Esq.

Esq.
 

Tomísimo dictionary includes "Esq." as in "esquire" as with the British sense. That is, as a title of respect for a member of the English gentry ranking just below a knight; placed after the name.

Yet in American English, I understand "Esq." is used after the name of a lawyer, right?

Yup, I find it here http://www.answers.com/topic/esq.



An abbreviation for esquire, which is a title used by attorneys in the United States. The term esquire has a different meaning in English law. It is used to signify a title of dignity, which ranks above gentleman and directly below knight.
In the United States, Esq. is written after a lawyer's name, for example: John Smith, Esq.

My question is, do you just say or write "John Smith, abogado" in Spanish? Or is there any other way to refer to this "Esq."?

It is an ancient title which has somehow survived as a polite but fairly meaningless title which you can address anybody with, especially a letter.

Technically, anybody can have that title if they own land. It is (or was) standard practice when writing a letter to address them as e.g. Fred Bloggs Esq. - I have had many a letter addressed to me as such. This avoids the awkward problem of writing to someone when you don't know whether they are entitled to any other title, such as Dr of Prof.

You can't mix the titles. You can either say Mr Fred Bloggs or Fred Bloggs Esq., but never Mr Fred Bloggs Esq.

Oh - and men only of course

Edit: I now read your question, which I don't answer. Sorry. It is however Saturday evening, and we have opened a bottle of very cheap wine. *hic*

Thank you, Perikles!

My grandad puts Esq. after his name and justifies it by the genealogical claims of his grandfather. Specifically, a family tree which alleges descent from Irish royalty.

Very interesting. I guess to one degree the Spanish "Don" may be somewhat similar, although the "Don" might be more widespread... and so be less "noble".

As far as the American usage, I take if I say "John Smith, Abogado" I shouldn't be too incorrect...

An expat friend of mine gets letters from his ayuntamiento addressed to "Don Christopher" (Christopher being his second given name, but evidently confused for his first surname). However, I've only received letters addressed to "Sr. Surname"*, with the exception of the one I received when I registered for social security. That was "signed" by some government minister and addressed, IIRC, to "Estimado amigo"!

* Para que Angélica no tenga que censurar los datos personales ;)

Well, yes. In Spain used to be common practice to say, (or write in the letters addressed even to your family)
Sr. D. Chindasvinto Godoy de la Bolera (Invented name, so any resemblance with reality is mere coincidence.)

A person would be addressed as "Señor Gómez" or "Sr. Don Javier Gómez" "Sra. Doña Pompilia Rodríguez de Campanillo".

This is so common that no "nobility" nuance is attached nowadays, except, formality and "good manners". (These terms however, do come from a nobility concept.)

*Atentamente le saluda, su seguro servidor que espera alcanzar la gracia merecida de su ilustrísima y reverendísima potestad... :rolleyes:
J. Pabs, Abogao

(* Invented parody of the old and not so old ways of ending a 'formal' letter.) :)

Mi jefe en mi primer empleo siempre firmaba

"I remain, sir, your humble and obedient servant"

¡Entonces todavía había maneras!