Freiherr (German for "Free Lord") is a title of lower nobility in Germany, the Baltic states and Austria-Hungary, considered equal to the title Baron. When addressed, a German Freiherr is styled "Baron", although this is not the formal title. The title derives from the fact that the holder held free title to his land (unlike ordinary barons, who were originally knights (Ritter)). A Freiherr usually held administrative and judgeship rights on behalf of the territorial lord -- the duke or count. A title is a prefix or suffix added to a persons name to signify either veneration, an official position or a professional or academic qualification. ... // English Title of Nobility (footnotes at bottom of entry) From the beginning, English law hardly knew anything of a noble or a gentle class. ... Austria-Hungary, also known as the Dual monarchy (or: the k. ... Baron is a specific title of nobility or a more generic feudal qualification. ... The term duke is a title of nobility which refers to the sovereign male ruler of a Continental European duchy, to a nobleman of the highest grade of the British peerage, or to the highest rank of nobility in various other European countries, including Portugal, Spain and France (in Italy... A count is a nobleman in most European countries, equivalent in rank to a British earl, whose wife is still a countess (for lack of an Anglo-Saxon term). ...

The wife of a Freiherr is called Freifrau ("Free Lady"), a daughter of a Freiherr is called Freiherrin, often shortened Freiin. Freifrau (German for Free Lady) is a title of lower nobility in Germany, and Austria-Hungary, considered equal to the title Baronin. ...

Usage note: Noble titles have been abolished in Germany since 1918; they are now simply part of the family name, and they may or may not be used. They do, however, have high prestige in some circles of society. Jump to: navigation, search 1918 was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar (see link for calendar) or a common year starting on Wednesday of the Julian calendar. ...

The same title is used in Sweden and to some extent in Denmark(-Norway) and Finland; in Scandinavian it is spelled friherre and in Finnish vapaaherra. The North Germanic languages (also Scandinavian languages or Nordic languages) is a branch of the Germanic languages spoken in Scandinavia, parts of Finland and on the Faroe Islands and Iceland. ...

In accordance with English practice, a Nobleman who holds a Freiherr title may sometimes be styled Lord in English-speaking countries. A lord is a male who has power and authority. ...

External link

• Nobility FAQ