Laird (/ˈlɛərd/) is a generic name for the owner of a large, long-established Scottish estate. In the Scottish order of precedence a laird ranks below a baron and above a gentleman. This rank is held only by those lairds holding official recognition in a territorial designation by the Lord Lyon King of Arms. They are usually styled [name] [surname] of [lairdship], and are traditionally entitled to place The Much Honoured before their name. The Lord Lyon, Scotland's authority on titles, has produced the following guidance regarding the current use of the term laird as a courtesy title: