Sith Lord is the title carried by former Grand Masters as former Dark Lords of the Sith. Members the Grand Master deems worthy can also be elevated to the status of Sith Lord, this is often the case with Deputy Grand Masters after completing their formal apprenticeship as a Shadow Hand.
Sith Lord is the middle rank of the Order of Sith Lords and is considered a full member, as oppossed to the Dark Lord of the Sith as the Master and Shadow Hands as apprentices. Members holding the title of Sith Lord are permitted to style themselves as Lord (or Lady) or Darth.
Chronological; Former Dark Lords of the Sith are shown in bold.
History
While obviously referring to a master of Sith knowledge, the title of 'Sith Lord' (or 'Sith Lady' if referring to a female Dark Lord) seemed to be used somewhat ambiguously to refer to various things, including all Sith, the Dark Lords of the Sith, Sith Masters in Darth Bane's reformed order, or as a rank akin to that of the Jedi Master for the Jedi Order. Several Sith Lords also held the title Darth.
Originally, "Sith Lord" referred to a high-ranking member of the Sith race's society. As the Sith civilization progressed, many claimed the title; Adas was one such lord.
List of Sith Lords
Chronological; The Dark Lords of the Sith (leader of the Sith or Sith Master) are shown in bold. Sith Lords created for the Dark Brotherhood are shown in italics.
Old Sith Empire
Brotherhood of the Sith
Sith Empire
New Sith Empire
Brotherhood of Darkness
Order of the Sith Lords
New Sith Order
Unknown