Nobile, traditionally abbreviated to Nob., is an Italian hereditary title borne by a noble who ranks similarly or just below a baron, similar to the rank of a baronet in England or Freiherr in Germany. Unlike higher Italian titles which are typically referred to in lieu of an individual's name, nobile is used immediately before the given and surnames, usually in the abbreviated form Nob.. It is often abbreviated to "N.H." for men or "N.D." for women, just prior the first name. The word “nobile” is derived from the Latin “nobilis”, meaning honourable. The heraldic coronet of a nobile consists of a jewelled circlet of gold surmounted by five pearls, either on stems or set directly upon the rim. The armorial shield of a nobile is surmounted by a silver helm displayed in a ¾ side-view and surmounted by the coronet already described. It is typically displayed above the shield in the full heraldic achievement associated with a noble's the specific title.
History
The rank of nobile had existed for centuries, used to denote either titled nobles. In this connection, however, by 1800 many signori in Sicily and vassals in Piedmont were recognised as barons, whereas formerly they would have been simple nobili. Prior to the creation of the Kingdom of Italy, the Heraldic Court of Milan awarded and registered the term nobile as a title of nobility, until Napoléon's army overran the Austrian Habsburg-controlled Duchy of Milan in 1796. When such a title was granted, the coat of arms of the new “nobile” was entered into the Book of Coat of Arms of Maria Teresa of Austria, along with a painting of the arms concerned. The records of such grants and the depictions of their corresponding arms show that, at that period, the title of nobile did not include a corresponding coronet of rank. Following the creation and formal proclamation of the Kingdom of Italy in 1861, the existing Consulta Araldica, thenceforth denoted as the Italian Heraldic College, recorded nobile as the lowest rank in the hierarchy of Italian titles of nobility.
