Royal and noble ranks

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Traditional ranks among European royalty, peers, and nobility are rooted in Late Antiquity and the Middle Ages. Although they vary over time and between geographic regions (for example, one region's prince might be equal to another's grand duke), the following is a fairly comprehensive list that provides information on both general ranks and specific differences.

Contents

1 Ranks and titles
2 General chart of \"translations\" between languages
3 See also
4 External links

Ranks and titles

Sovereign:
*Emperor, rules¹ an empire.
*Tsar (or Czar) in Bulgarian, Russian, and Serbian, and Kaiser in German, both derive from Caesar, i.e. Emperor, and rule an Empire, which in these cases may be referred to as "Tsardom" and "Kaiserreich" respectively. Tsars of Bulgaria and Serbia did not consider their title as equivalent to king, but in these cases, the title was internationally considered equivalent to king, not emperor.
*Khan (Mongol, or Turkic) rules a khanate. (Mainly Asian, but also existed in Mongol/Turkic territory in Russia, Ukraine, and the Crimea.)
*Sultan, rules¹ a Sultanate
*Emir, rules an Emirate
*King, rules¹ a kingdom (Sovereign kings are ranked above vassal kings).
*Prince, Fürst in German, ruling¹ a Principality
*Grand Duke, ruling¹ a grand duchy
*Archduke

Nobility:
*Prince, Prinz in German; junior members of a sovereign or formerly sovereign family
*Prince-elector, Kurfürst in German, electing the Holy Roman Emperor
*Archduke, a unique rank used only by the Habsburgs in Austria for princes of the imperial family
*Duke, who rules¹ a duchy²
*Marquess, theoretically the ruler¹ of a marquessate, or march.
*Count, theoretically the ruler of a county, known as an Earl in Britain.
*Viscount (vice-count), theoretically the ruler of a viscounty
*Free Lord (freiherr), holder of an allodial barony - these are "higher" level of barons
*Baron, theoretically the ruler of a barony - some barons in some countries may have been "free barons" (liber baro) and as such, regarded (themselves) as higher barons
*Vidame, a minor French aristocrat
*Seigneur or Knight of the Manor rules a smaller local fief
*Knight is the basic rank of the aristocratic system

1) Loss of sovereignty or fief does not necessarily lead to loss of title. The position in the ranking table is however accordingly adjusted. The occurrence of fiefs has changed from time to time, and from country to country. For instance, dukes in England rarely had a duchy to rule.

2) Dukes who are not actually or formerly sovereign, such as all British, French, and Spanish dukes, or who are not sons of sovereigns, as titulary dukes in many other countries, should be considered nobles ranking above marquess.

In Germany, the actual rank of the holder of a title is, however, dependent on not only the title as such, but on for instance the degree of sovereignty and on the rank of the lord of the title-holder. But also such matters as the age of the princely dynasty play a role (Uradel, Briefadel, altfürstliche, neufürstliche, see: German nobility). Thus, any sovereign ruler would be higher than any formerly sovereign, i.e. mediatized, family of any rank (thus, the Fürst of Waldeck, sovereign until 1918, was higher than the Duke of Arenberg, mediatized). Members of a formerly sovereign house ranked higher than the regular nobility. Among the regular nobility, those whose titles derived from the Holy Roman Empire ranked higher than those whose titles were granted by one of the German princes after 1806, no matter what title was held.

In Austria, nobility titles may no longer be used since 1918. [1] (http://www.ris.bka.gv.at/taweb-cgi/taweb?x=d&o=d&v=bnd&d=BND&i=13944)

In Germany, the constitution of the Weimar Republic in 1919 abolished nobility and all nobility titles. They are now merely part of the family name, and there is no more right to the traditional forms of address (e.g., "Hoheit" or "Durchlaucht"). The last title was conferred on 12 November 1918 to Kurt von Klefeld.

In Switzerland, nobility titles are prohibited and are not recognized as part of the family name.

General chart of \"translations\" between languages

Below is a comparative table of corresponding royal and noble titles in various European countries. Quite often, Latin used masculine forms for reigning ladies except regina and imperatrix (i.e, for lower rulers). See Royal and noble styles to learn how to properly address holders of these titles.

English French Italian Spanish German Dutch Norwegian Swedish Czech Finnish Polish¹ Russian Danish Greek Portuguese Latin⁸
Emperor,
Empress Empereur,
Imperatrice Imperatore,
Imperatrice Emperador,
Emperatriz Kaiser,
Kaiserin Keizer,
Keizerin Keiser,
Keiserinne Kejsare,
Kejsarinna Císař,
Císařovna Keisari,
Keisarinna (or Keisaritar, obsolete)¹¹ Cesarz,
Cesarzowa Imperator/Tsar,
Imperatritsa/Tsaritsa Kejser,
Kejserinde Aftokrator,
Aftokratira Imperador,
Imperatriz Imperator/Caesar,
Imperatrix/Caesarina

King,
Queen Roi,
Reine Re,
Regina Rey,
Reina König,
Königin Koning,
Koningin Kong,
Dronning Kung,
Drottning Král,
Královna Kuningas,
Kuningatar¹¹ Król,
Królowa Koról,
Koroléva Konge
Dronning Vasilefs,
Vasilissa Rei,
Rainha Rex,
Regina

Grand Duke/Grand Prince,
Grand Duchess/Grand Princess Grand Duc,
Grande Duchesse Granduca,
Granduchessa Granduque,
Granduquesa Großherzog/Großfürst,
Großherzogin/Großfürstin Groothertog,
Groothertogin Storhertug,
Storhertuginne Storfurste,
Storfurstinna Velkovévoda,
Velkovévodkyně Suuriruhtinas,
Suuriruhtinatar¹¹ Wielki Książę,
Wielka Księżna Velikiy Knyaz,
Velikaya Kniagina Storhertug,
Storhertuginde Megas Doux Grão-Duque,
Grã-Duquesa Magnus Dux/ Magnus Princeps,
magna ducissa, magna principissa

Archduke,
Archduchess Archiduc, Archiduchesse Arciduca,
arciduchessa Archiduque,
archiduquesa Erzherzog,
Erzherzogin Aartshertog,
Aartshertogin Ärkehertig,
ärkehertiginna Arcivévoda,
Arcivévodkyně Arkkiherttua,
Arkkiherttuatar¹¹ Arcyksiążę
Arcyksiężna Ærke Hertug,
Ærke Hertuginde Arqui-duque,
Arqui-duquesa; Archidux,
archiducissa

(Prince)-Elector,
Electress Prince-électeur,
princesse-électrice Principe Electore,
principessa electrice Príncipe Elector,
princesa electora; Kurfürst,
Kurfürstin Keurvorst,
Keurvorstin Kurfyrste,
kurfyrstinne Kurfurste
kurfurstinna Kurfiřt
Vaaliruhtinas,
Vaaliruhtinatar¹¹ Kurfyrste,
kurfystinde Princeps Elector

Prince²,
Princess Prince²,
Princesse Principe²,
Principessa Príncipe²,
Princesa Fürst,
Fürstin¹⁰ Prins/Vorst,
Prinses/Vorstin Prins/fyrste,
Prinsesse/fyrstinne Furste/prins,
Furstinna/prinsessa⁴ Kníže,
Kněžna¹⁰ Ruhtinas/prinssi,
Ruhtinatar/prinsessa⁴,¹¹ Książę,
Księżna Kniaz/Gertsog,
Kniagina/Gertsoginya⁵ Fyrste
Fyrstinde Pringkips
Pringkipissa Príncipe,
Princesa Princeps,
principissa

Duke,
Duchess Duc,
Duchesse Duca,
Duchessa Duque,
Duquesa Herzog,
Herzogin Hertog,
Hertogin Hertug, Hertuginne Hertig,
hertiginna Vévoda,
Vévodkyně Herttua,
Herttuatar¹¹ Hertug
Hertuginde Doukas/archon
Doux/archonitissa Duque,
Duquesa Dux,
ducissa

Marquess/Margrave,
Marchioness/Margravine Marquis,
Marquise Marchese,
Marchesa Marqués,
Marquesa Markgraf³,
Markgräfin Markies/Markgraaf,
Markiezin/Markgravin Marki Markis/markgreve,
markisinna/markgrevinna⁴ Markýz/Markrabě¹² Markiisi/rajakreivi,
Markiisitar/rajakreivitär¹¹ Markiz,
Markiza Markiz,
Markiza,
Boyar,
Boyarina⁵ Markis,
Markise Markissios,
Markissia Marquês,
Marquesa Marchio,
marchionissa

Earl / Count,
Countess Comte,
Comtesse Conte,
Contessa Conde,
Condesa Graf,
Gräfin Graaf,
Gravin Jarl / Greve,
Grevinne Greve,
Grevinna Hrabě,
Hraběnka Kreivi/(brit:)jaarli,
Kreivitär⁴,¹¹ Hrabia,
Hrabina Graf,
Grafinya⁵ Greve
Grevinde, Komtesse Komis,
Komissa Conde,
Condessa Comes,
comitissa

Viscount,
Viscountess Vicomte,
Vicomtesse Visconte,
Viscontessa Vizconde,
Vizcondesa Vizegraf,
Vizegräfin Burggraaf,
Burggravin Vikomte,
Visegrevinne Vicegreve,
vicegrevinna Varakreivi,
Varakreivitär¹¹ Wicehrabia,
Wicehrabina Viskont,
Viskontsha Vicegreve,
Vicegrevinde/Vicekomtesse Visconde,
Viscondessa Vicecomes,
vicecomitissa
Baron,
Baroness Baron,
Baronne Barone,
Baronessa Barón,
Baronesa Freiherr/ Baron,
Freifrau/Freiherrin/ Baronin Baron,
Barones(se) Baron,
Baronesse Friherre,
Friherrinna Baron,
Baronka Vapaaherra/Paroni,
Vapaaherratar/Paronitar⁴,¹¹ Baron,
Baronowa Baron,
Baronessa Baron,
Baronesse Varonos,
Varonessa Barão,
Baronesa Liber baro,
baronissa

Baron,
Baroness Baron,
Baronne Barone,
Baronessa Barón,
Baronesa Baron, Herr,
Baronin, Frau Baron,
Barones(se) Baron,
Baronesse Baron, Herre,
Baronessa, Fru Baron,
Baronka Paroni, Herra,
Paronitar, Rouva/ Herratar,⁴,¹¹ Baron,
Baronowa Baron,
Baronessa Baron,
Baronesse Varonos,
Varonessa Barão,
Baronesa Baro,
baronissa

Baronet⁶,
Baronetess Baronnet Baronetto Baronetti, "Herra" (=fiefholder),
Herratar¹¹ Baronet,
Baronetesse Baronete,
Baronetesa;

Knight⁹ Chevalier Cavaliere Caballero Ritter, Edler Ridder Ridder Riddare/ Frälseman,
Fru⁴ Rytíř Aatelinen/Ritari⁴¹¹
style of wife: Rouva Kawaler Rycer Ridder Hippotis Cavaleiro Equites

Notes:

1) Due to the principle of nobles' equality, any aristocratic titles below that of prince were not allowed in Poland (with few exceptions). The titles in italics are simply Polish translations of western titles which were granted to some Polish nobles by foreign monarchs, especially after the partitions. Instead of heraditory titles, Polish nobility developed and used a set of titles based on one's office. See szlachta for more info on Polish nobility.

2) Prince/principe can also be a title of the junior members of royal houses (Prinz in German, Prins in Swedish, Prinssi in Finnish). In the British system, Prince is not a rank of nobility but a title held exclusively by members of the Royal Family.

3) In the German system by rank approximately equal to Landgraf and Pfalzgraf.

4) No nobility titles were granted after 1906 when the unicameral legislatures (Eduskunta, Riksdag) were established, removing the constitutional status of the so-called First Estate, though noble ranks were granted in Finland until 1917. The lowest, non-titled level of hereditary nobility was "Aatelinen" (i.e, "noble") - Aatelinen was basically a rank, not a title.

5) For domestic Russian nobility only the two titles Kniaz and Boyar were used before the 18th century when Graf was added.

6) Not counted as nobility in the British system.

7) Portuguese titles in italic are not used in Portugal.

8) Latin titles are for etymological comparisons. They do not accurately reflect their medieval counterparts.

9) Non-hereditary. Not counted as nobility in the British system. See also squire and esquire.

10) In the Central European system the title of Fürst, Kníže (e. G. Fürst von Liechtenstein) ranks below the title of a duke (e. G. Duke of Brunswick). The title of Vizegraf was not used in German-speaking countries. The titles of Ritter and Edler were not commonly used.

11) Finland granted nobility ranks of Ruhtinas, Kreivi, Vapaaherra and Aatelinen. The titles Suurherttua, Arkkiherttua, Vaaliruhtinas, Prinssi, Markiisi, Jaarli, Varakreivi, Paroni and Baronetti were not granted in Finland, though they are used of foreign titleholders. Keisari, Kuningas, Suuriruhtinas, Prinssi and Herttua have been official titles of members of the dynasties that ruled Finland, used officially as such though not granted as titles of nobility. Up to 19th century, there existed feudally-based privileges in landowning, being connected to nobility-related lordship, and fiefs were common in late medieval and early modern eras.The title Ritari was not commonly used except in context of knightly orders. The lowest, non-titled level of hereditary nobility was "Aatelinen" (i.e, "noble").

12) The title Markýz was not used in Bohemia and thus refer only to foreign nobility, while the title Markrabě (the same as German Markgraf) is connected only to few historical teritories - former marches on the borders of the Holy Roman Empire, e.g. Moravia.

English	French	Italian	Spanish	German	Dutch	Norwegian	Swedish	Czech	Finnish	Polish¹	Russian	Danish	Greek	Portuguese	Latin⁸
Emperor, Empress	Empereur, Imperatrice	Imperatore, Imperatrice	Emperador, Emperatriz	Kaiser, Kaiserin	Keizer, Keizerin	Keiser, Keiserinne	Kejsare, Kejsarinna	Císař, Císařovna	Keisari, Keisarinna (or Keisaritar, obsolete)¹¹	Cesarz, Cesarzowa	Imperator/Tsar, Imperatritsa/Tsaritsa	Kejser, Kejserinde	Aftokrator, Aftokratira	Imperador, Imperatriz	Imperator/Caesar, Imperatrix/Caesarina
King, Queen	Roi, Reine	Re, Regina	Rey, Reina	König, Königin	Koning, Koningin	Kong, Dronning	Kung, Drottning	Král, Královna	Kuningas, Kuningatar¹¹	Król, Królowa	Koról, Koroléva	Konge Dronning	Vasilefs, Vasilissa	Rei, Rainha	Rex, Regina
Grand Duke/Grand Prince, Grand Duchess/Grand Princess	Grand Duc, Grande Duchesse	Granduca, Granduchessa	Granduque, Granduquesa	Großherzog/Großfürst, Großherzogin/Großfürstin	Groothertog, Groothertogin	Storhertug, Storhertuginne	Storfurste, Storfurstinna	Velkovévoda, Velkovévodkyně	Suuriruhtinas, Suuriruhtinatar¹¹	Wielki Książę, Wielka Księżna	Velikiy Knyaz, Velikaya Kniagina	Storhertug, Storhertuginde	Megas Doux	Grão-Duque, Grã-Duquesa	Magnus Dux/ Magnus Princeps, magna ducissa, magna principissa
Archduke, Archduchess	Archiduc, Archiduchesse	Arciduca, arciduchessa	Archiduque, archiduquesa	Erzherzog, Erzherzogin	Aartshertog, Aartshertogin		Ärkehertig, ärkehertiginna	Arcivévoda, Arcivévodkyně	Arkkiherttua, Arkkiherttuatar¹¹	Arcyksiążę Arcyksiężna		Ærke Hertug, Ærke Hertuginde		Arqui-duque, Arqui-duquesa;	Archidux, archiducissa
(Prince)-Elector, Electress	Prince-électeur, princesse-électrice	Principe Electore, principessa electrice	Príncipe Elector, princesa electora;	Kurfürst, Kurfürstin	Keurvorst, Keurvorstin	Kurfyrste, kurfyrstinne	Kurfurste kurfurstinna	Kurfiřt	Vaaliruhtinas, Vaaliruhtinatar¹¹			Kurfyrste, kurfystinde			Princeps Elector
Prince², Princess	Prince², Princesse	Principe², Principessa	Príncipe², Princesa	Fürst, Fürstin¹⁰	Prins/Vorst, Prinses/Vorstin	Prins/fyrste, Prinsesse/fyrstinne	Furste/prins, Furstinna/prinsessa⁴	Kníže, Kněžna¹⁰	Ruhtinas/prinssi, Ruhtinatar/prinsessa⁴,¹¹	Książę, Księżna	Kniaz/Gertsog, Kniagina/Gertsoginya⁵	Fyrste Fyrstinde	Pringkips Pringkipissa	Príncipe, Princesa	Princeps, principissa
Duke, Duchess	Duc, Duchesse	Duca, Duchessa	Duque, Duquesa	Herzog, Herzogin	Hertog, Hertogin	Hertug, Hertuginne	Hertig, hertiginna	Vévoda, Vévodkyně	Herttua, Herttuatar¹¹	Hertug Hertuginde	Doukas/archon Doux/archonitissa	Duque, Duquesa	Dux, ducissa
Marquess/Margrave, Marchioness/Margravine	Marquis, Marquise	Marchese, Marchesa	Marqués, Marquesa	Markgraf³, Markgräfin	Markies/Markgraaf, Markiezin/Markgravin	Marki	Markis/markgreve, markisinna/markgrevinna⁴	Markýz/Markrabě¹²	Markiisi/rajakreivi, Markiisitar/rajakreivitär¹¹	Markiz, Markiza	Markiz, Markiza, Boyar, Boyarina⁵	Markis, Markise	Markissios, Markissia	Marquês, Marquesa	Marchio, marchionissa
Earl / Count, Countess	Comte, Comtesse	Conte, Contessa	Conde, Condesa	Graf, Gräfin	Graaf, Gravin	Jarl / Greve, Grevinne	Greve, Grevinna	Hrabě, Hraběnka	Kreivi/(brit:)jaarli, Kreivitär⁴,¹¹	Hrabia, Hrabina	Graf, Grafinya⁵	Greve Grevinde, Komtesse	Komis, Komissa	Conde, Condessa	Comes, comitissa
Viscount, Viscountess	Vicomte, Vicomtesse	Visconte, Viscontessa	Vizconde, Vizcondesa	Vizegraf, Vizegräfin	Burggraaf, Burggravin	Vikomte, Visegrevinne	Vicegreve, vicegrevinna		Varakreivi, Varakreivitär¹¹	Wicehrabia, Wicehrabina	Viskont, Viskontsha	Vicegreve, Vicegrevinde/Vicekomtesse		Visconde, Viscondessa	Vicecomes, vicecomitissa
Baron, Baroness	Baron, Baronne	Barone, Baronessa	Barón, Baronesa	Freiherr/ Baron, Freifrau/Freiherrin/ Baronin	Baron, Barones(se)	Baron, Baronesse	Friherre, Friherrinna	Baron, Baronka	Vapaaherra/Paroni, Vapaaherratar/Paronitar⁴,¹¹	Baron, Baronowa	Baron, Baronessa	Baron, Baronesse	Varonos, Varonessa	Barão, Baronesa	Liber baro, baronissa
Baron, Baroness	Baron, Baronne	Barone, Baronessa	Barón, Baronesa	Baron, Herr, Baronin, Frau	Baron, Barones(se)	Baron, Baronesse	Baron, Herre, Baronessa, Fru	Baron, Baronka	Paroni, Herra, Paronitar, Rouva/ Herratar,⁴,¹¹	Baron, Baronowa	Baron, Baronessa	Baron, Baronesse	Varonos, Varonessa	Barão, Baronesa	Baro, baronissa
Baronet⁶, Baronetess	Baronnet	Baronetto							Baronetti, "Herra" (=fiefholder), Herratar¹¹			Baronet, Baronetesse		Baronete, Baronetesa;
Knight⁹	Chevalier	Cavaliere	Caballero	Ritter, Edler	Ridder	Ridder	Riddare/ Frälseman, Fru⁴	Rytíř	Aatelinen/Ritari⁴¹¹ style of wife: Rouva	Kawaler	Rycer	Ridder	Hippotis	Cavaleiro	Equites
Notes: 1) Due to the principle of nobles' equality, any aristocratic titles below that of prince were not allowed in Poland (with few exceptions). The titles in italics are simply Polish translations of western titles which were granted to some Polish nobles by foreign monarchs, especially after the partitions. Instead of heraditory titles, Polish nobility developed and used a set of titles based on one's office. See szlachta for more info on Polish nobility. 2) Prince/principe can also be a title of the junior members of royal houses (Prinz in German, Prins in Swedish, Prinssi in Finnish). In the British system, Prince is not a rank of nobility but a title held exclusively by members of the Royal Family. 3) In the German system by rank approximately equal to Landgraf and Pfalzgraf. 4) No nobility titles were granted after 1906 when the unicameral legislatures (Eduskunta, Riksdag) were established, removing the constitutional status of the so-called First Estate, though noble ranks were granted in Finland until 1917. The lowest, non-titled level of hereditary nobility was "Aatelinen" (i.e, "noble") - Aatelinen was basically a rank, not a title. 5) For domestic Russian nobility only the two titles Kniaz and Boyar were used before the 18th century when Graf was added. 6) Not counted as nobility in the British system. 7) Portuguese titles in italic are not used in Portugal. 8) Latin titles are for etymological comparisons. They do not accurately reflect their medieval counterparts. 9) Non-hereditary. Not counted as nobility in the British system. See also squire and esquire. 10) In the Central European system the title of Fürst, Kníže (e. G. Fürst von Liechtenstein) ranks below the title of a duke (e. G. Duke of Brunswick). The title of Vizegraf was not used in German-speaking countries. The titles of Ritter and Edler were not commonly used. 11) Finland granted nobility ranks of Ruhtinas, Kreivi, Vapaaherra and Aatelinen. The titles Suurherttua, Arkkiherttua, Vaaliruhtinas, Prinssi, Markiisi, Jaarli, Varakreivi, Paroni and Baronetti were not granted in Finland, though they are used of foreign titleholders. Keisari, Kuningas, Suuriruhtinas, Prinssi and Herttua have been official titles of members of the dynasties that ruled Finland, used officially as such though not granted as titles of nobility. Up to 19th century, there existed feudally-based privileges in landowning, being connected to nobility-related lordship, and fiefs were common in late medieval and early modern eras.The title Ritari was not commonly used except in context of knightly orders. The lowest, non-titled level of hereditary nobility was "Aatelinen" (i.e, "noble"). 12) The title Markýz was not used in Bohemia and thus refer only to foreign nobility, while the title Markrabě (the same as German Markgraf) is connected only to few historical teritories - former marches on the borders of the Holy Roman Empire, e.g. Moravia.

External links

[Unequal and Morganatic Marriages in German Law]

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