earldom

[ url-duhm ]

noun

1. Also called earlship. the rank or title of an earl.
2. the territory or jurisdiction of an earl.

ˈearldom

/ ˈɜːldəm /

noun

1. the rank, title, or dignity of an earl or countess
2. the lands of an earl or countess

Word History and Origins

Origin of earldom¹

before 1150; Middle English erldom, Old English eorldōm. See earl, -dom,

Example Sentences

He succeeded his brother (see above) in the earldom in 1823, and spent the latter part of his life in Paris.

From Project Gutenberg

Svein Hakonson, he that was the finest man that men have ever looked on, received earldom from Olaf the Swede.

From Project Gutenberg

Upon the death of Godwin, Harold resigned his earldom, and took that of Godwin, the bounds being slightly varied.

From Project Gutenberg

I have a Scotch earldom myself in my family granted by another king the day after he had lost his own crown.'

From Project Gutenberg

As for the Lamptons, there is an earldom in the English family, and there were claimants even then in the American branch.

From Project Gutenberg