European aristocrats
In Chinese, the aristocratic system in Britain and France is usually used as a reference. The aristocratic system in the west is divided into five grades according to Chinese titles, namely: Duke, Marquis, Earl, Earl, Viscount, Baron, Prince and Grand Duke.
The aristocratic system in western countries is similar to that in Britain, but there are also differences. For example, German titles are divided into 15, Polish titles are divided into four levels (excluding viscount), and Hungarian titles are divided into three levels (excluding marquis and viscount).
Noble spirit
First of all, the aristocratic spirit should have three important pillars. First, cultural cultivation, resisting the temptation of material desires, not taking pleasure as the purpose of life, and cultivating noble moral sentiments and cultural spirit.
Second, it is the responsibility of society. As a social elite, be strict with self-discipline, cherish honor, help the disadvantaged groups, and assume the responsibilities of society and the state.
Third, a free soul, with independent will, dares to say no in front of power and money.
The noble spirit is different from the noble itself, the latter is a clear class, while the former is the goodwill of the general public to the word "noble". In other words, the so-called aristocratic spirit is not a common feature of the aristocratic class itself, but a mixed product of the good character that the general public hopes the aristocratic class can generally possess and what the aristocratic class itself should be self-disciplined.
One more thing about the top ten surnames of European aristocrats. In ancient times, aristocrats generally had only first names and no surnames. From 1 1 century, some nobles took fiefs as their surnames, and then ordinary people and civilians imitated them and chose their surnames.
Since the Renaissance, Christianity began to require the registration of surnames, and surnames began to be widely used. It has been about 4000 years since the British really had a surname.