

The title of admiral has an ancient lineage. It apparently originated before the 12th century with Muslim Arabs, who combined emir, or amīr (“commander”), the article al, and baḥr baḥr (“sea”) to make amīr-al-baḥrbaḥr. Shortened to amiral, the title was adopted for naval use by the Sicilians. The French copied the word from the Genoese during the Seventh Crusade (1248–54). The Latin word admirabilis (“admirable”) may have contributed to the designation admiral for the commander of the Cinque Ports in England before the end of the 13th century.

In Europe it became the title of a great officer of the crown: in France as grand amiral, in Spain as almirante mayor, and in England as lord high admiral. The noblemen who held these posts were not seamen and did not command at sea except on rare occasions; they were heads of departments that administered naval affairs. They were responsible for providing ships for war, and their duties usually brought them large fees. They also had jurisdiction in certain legal cases.


In the U.S. Navy a fleet admiral ranks with a general of the army or general of the air force. Admiral ranks with general , and vice admiral with lieutenant general, and rear admiral with major general. The upper half of the rear admirals’ list rank with major generals, the lower half with brigadier generals. Rank insignia for U.S. or British admirals consist of a broad gold stripe encircling the lower sleeve with one or more narrower stripes above it.