well-born
Of noble lineage
Well-born means born into a family of high social standing or noble lineage.
The term suggests inherited status rather than earned position: a well-born young lady, His well-born ancestors would have been horrified.
The word is somewhat old-fashioned, belonging to eras when birth determined social destiny more rigidly than today.
Titled ruling class
- peerageSystem of noble ranks
- aristocracyRule by hereditary elite
- gentryHighborn but not noble
- patricianHighborn Roman elite
duke · duchess · marquis · earl · countess · viscount · baron · baronet
Superior select group
- upper-classSocially and economically privileged
- advantagedHaving benefits others lack
- finishing-schoolInstitution teaching refined manners
- exclusiveLimited to one group
genteel · refined · cultivated · landed · propertied · establishment · birthright · entitlement
nobility
Titled ruling class
- peerageSystem of noble ranks
- aristocracyRule by hereditary elite
- gentryHighborn but not noble
patrician · duke · duchess · marquis · earl · countess · viscount · baron · baronet · ladyship
elite
Superior select group
- upper-classSocially and economically privileged
- advantagedHaving benefits others lack
- finishing-schoolInstitution teaching refined manners
exclusive · genteel · refined · cultivated · landed · propertied · establishment · birthright · entitlement
ancestry
Family line of descent
genealogy · descent · forebears · progenitors · dynasty · house · extraction · stock · breeding · parentage