to the manor born

A mishearing or pun of to the manner born.

• Homophone: to the manner born

to the manor born (not comparable)

1. From an upper class or wealthy family.
   • 1997, Dan D. Nimmo, Chevelle Newsome, Political Commentators in the United States in the 20th Century: A Bio-critical Sourcebook, Greenwood Publishing Group →ISBN, page 172

     In fact, he was to the manor born. He was a fifth-generation Washingtonian, born in the national capital on April 30, 1903; there he resided until his death on August 20, 1966.

   • 2002, Jerry W. Markham, A Financial History of the United States: From Christopher Columbus to the Robber Barons (1492-1900), M.E. Sharpe →ISBN, page 251

     None of these financiers was to the manor born. Cornelius Vanderbilt had to leave school at age eleven to help his father. Daniel Drew was born on a farm, and Jay Gould was paid two dollars a week as a blacksmith's assistant.

   • 2008, H. W. Crocker, III, The Politically Incorrect Guide to the Civil War, Regnery Publishing →ISBN

     Wade Hampton was to the manor born. One of the largest landholders in the South, educated in the Southern gentlemanly tradition, skilled with guns and horses, courtly with women, experienced in politics, one would expect that he was cut from the same scarlet cloak as the dashing cavalryman he served under, J. E. B. (Jeb) Stuart.