Gentleman - 1790

[gazania]

I am interested in the use of gentleman as a descripture or occupation, particularly, as far as I can find out, for the family that has no "noble" connections.

For example,  an ancestor of mine in 1790 was describes as a gentleman on his marriage licence.  His address was Richmond, Surrey.  All other known records describe him as a grocer.  He did not leave a will, that I can find.  His brother, lived in Fulham.  He left a will where he was described as a gentleman but I have not found any other record of any other occupation.

These two brothers and their sister were mentioned in the will of their maternal uncle, who was a victualler.

Is this a common use of gentleman as  the family's attempt to be recognised as having some status in their society?

[Skoosh]

He has private means & looks the part so gentleman! 

Skoosh.

[goldie61]

I don't think there was any hard and fast rule under which you could claim to be a 'gentleman'.
If you felt you had gained a certain level in society, you could term yourself one on a marriage entry or a will I think.
As Skoosh says, if he had the money, and looked the part, he could call himself a 'gentleman'.

[stanmapstone]

Historically a Gentleman was a well born man above the rank of Yeoman, usually entitled to bear a coat of arms. It was assumed that a Gentleman did not do manual work and the term gradually encompassed all those in the professions. Generally speaking  a Gentleman, needed to do no paid work to support himself and did not rely on handouts of any sort from others, he would live off his investments.
In a case in 1862 Mr. Justice Willes stated that: A gentleman is described in law as a person who has no occupation.

Stan

[Skoosh]

There was no shortage of gentlemen in Scotland but no yeomen! 

Skoosh.

[Geoff-E]

A gentleman is someone who uses a milk jug, even if there's no-one else in the house.

[goldie61]

A gentleman is someone who uses a milk jug, even if there's no-one else in the house.

 

I have several  ancestors who styled themselves 'gent' who I don't think were 'living off their investments', nor did they 'bear arms'. Perhaps it was a more loosely used term than that.

[miw]

I have found some men who have an occupation when younger but are described as Gentleman in old age, presumably having retired and living on savings or annuities.

[Caw1]

I have a couple of 'gentlemen' amongst my ancestors.

 They started life as Drapers, so I'm presuming that as they were business people, when they retired from work and passed the business on to the next generation they assumed the title of gentlemen as they were living off thier own means.

Caroline