In 1769, a three-volume work was published: The New Peerage, documenting the ‘Present State of the Nobility of England, Scotland, and Ireland’ along with family details, mottos and coats of arms. The editor was not named, but is thought to have been John Almon. In 1802 publisher and bookseller John Debrett first gave his name to the volume, which continued to be published for 250 years and 150 editions.

Since the mid 1900s, Debrett’s has also established itself as the world’s leading authority on protocol and correct form, publishing a range of guides on traditional British etiquette including Debrett’s A–Z of Modern Manners, Debrett’s Wedding Handbook, Debrett’s Guide for the Modern Gentleman and Debrett’s Handbook.