A Baronet is a Commoner. Baronets are eligible for election to the House of Commons. Baronets are not part of the Peerage.

Baronetcies did occur before 1600, but very rarely. The title appears to have been equivalent to Banneret.

In 1611 King James I of England and Ireland and VI of Scotland granted letters patent to two hundred gentlemen, of good birth with an income of at least £1,000 a year, in return for which each was required to pay for the upkeep of thirty soldiers for three years. These Baronets were created on 22 May 1611, 29 Jun 1611, 24 Sep 1611 and 25 Nov 1611.

Wives of Baronets are referred to as "Lady"; they are not Baronetesses. Most Baronetcies descend through the male line only hence Baronetesses are rare. See Created Baronetesses of England.