Freiherr
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Freiherr (German for "Free Lord") is a title of lower nobility in Germany, 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 peasant farmers and serfs in the Middle Ages). A Freiherr usually held administrative and judgeship rights on behalf of the territorial lord -- the duke or count.
The wife of a Freiherr is called Freifrau ("Free Lady"), a daughter of a Freiherr is called Freiin.
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.
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.
External link
- Nobility FAQ (http://www.genealogienetz.de/misc/nobility_faq.html)de:Freiherr
nl:Freiherr no:Friherre pl:Freiherr fi:Vapaaherra sv:Friherre