THREE IMPORTANT QUESTIONS

IS IT REALLY POSSIBLE TO BUY A TITLE?

IS IT BREAKING THE LAW TO DO SO?

CAN I PASS A TITLE ON TO MY CHILDREN?

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SHORT ANSWERS

Yes, you can buy

&

No, it is not breaking the law

And sometimes you can pass it on, depending on the title.

For Example: Seated titles can be passed on but non-seated can not.

And ancient titles that were annexed 100s of years ago, that have no known descendants, you can pass on by nature of the title, but it will only be recognised by your own family.

But you can change your name by deed poll 

( as anyone can)

Titles that come with land: must be passed down in your will, even souvenir plots.

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You can legally buy in the UK

Lord of The Manor titles with or without land attached.

Scottish /Irish Feudal Baronies with or without land attached.

Scottish/ Irish Laird ships which need land attached, even a foot of land is enough. This is because a laird means simply put a land owner & that land can be shared.

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LORD OF THE MANOR

This does NOT make you the Laird of a Clan.

If you buy one of these you cannot be addressed as Lord so and so, but rather Joe Blogs ,Lord of the Manor Pothole ( example) or Joe Blogs of Pothole.

You are not addressed as Lord Joe Blogs of Pothole and your lady can not be addresses as The Lady Pothole, as ONLY Dukes daughters are called THE LADY so and so. Your lady can be called Lady of Pothole.

These Lordships of the manor have no real recognition, unless your lucky enough to have a little manor ( village) who want to recognise you! If this is so, be prepared to work on their behalf promoting and improving the village because as a Lord of the manor that's your responsibility, but with it comes the recognition.

ROYAL TITLES/PEERS

Only Lords of The Manor titles are legal to buy in England, as royal titles and peerages are bestowed by HM , it is illegal to sell them.

The Royal titles are Counts, Earls,Dukes,Marquis, Prince, and the female counterparts.

These are addressed as such; Lord Joe Blogs, 1st Earl of Pothole , his sons are Lord John Blogs the marquis of Pothole and his daughters are The Lady Clarissa of Pothole, his wife is The Lady Mary Bloggs The Countess of Pothole. etc Apart from his heir and his children, the other grandchildren are usually The Honorable, Lord or Lady.

The Earls heir will become the 2nd Earl of Pothole and his sons marquises and daughters The ladys and his wife The Lady Countess, and so on.

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BARONS

Barons were feudal titles held by landowners & Tenants in Chief, but have evolved through marriage or higher peerage owners like Baronies and are absorbed into their collective titles and then inherited by the issue. One can only become a 'New Baron' which is called a Life Baron by being in the House of Lords, such as Baroness Margaret Thatcher, but these 'barons' are addressed as Lords or Ladies and the title is not passed on , it is for life only and is a Peerage.

SO the baronies for sale in England are ancient feudal titles that are extinct. And you cannot be addressed as Baron so and so, but rather Joe Blogs Baron of Pothole ( example)

Scottish Baronies are still viable and recognised by the Lords Lyon, providing they are REAL.But as a Baron was a landowner/feudal Lord on behalf of the English King, they are not Scottish as in Lairds, which is only held by the Liard of The Clan or Chieftain 

https://www.debretts.com/debretts-a-to-z/b/baron-and-baroness/

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see link- Royal Central

​http://royalcentral.co.uk/blogs/insight/can-you-buy-a-title-3415.

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European titles you can buy easily with no legal restraints, since these ancient feudal titles do not exist in Europe anymore.They are titles that can be used after your name.

But they are not recognised by the non-monarchist governments of today in Europe as noble titles, just a 'stage name' or ( if you change by deed poll) an extension of your name.

Like in Spain where you have your mothers maiden name following your fathers surname, so you can add your 'title' after your surname, to display your heritage as it were.

Or in Poland, the surnames ending in 'Ski' or the feminine 'Ska' or 'icz( son of) can in fact hint to a noble ancestry or if the first part of surname is a place name it means from that village/town. As with German names with a connector 'von', Dutch with 'van' ,Italian & Spanish  with 'di' and French with 'de' or before that 'de la' . Simply meaning 'son of' then shortened to just 'of'.

Thus,European titles were devalued and added to the last name as an extension or to join the first name to the last, depending on the languages grammar..