A baronetcy is a hereditary title in the British honors system, ranking below a baron but above a knight. It is conferred by the monarch and is typically passed down to the holder's male heirs. The title is often prefixed with "Sir," and baronets are entitled to use the honorific style of "Sir" before their first name. Baronets are not peers of the realm and do not sit in the House of Lords. The title was first created in the early 17th century, and baronets are often involved in local and national affairs, contributing to their communities and the United Kingdom.