What exactly is a Lord and what does it mean to be related to one?

Question

My family has traced or genealogy to Lord Townsend of England and we are wondering what our ancestor might have been like.

Answer 1

keep doing research... what else can you say to that

Answer 2

A lord can be a Marquess,Earl,Viscount or Baron. Dukes are referred to as "My lord Duke."

Your ancestor could be all of those,a combination of those,or just a baron,earl, and so on.

These are all peerage titles;at one time,a peerage title guaranteed a seat in Parliament,in The House of Lords.

Only direct descendants in the line of succession can inherit the title(s).You just happen to have a peer in your family tree.

Answer 3

Marquess Townshend

Charles Townshend, 2nd Viscount Townshend, nicknamed Turnip Townsend for his agricultural experiments

Charles Townshend, 3rd Viscount Townshend (1700-1764)

Charles Townshend (1725-1767), Chancellor of the Exchequer, son of the 3rd Viscount

Sir Charles Vere Ferrers Townshend (1861-1924), British Major General

George Townshend, 1st Marquess Townshend, 4th Viscount Townshend

Thomas Townshend, 1st Viscount Sydney

you may want to try and find out WHICH Lord Townsend you are related to. as you can see there are a few. also it doesnt mean anything to be related to them you arent nobility i am related to a baron from saxony doesnt mean i can just goover there and reclaim the lands and such.  

Answer 4

A Lord is is a title with various meanings. It can denote a prince or a feudal superior (especially a feudal tenant who holds directly from the king, i.e., a baron). The title today is mostly used in connection with the peerage of the United Kingdom or its constituent countries, although some users of the title do not themselves hold peerages, and use it 'by courtesy'. The title may also be used in conjunction with others to denote a superior holder of an otherwise generic title, in such combinations as "Lord Mayor" or "Lord Chief Justice". The title is primarily taken by men, while women will usually take the title 'lady'. However, this is not universal, as the Lord of Mann and female Lord Mayors are examples of women who are styled 'lord'.

A biography about Townsend is in the link below.  Hope that helps.