<P> In some nations, hereditary titles, as distinct from noble rank, were not always recognised in law, e.g., Poland's Szlachta . European ranks of nobility lower than baron or its equivalent, are commonly referred to as the petty nobility, although baronets of the British Isles are deemed titled gentry . Most nations traditionally had an untitled lower nobility in addition to titled nobles . An example is the landed gentry of the British Isles . Unlike England's gentry, the Junkers of Germany, the noblesse de robe of France, the hidalgos of Spain and the nobili of Italy were explicitly acknowledged by the monarchs of those countries as members of the nobility, although untitled . In Scandinavia, the Benelux nations and Spain there are still untitled as well as titled families recognised in law as noble . </P> <P> In Hungary members of the nobility always theoretically enjoyed the same rights . In practice, however, a noble family's financial assets largely defined its significance . Medieval Hungary's concept of nobility originated in the notion that nobles were "free men", eligible to own land . This basic standard explains why the noble population was relatively large, although the economic status of its members varied widely . Untitled nobles were not infrequently wealthier than titled families, while considerable differences in wealth were also to be found within the titled nobility . The custom of granting titles was introduced to Hungary in the 16th century by the House of Habsburg . Historically, once nobility was granted, if a nobleman served the monarch well he might obtain the title of baron, and might later be elevated to the rank of count . As in other countries of post-medieval central Europe, hereditary titles were not attached to a particular land or estate but to the noble family itself, so that all patrilineal descendants shared a title of baron or count (cf . peerage). Neither nobility nor titles could be transmitted through women . </P> <P> Some con artists sell fake titles of nobility, often with impressive - looking documentation . This may be illegal, depending on local law . They are more often illegal in countries that actually have nobilities, such as European monarchies . In the United States, such commerce may constitute actionable fraud rather than criminal usurpation of an exclusive right to use of any given title by an established class . </P> <P> "Aristocrat" and aristocracy, in modern usage, refer colloquially and broadly to persons who inherit elevated social status, whether due to membership in the (formerly) official nobility or the monied upper class . </P>

Where did the nobles live in medieval times