What is the abbreviated form of 'Monsieur'?

Answer #1 M. Answer #2 M., as in M. Sarkozy (the French president). This term has evolved over the centuries. For example, up to the French Revolution a baron or a knight would be addressed as 'sieur' followed by his name. This is where we get the English Word 'sir' from. Someone more important in the hierarchy would be addressed as 'Monseigneur', which means 'My Lord'. 'Monsieur' and 'sieur' are abbreviations of 'Monseigneur'. 'Monseigneur' is still used in the Catholic hierarchy, for example for a bishop. High ranking French aristocrats still insist on being addressed with this title. In English, we use the Italian equivalent Monsignor (Mgr).