Sons of a Baron

All sons of a baron have the courtesy title of 'The Hon' before their forename and surname. The style of 'The Hon' is only used on the envelope in correspondence, in written descriptions (usually only on the first mention) or in formal documents. It is never used in conversation or on invitations or on visiting cards, when the correct style is 'Mr'.

These rules also apply to sons of a baroness in her own right and to sons of a life baroness.

If the baron is of the Peerage of Scotland please refer to Scottish Title of Master

How to address the Son of a Baron

The recommended (social) style of address is as follows:

Beginning of letter	Dear Mr Hays
End of letter	Yours sincerely
Envelope	The Hon Dominic Hays
Verbal communication	Mr Hays (or appropriate rank if in the Services)
Invitation*	Mr Dominic Hays
Description in conversation	Mr Hays
List of Directors or Patrons	Dominic Hays
Place card	Mr Dominic Hays
Legal document	Dominic William Hays Esquire commonly called The Hon Dominic Hays

*Note that, traditionally, invitations to a married couple, when sent to their home address, are addressed to the wife alone, with both names being inscribed on the invitation card. It has become increasingly acceptable, however, to address the envelope with both names.

Wife of the Son of a Hereditary or Life Baron

The wife of a man with the courtesy style of 'The Hon' is known by her husband's forename and surname, with the addition of 'Mrs' as a prefix. Thus, the wife of 'The Hon Dominic Hays' is 'The Hon Mrs Dominic Hays'.

'The Hon' is never used in conversation or on invitations or on visiting cards.

How to address the Wife of the Son of a Baron

The recommended (social) style of address for a woman who has no title in her own right is as follows:

Beginning of letter	Dear Mrs Hays
End of letter	Yours sincerely
Envelope	The Hon Mrs Dominic Hays
Verbal communication	Mrs Hays
Invitation	Mrs Dominic Hays
Description in conversation	Mrs Hays
List of Directors or Patrons	Mary Hays (or Mrs Dominic Hays)
Place card	Mrs Dominic Hays
Legal document	Mary Jane Hays commonly called The Hon Mrs Dominic Hays

Exceptions

If she is the daughter of a duke, marquess or earl (ie with the style of 'Lady' followed by her forename), she continues to use her own style and name with her husband's surname, ie Lady Mary Hays.

If she is the daughter of a viscount or baron, with the style of The Hon, she does not use her husband's forename. For example if The Hon Jane White marries The Hon Dominic Hays, she is known as 'The Hon Mrs Hays'.

Widow or Former Wife of the Son of a Baron

There is no difference in the form of address in widowhood, or in the dissolution of her marriage. Should she remarry, however, she adopts her style from her new husband.