain | Global | Executive/ judicial/ legislative | Elected/ hereditary | Tribal |
| Chiliarch | Greek | Executive | Appointed | Divisional (1,000 soldiers) |
| Chorbishop | Greek | Executive | Appointed | Provincial (diocesan) |
| Choregos | Greek | Administrative/ ceremonial | Purchased | Institutional (theatre festival) |
| City Manager | English | Executive | Appointed | Local |
| Coiffure Attendant | Tang dynasty | Ceremonial | Appointed | Courtly |
| Colonel | English | Honorific | Appointed/Identified | Local |
| Comes | Latin | Ceremonial | Appointed/ identified | Courtly/ supernatural |
| Commissioner | English | Executive/Legislative | Elected/Appointed | Local |
| Commissioner of Baseball | Amero-Canadian | Executive | Elected | Institutional (Major League Baseball) |
| Concubinus | Roman | Ceremonial | Appointed | Personal |
| Consort | Tang dynasty | Ceremonial | Appointed | Courtly |
| Consul | Roman | Executive/ judicial | Elected | National |
| Corporal | Italian | Executive | Appointed | Divisional (2nd in command of a squad of 8 to 14 soldiers) |
| Corrector | Latin | Executive/ judicial | Appointed | Regional |
| Councillor | Latin | Legislative | Elected | Local |
| Count or Countess | Latin | Executive | Hereditary | Provincial |
| Dàifu (Great Man) | Chinese | Ceremonial | Identified | Personal |
| Dalai Lama | Tibetan | Ceremonial | Appointed | Supranational |
| Dame or Dom | Latin | Ceremonial | Appointed/ identified | Institutional (British knighthood, English Benedictine Congregation) |
| Dathapatish | Persian | Executive | Appointed | Divisional (dathabam of 10 soldiers) |
| Deacon or Diakonissa | Greek | Administrative | Appointed | Institutional (local church) |
| Dean (religion) | Christian | Administrative | Appointed | Institutional (local church) |
| Decurio | Roman | Executive | Appointed | Divisional (command of a contubernium of 8 soldiers) |
| Desai | Indo-Aryan | Administrative | Appointed/ hereditary | Provincial |
| Despot | Greek | Ceremonial | Appointed | Courtly |
| Dilochitès | Greek | Executive | Appointed | Divisional (dilochia army double file) |
| Dikastes | Greek | Judicial | Chosen by lot | Tribal |
| Dimoirites | Greek | Executive | Appointed | Divisional (dimoiria army half file) |
| Distinguished Professor | American | Administrative | Appointed | Institutional (university) |
| Divine Adoratrice | Egyptian | Executive/ ceremonial | Hereditary | National |
| Diwan | Persian | Executive | Appointed/ hereditary | National/ provincial |
| Doctor | European | Administrative | Appointed | Institutional (university) |
| Don or Doña | Spanish | Ceremonial/ executive | Identified | Local/ national |
| Duchess or Duke | Latin | Executive | Hereditary | National/ Regional |
| Dux | Latin | Executive | Appointed | Divisional (two legions- 9,000 soldiers or more) |
| Earl or Countess | Anglo-Saxon | Executive | Hereditary | Provincial |
| Earl Marshal | English | Administrative/ judicial | Hereditary | Courtly/ national |
| Ecumenical Patriarch | Greek | Ceremonial/ judicial | Elected? | Supranational |
| Elder | Anglo-Saxon, Arabic, Australian, Germanic, Greek, Latin, Mayan, Slavic, Latter-day Saint | Legislative | Elected/ Appointed | Tribal, Institutional (Latter-day Saint Movement) |
| Emeritus | Latin | Ceremonial | Retired from office | Various, a retired chair, professor, or other person who retains an honorary title. Used as suffix, e.g. Professor Emeritus |
| Emperor or Empress | Latin | Executive | Hereditary | Supranational |
| En | Sumerian | Ceremonial/ executive | Hereditary? | Local/ national |
| Ephor | Greek | Executive | Elected | National |
| Epihipparch | Greek | Executive | Appointed | Divisional (1,000 horses) |
| Esquire or Squire | French | Administrative/ executive/ judicial/ legislative | Appointed/ hereditary | Local/ personal |
| Evangelist | Christian | Administrative | Appointed | Institutional (Latter Day Saint movement) |
| Exarch | Greek | Executive | Appointed | Provincial |
| Fan-bearer on the Right Side of the King | Egyptian | Ceremonial | Appointed | Courtly |
| Faqih | Arabic | Judicial | Appointed | Institutional (Sharia) |
| Fellow | English | Administrative | Appointed | Institutional (university) |
| Fidalgo | Portuguese | Executive | Hereditary | Provincial |
| Fidei defensor | Latin | Ceremonial | Appointed/ hereditary | National |
| Field Marshal | German | Executive | Appointed | Divisional (highest army rank) |
| Foreign minister | European | Administrative | Appointed | Diplomatic |
| Furén (High-Ranking Madam) | Chinese | Ceremonial | Identified | Personal |
| Fürst or Fürstin | German | Executive | Hereditary | Provincial |
| Ganden Tripa | Tibetan | Ceremonial | Appointed | Institutional (Gelug sect) |
| Generalissimo | Italian | Executive | Elected (by fellow military commanders) | National |
| God's Wife | Egyptian | Ceremonial | Appointed | Institutional (cult of Amun) |
| Gong or Gong Bao (Lord) | Chinese | Ceremonial/ executive | Appointed/ identified | Provincial/ supernatural |
| Goodman or Goodwife | British | Ceremonial | Identified | Personal |
| Gothi or Gyoja | Old Norse | Ceremonial/ executive | Elected? | Tribal |
| Governor | Roman | Executive | Appointed/ elected | Provincial |
| Governor-General | European | Executive | Appointed | National/ regional |
| Grand Admiral | French | Executive | Appointed | Divisional (highest naval rank) |
| Grand duchess or Grand duke | Germanic | Executive | Hereditary | National |
| Grand Inquisitor | Latin | Judicial | Appointed | National/ supranational |
| Grand Master | European | Ceremonial/ executive | Identified | Institutional (Freemasonry, Knights Hospitaller, Knights Templar, Teutonic Knights)/ supranational |
| Grand Master (GM) | European | Ceremonial | Appointed | Institutional (FIDE) |
| International Master (IM) | European | Ceremonial | Appointed | Institutional (FIDE) |
| FIDE Master (FM) | European | Ceremonial | Appointed | Institutional (FIDE) |
| Candidate Master (CM) | European | Ceremonial | Appointed | Institutional (FIDE) |
| Grand prince | Latin | Executive | Hereditary | National |
| Guardian Immortal | Tang dynasty | Ceremonial | Appointed | Courtly |
| Hadrat | Arabic | Ceremonial | Identified | Personal |
| Handsome Fairness | Tang dynasty | Ceremonial | Appointed | Courtly |
| Haty-a | Egyptian | Executive | Appointed? | Local |
| Hazarapatish | Persian | Executive | Appointed | Divisional (hazarabam of 1,000 soldiers) |
| Headman | Zuni & !Kung people amongst others | Ceremonial | Identified | Personal |
| Hegumen or Hegumenia | Greek | Executive | Appointed | Institutional (abbey) |
| Hekatontarchès | Greek | Executive | Appointed | Divisional (100 soldiers) |
| Hellenotamiae | Greek | Administrative | Elected? | Tribal |
| Hetman | Ukrainian | Military | Army ranking | |
| Herald | European | Administrative/ diplomatic | Appointed | Institutional/ national |
| Her/His/Your Excellency | English | Ceremonial/ executive | Appointed/ elected/ hereditary | Diplomatic/ national |
| Her/ His/ Your Grace | British | Executive/ legislative | Hereditary | Regional |
| Her/ His/ Your Highness | European | Ceremonial | Hereditary | Courtly |
| Her/ His/ Your Illustrious Highness | European | Ceremonial | Hereditary | Provincial |
| Her/ His/ Your Imperial Highness | European | Ceremonial | Hereditary | Courtly |
| Her/His/Your Imperial Majesty | European | Executive | Hereditary | Supranational |
| Her/Your Ladyship or His/Your Lordship | British | Executive/ legislative/ judicial | Hereditary | Provincial |
| Her/ His/ Your Majesty | European | Executive | Hereditary | National |
| Her/ His/ Your Royal Highness | European | Ceremonial | Hereditary | Courtly |
| Her/ His/ Your Serene Highness | European | Executive | Hereditary | National |
| Herzog | German | Executive | Hereditary | Regional |
| Hidalgo | Spanish | Executive/ legislative | Appointed/ hereditary | Provincial |
| Hierodeacon | Greek | Administrative | Appointed | Institutional (local church) |
| Hieromonk | Greek | Administrative | Appointed | Institutional (monastery) |
| Hierophant | Greek | Ceremonial | Appointed? | Institutional (Eleusinian Mysteries) |
| High priest or High priestess | Christian, Jewish, Pagan, Samaritan, Santería, Shinto | Ceremonial | Appointed | Institutional (temple) |
| Hipparchus (cavalry officer) | Greek | Executive | Appointed | Divisional (hipparchia of 500 horsemen) |
| His Eminence | Christian | Executive/ administrative | Appointed/ elected | National/ supranational |
| Hojatoleslam | Arabic | Ceremonial | Appointed | Personal |
| Ilarchès | Greek | Executive | Appointed | Divisional (wing cavalry unit) |
| Imam | Arabic | Ceremonial | Identified | Institutional (mosque)/ supernatural |
| Imperator or Imperatrice | Latin | Executive | Identified | Divisional (legion of about 4,500 soldiers) |
| Inquisitor | Latin | Judicial | Appointed | Supranational |
| Jagirdar | Indian | Executive | Appointed | Provincial |
| Jiàoshòu (Instructor) | Chinese | Administrative | Identified | Institutional (university) |
| Junior Technician | British | Administrative | Appointed | Divisional (non-supervisory) |
| Kanstresios | Greek | Administrative | Appointed | Institutional (office of the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople) |
| Karo | Japanese | Administrative | Appointed | Institutional (Castle) |
| Khan or Cham | Central Asian | Executive | Hereditary | National/Supranational |
| Khawaja | Arabic | Ceremonial | Hereditary/ identified | Tribal |
| King or Queen | English | Executive | Hereditary | National |
| King of Arms | European | Ceremonial | Appointed | National |
| Kolakretai | Greek | Administrative | Appointed | Local |
| Kumar or Kumari | Sanskrit | Ceremonial | Appointed/ hereditary | National/ provincial |
| Lady or Lord | British | Executive | Hereditary/ identified/ purchased | Institutional (Manor, Peerage of the United Kingdom)/ Provincial/ Supernatural |
| Lady of His Majesty | Tang dynasty | Ceremonial | Appointed | Courtly |
| Lady of Treasure | Tang dynasty | Ceremonial | Appointed | Courtly |
| Laoshi (Old Master) | Chinese | Executive/ judicial/ legislative | Identified | Personal |
| Leading Aircraftman or Leading Aircraftwoman | British | Administrative | Appointed | Divisional (non-supervisory) |
| Lecturer | British | Administrative | Appointed | Institutional (university) |
| Legatus | Roman | Executive | Appointed | Divisional (top rank) |
| Lehendakari | Basque | Executive | Elected | President of the Basque Country |
| Lochagos | Greek | Executive | Appointed | Divisional (75 to 200 soldiers) |
| Lonko | Mapudungun | Executive | Hereditary? | Tribal |
| Lord Great Chamberlain | English | Ceremonial | Hereditary | Courtly |
| Lord High Constable | English | Ceremonial/ executive/ judicial | Hereditary | Courtly |
| Lord Privy Seal | English | Administrative | Appointed | National |
| Lugal | Sumerian | Executive | Hereditary | Local/ national |
| Madam or Sir | French | Ceremonial/ executive | Appointed/ identified | Divisional (knight)/ personal |
| Magister Officiorum | Latin | Administrative | Appointed | Institutional (palatine secretariat) |
| Magister Militum | Latin | Executive | Appointed | Divisional (top level) |
| Maha-kshtrapa | Sanskrit | Executive | Appointed/ hereditary | Regional |
| Maharaja or Maharani | Sanskrit | Executive | Hereditary | National/ regional |
| Maharana | Hindi | Executive | Hereditary | National/ regional |
| Maharao | Hindi | Executive | Hereditary | National/ regional |
| Mahatma | Sanskrit | Ceremonial | Identified | Personal |
| Major archbishop | Christian | Executive | Appointed | Provincial (diocesan) |
| Malik or Malikah | Arabic | Executive/ legislative/ judicial | Hereditary | Local/ national/ supernatural/ tribal |
| Mandarin | Chinese | Administrative | Appointed (based on Imperial examination) | National |
| Marzban | Persian | Executive | Appointed | Provincial |
| Master of the Horse | Roman | Executive | Appointed | Courtly |
| Master of the Sacred Palace | Christian | Ceremonial | Appointed | Courtly |
| Mawlawi | Persian | Ceremonial | Identified | Institutional (madrassa) |
| Mayor | Latin | Executive/ legislative | Elected/ appointed | Local |
| Metropolitan Bishop | Christian | Executive/ judicial/ legislative | Appointed | Local |
| Mirza | Persian | Executive | Hereditary | Courtly |
| Monsignor | French | Ceremonial | Appointed | Courtly |
| Mullah | Persian | Ceremonial | Identified | Institutional (Sharia) |
| Naib | Arabic | Executive | Appointed/ elected | Local/ tribal |
| Nakharar | Armenian | Executive | Hereditary | Local |
| National Security Advisor | American | Administrative | Appointed | National |
| Navarch | Greek | Executive | Appointed | Divisional (equivalent to a modern four-star rank) |
| Nawab | Persian | Executive | Hereditary | Provincial |
| Nawabzada or Nawabzadi | Persian | Ceremonial | Hereditary | Courtly |
| Nizam | Persian | Executive | Hereditary | National/ regional |
| Nobilissimus | Latin | Ceremonial | Appointed | Courtly |
| Nomarch | Egyptian | Executive | Appointed/ hereditary | Provincial |
| Nuncio | Latin | Administrative | Appointed | Diplomatic |
| Nushi (Mistress) | Chinese | Ceremonial | Identified | Personal |
| Optio | Latin | Executive | Appointed | Divisional (centuria of about 100 soldiers) |
| Palatine | Latin | Administrative | Appointed | Provincial/ supernational |
| Pastor | Latin | Ceremonial | Elected | Institutional (local church) |
| Patriarch | Greek | Executive | Identified | Tribal |
| Patriarch | Latter Day Saint movement | Administrative/ Ceremonial | Appointed/ Hereditary | Institutional (Latter Day Saint movement) |
| Patroon | Dutch | Executive | Appointed | Institutional (colonial manor) |
| Paygan Salarapoo | Persian | Executive | Appointed? | Divisional (entire infantry) |
| Peace Be Upon Him | Arabic | Ceremonial | Identified | Supernatural |
| Peshwa | Marathi | Executive | Appointed/ hereditary | Supranational |
| Pharaoh | Egyptian | Executive | Hereditary | National |
| Pir or Pirani | Persian | Administrative | Identified | Personal |
| Polemarch | Greek | Executive | Appointed/ chosen by lot/ elected | National |
| Pope | Latin | Executive | Elected | National/ supranational |
| Post Master General | American | Executive | Appointed | National |
| Praetor | Roman | Executive/ legislative | Elected | National |
| Praeses | Belgian | Executive | Elected | Institutional (student society) |
| Presbyter | Greek | Ceremonial/ Executive | Appointed/ Elected | Local |
| President | Latin | Executive | Elected | Institutional/ national |
| President of the Church | Latter Day Saint movement | Executive/ Judicial | Appointed | Institutional (Latter Day Saint movement)/ Diplomatic/ Supernatural |
| President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles | Latter Day Saint movement | Executive/ Judicial | Appointed | Institutional (Latter Day Saint movement)/ Diplomatic/ Supernatural |
| President pro tempore | Latin | legislative | Elected by Senate | state/national |
| Presiding Bishop | Christian | Executive | Appointed | Institutional (Christianity) |
| Presiding Patriarch | Christian | Administrative | Hereditary | Institutional (Latter Day Saint movement) |
| Priest | Christian, Hindu, Jewish, Neopagan, Pagan, Shinto, Zoroastrian | Ceremonial | Appointed | Institutional (temple) |
| Primate | Latin | Ceremonial/ judicial | Appointed | Courtly/ national |
| Prime minister | English | Executive/ legislative | Appointed | National |
| Prince or Princess | Latin | Ceremonial/ executive | Hereditary | National/ Provincial |
| Princeps | Latin | Executive | Identified | Supranational |
| Principal Lecturer | British | Administrative | Appointed | Institutional (university) |
| Prithvi-vallabha | Indian | Executive | Hereditary | Regional |
| Professor | Latin | Administrative/ ceremonial | Appointed | Institutional (university) |
| Professor Emeritus | Latin | Ceremonial | Identified | Institutional (university) |
| Propagator of Deportment | Tang dynasty | Ceremonial | Appointed | Courtly |
| Prophet of the Restoration | Latter Day Saint movement | Administrative/ Judicial/ Ceremonial | Identified | Institutional (Latter Day Saint movement)/ Supernatural |
| Protodeacon | Greek | Administrative | Appointed | Institutional (local church) |
| Proxenos | Greek | Administrative | Purchased | Diplomatic |
| Prytaneis | Greek | Administrative | Appointed | Local/ tribal |
| Pursuivant | European | Administrative | Appointed | Institutional (College of Arms or similar body) |
| Quaestor | Belgian | Executive | Elected or Appointed | Institutional (student society) |
| Rabbi | Hebrew | Ceremonial | Identified | Institutional (synagogue) |
| Raja or Rani | Sanskrit | Executive | Hereditary | National/ tribal |
| Rajmata | Sanskrit | Ceremonial | Appointed | National/ regional |
| Reader | British | Administrative | Appointed | Institutional (university) |
| Recipient from the Inner Chamber | Tang dynasty | Ceremonial | Appointed | Courtly |
| Recipient of Edicts | Tang dynasty | Ceremonial | Appointed | Courtly |
| Rector | Latin | Administrative | Elected | Institutional (university) |
| Reverend | Christian | Ceremonial | Identified | Personal |
| Roju | Japanese | Administrative | Appointed | National |
| Sacristan | Christian | Administrative | Appointed/ elected | Institutional (local church) |
| Saint | Latin | Ceremonial | Appointed/ identified | Institutional/ personal/ supernatural |
| Sakellarios | Greek | Administrative | Appointed | Supranational |
| Sahib or Sahibah | Arabic | Ceremonial/ executive | Hereditary/ identified | National/ personal |
| Satrap | Persian | Executive | Appointed | Provincial |
| Savakabuddha | Pali | Ceremonial | Identified | Personal |
| Sebastokrator | Greek | Ceremonial | Appointed | Courtly |
| Sebastos or Sebaste | Greek | Ceremonial | Appointed | Courtly |
| Secretary of State | European | Administrative | Appointed | Diplomatic/ national |
| Seghatoleslam | Persian | Judicial | Appointed (based on studies at a hawza) | Personal |
| Selected Lady | Tang dynasty | Ceremonial | Appointed | Courtly |
| Senior Aircraftman or Senior Aircraftwoman | British | Administrative | Appointed | Divisional (non-supervisory) |
| Senior Lecturer | British | Administrative | Appointed | Institutional (university) |
| Sergeant | Latin | Executive | Appointed | Divisional (squad of 8 to 14 soldiers) |
| Servant in the Place of Truth | Egyptian | Ceremonial | Appointed? | Institutional (Theban Necropolis) |
| Service Provider | Tang dynasty | Ceremonial | Appointed | Courtly |
| Shah | Persian | Executive | Hereditary | National |
| Shaman | Global | Ceremonial | Identified | Tribal |
| Sheikh | Arabic | Institutional | Appointed | Anointed |
| Shifu (Protector Teacher) | Chinese | Ceremonial | Identified | Personal |
| Shigong (Teacher of my Teacher) | Chinese | Ceremonial | Identified | Personal |
| Shimu (Woman of my Teacher) | Chinese | Ceremonial | Identified | Personal |
| Shofet | Hebrew | Executive/ judicial | Elected | National/ tribal |
| Shōgun | Japanese | Executive | Hereditary | National |
| Sibyl | Greek | Ceremonial | Identified | Institutional (holy site) |
| Sister | Catholic, Latter Day Saint movement | Administrative/ Ceremonial | Appointed/ Identified | Personal/ Institutional |
| Somatophylax | Greek | Executive | Appointed | Courtly |
| Soter | Greek | Ceremonial | Identified | Supernatural |
| Spahbod | Persian | Executive | Appointed | Divisional (army corps of about 60,000 soldiers) |
| Sparapet | Armenian | Executive | Hereditary | Divisional (supreme military commander) |
| Sri or Sushri | Devanagari | Ceremonial | Identified | Personal |
| Starosta | Cyrillic | Executive | Appointed/ elected | Local/ national |
| Strategos | Greek | Executive | Appointed | Divisional (highest army rank) |
| Subedar | British/ Indian | Executive | Appointed | Divisional (highest native rank in British India) |
| Sultan | Arabic | Executive | Hereditary | National |
| Sunim | Korean | Ceremonial | Identified | Institutional (temple) |
| Swami | Sanskrit | Ceremonial | Identified | Personal |
| Syntagmatarchis | Greek | Executive | Appointed | Divisional (regiment of 300 to 5,000 soldiers) |
| Tagmatarchis | Greek | Executive | Appointed | Divisional (tagma of 500 to 1500 soldiers) |
| Taitai (married Madam) | Chinese | Ceremonial | Identified | Personal |
| Talented | Tang dynasty | Ceremonial | Appointed | Courtly |
| Tanuter | Armenian | Executive | Hereditary | Local |
| Taoiseach | Irish | Executive | Appointed | National |
| Taxiarch | Greek | Executive | Appointed | Divisional (brigade of 4,000 to 5,000 soldiers) |
| Temple boy | Thai | Administrative | Appointed | Personal |
| Tenzo | Buddhist | Administrative | Appointed? | Institutional (monastery) |
| Tetrarch | Greek | Executive | Appointed | Supranational |
| Thakore or Thakurani | Indian | Executive | Hereditary | Provincial |
| Theorodokoi | Greek | Administrative | Appointed | Diplomatic |
| Theoroi | Greek | Administrative | Appointed? | Diplomatic |
| The Most Honourable | British | Executive/ legislative | Hereditary | Provincial |
| The Right Honourable | English | Administrative/ ceremonial/ legislative | Appointed/ hereditary | Local/ national |
| Tirbodh | Persian | Executive | Appointed | Divisional (archers) |
| Tóngzhi (Comrade) | Chinese | Ceremonial | Identified | Personal |
| Toqui | Mapudungun | Executive | Elected | Tribal |
| Towel Attendant | Tang dynasty | Ceremonial | Appointed | Courtly |
| Tribune | Latin | Legislative | Elected | National |
| Trierarch | Greek | Executive | Purchased | Divisional (trireme ship) |
| Tsar or Tsaritsa | Bulgarian | Executive | Hereditary | National/ supranational |
| Unsui | Japanese | Ceremonial | Identified | Personal |
| Upasaka | Sanskrit | Ceremonial | Appointed | Personal |
| Upajjhaya | Sanskrit | Ceremonial | Appointed? | Personal |
| Vajracharya | Nepalese | Ceremonial | Hereditary/ identified | Institutional (monastery) |
| Varma | Indian | Executive | Appointed/ hereditary | Courtly/ regional |
| Venerable | Buddhist/ Christian | Ceremonial | Appointed | Institutional/ supernatural |
| Vicar general | Christian | Administrative | Appointed | Provincial (diocesan) |
| Vice-Praeses | Belgian | Executive | Elected or Appointed | Institutional (student society) |
| Viceroy or Vicereine | European | Executive | Appointed | National/ regional |
| Voivode | Bulgarian | Executive | Appointed/ hereditary | Divisional/ provincial |
| Weiyuán (Delegate) | Chinese | Legislative | Appointed? | National |
| Xiaojie (Little Woman) | Chinese | Ceremonial | Identified | Personal |
| Xiansheng (Firstborn) | Chinese | Ceremonial | Identified | Personal |
| Xiaozhang (Senior) | Chinese | Executive | Appointed | Institutional (school) |
| Xry Hbt | Egyptian | Ceremonial | Appointed? | Institutional (ritual center) |
| Yisheng (Medical Scholar) | Chinese | Administrative | Appointed/ identified | Institutional (Traditional Chinese medicine)/ personal |
| Yishi (Medical Master) | Chinese | Administrative | Identified | Institutional (Traditional Chinese medicine) |
| Yuvraj or Yuvrani | Indian | Ceremonial | Hereditary | Courtly |
| Zamindar | Devanagari | Executive/ judicial | Appointed/ hereditary | Local/ provincial |
| Zongshi (Ancestral Teacher) | Chinese | Ceremonial | Identified | Personal |
| Zhuxi (Chairperson) | Chinese | Executive | Elected | National |
| Lands’ Advocate | Dutch | Executive | Appointed | National |
| Stadtholder (Steward) | Dutch | Executive | Appointed | National |
| Grand Pensionary or councillor pensionary | Dutch | Executive | Appointed | National |
| Phra Bat Somdet Phra Chao Yu Hua or Somdet Phra Chao Yu Hua | Thai | Executive | Hereditary | National |
| Somdet Phra Akkhara Mahesi | Thai | Ceremonial | Appointed | Courtly |
| Phra Mahesi | Thai | Ceremonial | Appointed | Courtly |
| Phra Sanom | Thai | Ceremonial | Appointed | Courtly |
| Somdet Chao Fa | Thai | Ceremonial | Hereditary | Courtly |
| Phra Ong Chao | Thai | Ceremonial | Hereditary | Courtly |
| Mom Chao | Thai | Ceremonial | Hereditary | Courtly |
| Chao Fa | Thai | Ceremonial | Hereditary | Courtly |
| Mom Rachawong | Thai | Ceremonial | Hereditary | Courtly |
| Mom Luang | Thai | Ceremonial | Hereditary | Courtly |
| Mom | Thai | Ceremonial | Hereditary | Courtly |
| Somdet Krom Phraya or Somdet Phra | Thai | Ceremonial | Appointed | Courtly |
| Krom Phra | Thai | Ceremonial | Appointed | Courtly |
| Kromma Luang | Thai | Ceremonial | Appointed | Courtly |
| Kromma Khun | Thai | Ceremonial | Appointed | Courtly |
| Kromma Muen | Thai | Ceremonial | Appointed | Courtly |
| Chao Phraya | Thai | Executive | Appointed | Provincial |
| Phraya | Thai | Executive | Appointed | Provincial |
| Phra | Thai | Executive | Appointed | Local |
| Luang | Thai | Executive | Appointed | Local |
| Khun | Thai | Executive | Appointed | Local |
| Meun | Thai | Executive | Appointed | Local |
| Phan | Thai | Executive | Appointed | Local |
| Nai | Thai | Executive | Appointed | Local |
| Chao | Thai | Executive | Appointed | Tribal |
| Nayok Ratthamontri | Thai | Executive | Elected / Appointed | National |
| Phu Wa | Thai | Executive | Elected / Appointed | Provincial |
| Nayok | Thai | Executive | Elected / Appointed | Local |
| Ratthamontri | Thai | Executive | Elected / Appointed | Institutional |