bey

bey, title among Turkic peoples traditionally given to rulers of small tribal groups, to members of ruling families, and to important officials. Under the Ottoman Empire a bey was the governor of a province, distinguished by his own flag (sancak, liwa). In Tunis after 1705 the title become hereditary for the country’s sovereign. Later bey became a general title of respect in Turkic and Arab countries, added after a man’s personal name (the counterpart for women is hanım). The rough equivalent in English is esquire, or perhaps sir as used in conversation.