What do the different aristocratic titles mean?

Question

What is the difference between Dukes, Earls, Barons, Lords, etc.? Are they all related to the royal family in some way? I'm American, so I don't really know how the system of aristocracy works.

Answer 1

A duke is a noble person, historically of highest rank below the King or Queen, and usually controls a duchy or a Dukedom. In the United Kingdom, ducal titles which have been given within the royal family include Duke of Cornwall, Duke of Lancaster, Duke of Clarence, Duke of York, Duke of Gloucester, Duke of Bedford, Duke of Cumberland, Duke of Cambridge, Duke of Rothesay, Duke of Albany, Duke of Ross, Duke of Edinburgh, Duke of Kent, Duke of Sussex, and Duke of Connaught and Strathearn.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duke

In Anglo-Saxon England, earls had authority over their own regions and right of judgement in provincial courts, as delegated by the king. They collected fines and taxes and in return received a "third penny", one-third of the money they collected. In wartime they led the king's armies. Some shires were grouped together into larger units known as earldoms, headed by an ealdorman or earl. Earls originally functioned essentially as royal governors. Though the title of Earl was nominally equal to the continental count, unlike them earls were not de facto rulers in their own right. By the 13th century, earls had a social rank just below the king and princes, but were not necessarily more powerful or wealthier than other noblemen. The only way to become an earl was to inherit the title or marry into one - and the king reserved a right to prevent the transfer of the title. By the 14th century, creating an earl included a special public ceremony where the king personally tied a sword belt around the waist of the new earl, emphasizing the fact that the earl's rights came from him.

Earls still held influence and as "companions of the king", were regarded as supporters of the king's power.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earls

Baron is a specific title of nobility. The word baron comes from Old French baron meaning "freeman, warrior" and Old English beorn meaning "nobleman." William I introduced "baron" as a rank into England to distinguish the men who had pledged their loyalty to him. All who held their barony "in chief of the king" (that is, directly from William and his successors) became alike barones regis (barons of the king), bound to perform a stipulated service, and welcome to attend his council. In the twentieth century Britain introduced the concept of non-hereditary life peers. All appointees to this distinction have taken place at the rank of baron. In addition, Baronies are often subsidiary titles, thus being used as courtesy titles by the eldest sons of earls.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barons

A Lord is a person who has power and authority. It can have different meanings depending on the context of use. Women will usually (but not universally) take the title 'Lady' instead of Lord. Five ranks of peer exist in the UK, namely Duke, Marquess, Earl, Viscount, and Baron; all male peers except dukes use the style "Lord X". The title "Lord" also applies by courtesy to certain of their children, e.g. the younger sons of dukes and marquesses can use the style "Lord (firstname) (lastname)". Many Marquesses, Earls, Viscounts and Barons use the style "Lord (title)".

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lord

Answer 2

I am American,too.It's just a matter of reading and research to find out. The peerage,the non-royal aristocrats,received their titles for doing some sort of service to the monarchy,most of them,many,many years ago. Along with the title came lands,lands that could produce an income. The highest ranking of the non-royal peerage is a Dukedom;a duke with income-producing lands,called a Duchy,was once responsible for running the government-type business for the peoples who lived in his area(this is no longer true).Next in order of precedence is the Marquess,Earl,Viscount,and Baron, all who  could also have lands that produced income as well,but not as much political powers as the Duke.A titled aristocrat often holds more than one title: a duke could also be a marquess,earl and viscount,for example.

As to the relationship between the peerage and the royals: royals can also be dukes,marquesses,earls,etc. Take for example Charles,Prince of Wales, Duke of Cornwall, Duke of Rothesay, Earl of Carrick and Baron Renfrew, Lord of the Isles, and Prince and Great Steward of Scotland. Non-royal peers were given their titles for services to the royals.And some peers do have a blood-relationship to the royal family as well.

Non-peerage baronets and knights use Sir- .