bey

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   historical: a governor, ruler, or other high official in the Ottoman Empire and some of its former territories

   The bey governed the province on behalf of the Ottoman sultan.

2. 2
   noun

   historical: a Turkish or Egyptian title of rank or respect placed after a man's name

   The delegation was formally received by Ahmed Bey.

Borrowed from Turkish bey, 'lord, chief, or governor,' from Old Turkic beg or a closely related form. The title was used at several ranks across the Ottoman world, from provincial governors to respected officials, and entered European languages through diplomatic and historical accounts.

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