Nobility is a traditional hereditary status (see hereditary titles) that exists today in many countries (mainly present or former monarchies). The term originally referred to those who were "known" or "notable" and was applied to the highest social class in pre-modern societies. In the feudal system (in Europe and elsewhere), the nobility were generally those who held a fief, often land and/or office, under vassalage, i.e. in exchange for allegiance and various, mainly military, services to the Monarch and at lower levels to another nobleman. It rapidly came to be seen as a hereditary caste, sometimes associated with a right to bear a hereditary title and, for example in pre-revolutionary France, enjoying fiscal and other privileges. Today, in most countries, "noble status" is a purely honorary dignity that confers no legal privileges; an important exception is the United Kingdom, where certain titles (titles of the peerage, until recently guaranteeing a seat in the Upper House of Westminster Parliament, hence its name House of Lords), still confer some residual privileges.

Nobility is a historical, social and often legal notion, which should not be confused with socio-economic status which is mainly statistical based on income and posessions. Being wealthy or influential does not automatically make one a noble, nor are all present-day nobles wealthy and influential (some aristocratic families have lost their fortunes through various means).

Countries without a feudal tradition, such as the United States, do not have a nobility as such. Although the United States, like almost every society, has a privileged 'upper class' with great wealth and power, this does not entail a separate legal status, or different forms of address. Though this is true, many, if not most, of the presidents of the United States have been direct descendants of British royalty.

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