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Master is a title used in a variety of ways across cultures, usually to convey a position of command or skill.
In English society
"Master" was used in England for men of high rank, such as gentlemen, priests or scholars. It was later extended to all respectable men and was the forerunner of "Mister", which is derived from it.
After its replacement in common speech by "Mister", Master was retained as an address for boys or young men. By the late 19th Century, etiquette dictated that men were addressed as 'Mister', boys under the age of 13 years old were addressed as 'Master', and from 13 to the age of majority males were not accorded courtesy titles. In some societies, this is now rare or considered affected, though more acceptable in Britain and still used in conservative enclaves in the United States. Modern use of the title Master for boys may be a function of age and class.
However, Master is still used as the written form of address for boys under the age of 13 in formal correspondence, particularly invitations to formal affairs.
"Master" is used sometimes to describe the head of a large estate or household who often employs many domestic workers.
In Scottish society
The heir to a Scottish lordship, barony or viscountcy is given the honourific title "Master of" followed by his father's title. For instance, the heir of Lord Elphinstone is known as the Master of Elphinstone; The Master of Ballantrae by Robert Louis Stevenson is about the ignoble heir to a noble house.
In institutions
Some academic institutions, notably colleges within universities such as Oxford and Cambridge, have a post of "Master", generally being the head of the institution. In formal address it can be customary to address such persons as "Master", for example at the beginning of a speech: "Master, President, Senior Members, ladies and gentlemen:".
Within the four Inns of Court, the governing bodies are formed by the Masters of the Bench, all of whom will be addressed by as, for example, "Master Bloggs", notwithstanding that they may be Mr Bloggs QC, Lord Bloggs or Judge Bloggs at work or in outside life. There is also a category of junior judges, the High Court Masters, who are properly addressed as "Master". The head of almost every London Livery Company is the Master, and addressed as such. The head of a Masonic Lodge is the Master, and addressed as Worshipful Master, (not to be confused with the degree of "Master Mason", which is not a form of address.
Other uses in society
A tradesman who has qualified on completion of his apprenticeship may be described as "Master Plumber", "Master baker", although that is not a form of address. The term is generally used now to refer to an artisan considered to be at the top of their craft.
The proprietor or head of a hunt is the Master, and may use the post-nominal letters M.F.H. (for Master of Fox Hounds). The late Duke of Beaufort was always socially addressed and known as 'Master', since he spent most of his life hunting.
The Master of a ship or vessel is nowadays addressed as Captain, but may be described by the original title for some legal or formal purposes.
In relationships
Some people training in certain trades or skills (for example, martial arts) may refer to their teacher as "master" as a sign of respect and deference. This is a Western adaptation of the Japanese term "sensei".
The term "master" is frequently used to describe the relationship between a pet and its owner; for example, a dog and his master.
See also
"Master (form of address)"