Regency Reader Questions: Widows Suffix

Moniker/Name

Miss FiFi

Source of Question

Just curious

Your Question

Good day, May I inquire on the correct suffix to address a widowed woman of non-nobility in the Regency era? Thank you

Thanks for the question, Miss Fifi, and for being a Regency Reader! Widows were still, by in large, referred to by their married “Mrs.” It was also not uncommon for unmarried, older women to also be given the courtesy of address of Mrs, particularly with household staff who were often addressed as Mrs depending on their relative status in the household.

There is a great post about shifting history of female address here: Mistress, Miss, Mrs or Ms: untangling the shifting history of titles | University of Cambridge

Hope that is helpful!