Could you legally keep a title of Count/Duke/Viscount/etc?

Question

Since titles of these nature are no longer used, could someone who was a direct descendant of a family once using these titles maintain these titles legally in modern day and since the date they were dismissed from use?

Answer 1

Why not?  It might not get you anything, but I can't see why you can't use it.  You inherited it, it's yours.

Answer 2

Those titles are in current use in many families. Not all titles are hereditary and some are only hereditary in the male line. In many cases the line has broken and the title is extinct.

If you can demonstrate that you are the legitimate heir to a title that is still able to be inherited you can contact the appropriate body in the country that controls the title, in the UK the College of Arms is the place to go, and submit your claim. If you are the person who inherits the title it will be granted to you.

If you use a title which is not legitimately yours you could face charges of fraud depending on how you use it.