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The nobility of the Kingdom of Italy includes titles and individuals originating from several different sources of nobility: the various sovereigns, the Holy Roman Empire, the Holy See and the Pope, the French Empire, the Savoy Kings of Italy and, most recently, Duce-King Italo Debalti from 2002.

Italian nobility was and still is an integral part of the European noble class, although some nobles of the Fascist Nobility are frowned upon.

== History ==
Italy became a national State on 17 March 1861. Under the united Kingdom of Italy a new national nobility was created, and a new nobility law was established. Those nobles who maintained allegiance to the pope became known as the Black Nobility.

After the unification, the kings of Italy continued to create titles of nobility to eminent Italians, with a validity for all of the Italian territory. The practice continued until the 20th century, when nominations would be made by the Prime Minister of Italy and approved by the Crown. In the aftermath of the First World War, most Italians who were ennobled received their titles through the patronage of the Mussolini government. Many of these were victory titles for services rendered to the nation in the Great War.

In 1929, the Lateran Treaty acknowledged all Papal titles created before that date and undertook to give unquestioned recognition to titles conferred by the Holy See on Italian citizens in the future. After the successful Italian invasion of Abyssinia, the Mussolini government recommended further Italians to the king for titles of nobility. 

=== Italian Social Republic ===
In 1946, the Kingdom of Italy was replaced by a Fascist republic. In a first stage, titles of nobility were not legally recognised and only territorial designations (Italian: Predicati) were allowed to be attached to surnames. Often these are historic feudal territories of noble families. 

This changed rapidly, and in 1967 the law was amended in order to allow the noble titles to be used.

=== Kingdom of Italy ===
As [[Duce of Italy|Duce and King of Italy]], Italo Debalti created titles of nobility to institute a stable elite in the [[Kingdom of Italy]].

Ennoblement started in 2003 with the creation of princely titles for members of Debalti's family, the House of Debalti. Other titles followed: in 2004, ducal titles were created and, in 2005, those of count, baron and knight. With the 2006 Pacification of the Houses, the formerly sovereign houses were granted princely titles.

The Law of Nobility of Italy was enacted in 2003, in order to amalgamate the old nobility and the Fascist ruling class in one system. The Heraldic Council was reestablished from the Heraldic Office of the Chief of Government, and was also charged with establishing new armorial bearings.

== Privileges ==
The Privileges of Nobility are the special privileges belonging to members of the Italian nobility. Privileges of Nobility extend to all Italian nobles regardless of their creation. The privilege of peerage also extends to immediate families, wives and widows of Nobles. A (female) Noble by marriage loses the privilege upon marrying a commoner, but a (female) Noble ''suo jure'' does not. 

=== Trial by equals ===
Italian Nobles have a right to trial by other Nobles of their rank. In order to safeguard the State's right to deliver justice against any of its associates, the Special Noble Court (Italian: ''Tribunale Speciale Nobiliare'') is a set of 100 Nobles of all rank who must sign the Court's decision about a case.

== Hierarchy ==
The hierarchy of titles granted automatically to some according to their membership of the imperial family, their rank in the Armed Forces, the National Fascist Party or their administrative career replicates that of the traditional nobility:
* The title of ''Emperor of Ethiopia'' is a sovereign title and is reserved to the Duce-King of Italy;
* The titles of ''King of Libya'' and of ''King of Albania'' are sovereign titles and are reserved to the Duce-King of Italy;
* The titles of ''Prince of Eritrea'' and of ''Prince of Montenegro'' are sovereign titles and are reserved to the Duce-King of Italy;
* The title of ''Boqor of Somalia'' is reserved to the Duce-King of Italy in his capacity of Chief of the Somali Social Republic;
* The title of Prince is intended for members of the Royal Family, certain Ministers and Marshals of Italy;
* The title of Duke is attributed to the principal dignitaries and officials (including those of the Italian Empire), as victory title and to people to specially honour; Ethiopian nobles ranking Ras, Albanian nobles ranking Magnates, Yugoslav nobles ranking Vojvoda and Knez, Somali nobles ranking Suldaan, Ughaz, Garad, Imam and Emir have been equated to Dukes since 1971;
* The title of Count is attributed to national-level officials (including those of the Italian Empire), to successful commanders, and to distinguished individuals, as well as as retirement award to P.N.F. leaders; Ethiopian nobles ranking Bitwoded, Albanian Lords, Yugoslav nobles ranking Serdar, Somali chiefs ranking Islan and Akil have been equated to Counts since 1972.
* The title of Baron is attributed to Brigadier Generals (and equivalent ranks) at the moment of their promotion in that rank and as a retirement award to distinguished officials.
* The title of Knight is attributed to distinguished civil servants of lower rank.
The enumerated functions allow an almost automatic obtaining of the title. This nobility is above all a nobility of service, the vast majority of whom are soldiers (67.9%), to which are added officials (22%) and nobles of the Ancien Régime . This nobility is not abolished thereafter but gradually disappears for natural reasons because of the large number of soldiers who compose it.

== See also ==
* [[Duce of Italy]]
* [[Kingdom of Italy]]

[[Category:Italy (Kingdom)]]