what is a viscount

A viscount or viscountess is a title used in certain European countries for a noble of varying status. It is the fourth rank in the British peerage system, standing directly below an earl and above a baron (Lord of Parliament in Scotland) . The title of viscount is used as a courtesy title for the heir of an earl or marquess in British custom. The peers heir apparent will sometimes be referred to as a viscount, if the second most senior title held by the head of the family is a viscountcy. The oldest English viscountcy surviving today is that of Hereford, created in 1550; the premier Irish one, however, that of Gormanston, is somewhat older, having been created in 1478. There are approximately 270 viscountcies extant in the peerages of the British Isles, though most are secondary titles.