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The Jamaican Honours System has developed as a unique entity since the passage of the National Honours and Awards Act by the Jamaican Parliament in 1969 (Act No. 21 of 1969). The system is modelled largely on the British honours system. The Governor-General is the Chancellor of each order, membership of which is conferred by the Governor-General upon the advice of the Prime Minister. The sovereign is not, however, the sovereign of these orders, as in the case of the Order of Canada and the Order of Australia. In a sense, therefore, they are somewhat analogous to those distinctions awarded by certain of the Canadian provinces. Most Jamaican honours entitle recipients to attach postnominal abbreviations to their names, and some include prenominal titles.
The honours in this Jamaican system, from highest to lowest in rank:
- The Order of National Hero is conferred upon any citizen of Jamaica who has rendered service of the most distinguished nature to Jamaica. Membership in the order entitles the recipient to the pre-nominal style of 'The Right Excellent' and to the post-nominal title 'National Hero of Jamaica'.
- The Order of the Nation is the second highest Jamaican order, was instituted in 1973 by Regulations made under the National Honours and Awards Act. It is often awarded to Governors-General and to persons who have held the office of Prime Minister.
- The Order of Merit is the third highest Jamaican order and is meant for any citizen of Jamaica who has achieved eminent international distinction in the fields of science, the arts, literature or any other endeavour. Honorary membership in this order is available to distinguished citizens of other nations.
- The Order of Jamaica is the fourth order in precedence in Jamaica. It is awarded to any Jamaican citizen of outstanding distinction. Like the Order of Merit, there is also a class of honorary members for foreign nationals. Membership in this order is considered the equivalent of a British knighthood.
- The Order of Distinction is the fifth order in precedence in Jamaica. It was intended to be the equivalent of the British Order of the British Empire. It has two ranks, Commander and Officer. In this order, as well, honorary memberships may be made to foreign nationals either at the rank of Commander or Officer.
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