Spain Nobility

There are two main categories of Spanish nobility records, titled and non-titled nobility. These categories have different collections that document the Spanish nobility.

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Nobility

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Non-titled Nobility Records (Hidalguías)

Hidalguía or Hidalgo means 'son of something.' Hidalgo status could be obtained in two ways: 1) inherited - usually from an ancestor that assisted in the reconquest in some way; and 2) Privilege - granted by the Crown.

Hidalgos were not given titles (see Titled Nobility below), there were a few material and financial benefits for obtaining or maintaining the status.

• Immunity from payment of royal taxes, including pechos and derramas. Although they were exempted to royal taxes, they were still obligated to pay local and council taxes.
• Important governmental posts required that they be held by hidalgos, this included officers in the regular Spanish military (until 1831), becoming a member of military orders, or local government positions.
• Exemption from military conscription (reclutamiento y quintas) through 1831.
• Exempt from the forced quartering of soldiers.
• Debts could not be collected by seizure of residences, horses, mules, or personal weapons.

Hidalguía Records

There are several different types of primary and secondary sources for researching hidalguías. The best sources include the following.

1. Hidalgo Censuses (Padrones de Hidalgo) - in many cases these censuses were created to document those that were exempt from paying common taxes (pechos), and those exempt from military conscription (quintas). The censuses were taken locally. These censuses are normally archived in municipal archives. The censuses cover a wide range of time periods between the late 1400s to the early 1800s. The information in these census records is usually limited, but at times can give familial relationships (spouse's name and children's names), and birthplace information.