Traditionally it was conferred upon women of royal or aristocratic rank, and was often used to mean "Queen".

Starting in the 18th century, it was applied more generally to women who held high social status, but no formal aristocratic rank.

Over the centuries, established noble families were advanced through the aristocratic ranks.

The vicars of St Mary's Church probably had a higher position than elsewhere due to their extraordinary aristocratic rank.

Although poor, the family had their father's distinguished reputation and aristocratic rank.

Oloye an elder of aristocratic rank amongst the Yoruba people of West Africa, though it is usually translated by them as chieftain.

The bone rank system was the system of aristocratic rank used in the ancient Korean kingdom of Silla.

The remains of two men of apparently aristocratic rank were accompanied by over 100 objects including arrowheads, copper knives and the earliest worked gold in the country.

Tribunes were young men of aristocratic rank who often supervised administrative tasks like camp construction.

In 1300, the clergy of St Mary's Church were also granted high secular aristocratic rank.