What does Hon mean?

Answer 1

Hon is an abbreviation for "Honorable", a title given to men with political office but not necessarily any other formal title.

Hon. Is an abbreviation for Honourable or The Honourable. There are a number of different meaning for the "Hon" abbreviation. The above, being a title given to American politicians, judges and ambassadors is one.

In the UK, Honourable is a title given to the the children of certain Peers, the Children of a Life Peer or an herediary Baron will all be entitled to style themselves The Honourable XYZ, or in short "Hon. XYZ". For higher peerages, Viscounts, Earls, the younger children will be styled Honourable as the eldest male child will be given, in most cases, a coutesy title belonging to the peerage. For example, the eldest son of an Earl is most usually a Viscount, however the Earls younger Children will usually be Honourable.

The Honourable title is only ever used in writinig, it is never used verbally. So you would never call someone "Honourable David or Honourable Spencer", if a formal introduction is being given you may say "May I introduce The Honourable David Spencer", however you would verbally address him as Mr Spencer.

British politicians are usually styled The Honourable Member, but are not entitled to use honourable outside of the House of Commons. Members of the Privy Council are entitle to be styled The Right Honourable as are all Peers. This is abbreviated as "The Rt Hon." or simply "Rt Hon".