squire: [13] A squire is etymologically a ‘shieldcarrier’. The word was adapted from Old French esquier (which was later reborrowed into English as esquire [15]). This was descended from Latin scūtārius ‘shield-carrier’, a derivative of scūtum ‘shield’ (source also of English escutcheon [15]). => escutcheon
squire (v.)
"to attend (a lady) as a gallant," late 14c., from squire (n.). Related: Squired; squiring.
squire (n.)
early 13c., "young man who attends a knight," later "member of the landowning class ranking below a knight" (c. 1300), from Old French esquier "squire," literally "shield carrier" (see esquire). Meaning "country gentleman, landed proprietor" is from 1670s; as a general term of address to a gentleman, it is attested from 1828.