The acquisition of nobility titles formed an important aspect of the feudalistic era when monarchical institutions were the ruling powers. In return for ruling the land for the kingdom, the ruling elite or sitting monarch bestowed a title of nobility for a person who showed exemplary loyalty to him or one who has achieved remarkable feats for the kingdoms during wars and these noble titles came with them special powers on governing and protecting territorial areas as well as administering resources, commanding labor, food and money over common citizens or those of lower noble titles.

This was common in the ancient Roman society and to begin with, it is not acquired simply by birth. It is only possible as an inheritance if one’s ascendants were primarily conferred such nobility titles but this is also according to the rules on acquiring the title of nobility by inheritance. This means that nobility titles do not necessarily come with wealth and influence. More often than not, as mentioned, they are results of chivalric acts and unquestionable loyalty to the ruling monarch.

The more popular nobility titles were the prince, the marquis, and the knight. The prince as a title of nobility was acquired by being a member of the royal family either through consanguinity or affinity. They are sons, sons-in-law, or brothers or any other closely related male family member to the highest sitting monarch. They are potential rulers because of their potentials for fairness and their special abilities to guide and administer major affairs on behalf of the king or the queen. The highest in this rank is usually the next in the line of succession- that one who will take over the royal throne after the sitting monarch’s title is relinquished because of death. The next among the noble titles is the marquis. This is a title that can be easily inherited without any major impediment. The marquis acquires his rank by virtue of special services rendered for the king. They are in charged of protecting borders or marks also known as frontier districts. They rank higher over counts or earls in the tradition of the English peerage. Knighthood on the other hand is a title of nobility that is largely due to chivalrous acts and loyalty to the king. As soldiers, they are bestowed this rank and title due to their exemplary service for the kingdom during wars. The title thus entails the image of being a protector especially of women and the weak.

In modern times these titles of have become largely ceremonial and devoid of any political or administrative powers. This is because of the French revolution that toppled this practice and also because of the advent of democracy where powers are distributed and now comes from the people guided by a constitution that defines power and responsibilities. Although this is the case, nobles and royal distinction still exist in some countries most especially the British cultural tradition and those in some other Western European royalty. This is also the case in some other countries like the imperial family in Japan, and the monarchs in Thailand and Malaysia. There are some nations though like the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the sheikdoms in other Arab nations and the sultanate in Brunei that still has the powerful institution of the monarchs who exercise absolute political and administrative functions and powers.