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''[[England Genealogy|England]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]]'' '''Nobility''' {{England-sidebar}} | ''[[England Genealogy|England]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]]'' '''Nobility''' {{England-sidebar}} | ||
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|[[Image:England nobility.jpg|thumb|right|280x215px|<center>England nobility<center>]] | |||
|[[Image:Weston Birt house 1826.jpg|thumb|right|296x200px|<center>Weston Birt House 1826<center>]] | |||
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== Online Resources == | == Online Resources == | ||
*[http://www.thepeerage.com/surname_index.htm The Peerage] | *[http://www.thepeerage.com/surname_index.htm The Peerage] | ||
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{{Wikipedia|Peerage of England}} | {{Wikipedia|Peerage of England}} | ||
British nobility has a well-defined order. The highest noblemen are peers, which include the titles of (in descending rank) duke, marquis, earl, viscount, and baron. This is followed by the gentry, whose titles are baronet, knight, esquire, and gentleman. Both peers and gentry are entitled to coats of arms. | |||
The noble class forms less than five percent of England’s population. England limits the growth of the noble class. The eldest son inherits the father’s title, and younger sons may or may not have lesser titles. Younger sons do, however, have the right to use the father’s coat of arms altered with cadency, a mark showing birth order. When a nobleman dies without sons, the title may pass to a brother, cousin, or uncle. It may also lapse unless the Crown awards the title to a daughter’s husband. | The noble class forms less than five percent of England’s population. England limits the growth of the noble class. The eldest son inherits the father’s title, and younger sons may or may not have lesser titles. Younger sons do, however, have the right to use the father’s coat of arms altered with cadency, a mark showing birth order. When a nobleman dies without sons, the title may pass to a brother, cousin, or uncle. It may also lapse unless the Crown awards the title to a daughter’s husband. | ||
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Since the peerages are alphabetised by title rather than surname it is difficult to find surnames and associated families. Two good indexes exist, the compilers of Burke’s have produced ''Burke’s Family Index'' and F. Leeson ''(A Directory of British Peerages )'' covers all peerage works. There are two works on peerages which have died out, ''Burke’s Extinct Peerage (1883)'' and Pine’s ''New Extinct Peerage 1884-1971.'' | Since the peerages are alphabetised by title rather than surname it is difficult to find surnames and associated families. Two good indexes exist, the compilers of Burke’s have produced ''Burke’s Family Index'' and F. Leeson ''(A Directory of British Peerages )'' covers all peerage works. There are two works on peerages which have died out, ''Burke’s Extinct Peerage (1883)'' and Pine’s ''New Extinct Peerage 1884-1971.'' | ||
There are many publications that can help you trace noble families. The most important are three indexes to published works compiled by Whitmore, Marshall, and Barrow. These books are described in [[England Genealogy]]. | |||
The records of peerage creations and related documents are kept at the College of Arms. (See [[England Heraldry]].) | The records of peerage creations and related documents are kept at the College of Arms. (See [[England Heraldry]].) | ||