Austrian nobility, usually borne by heads of families whose cadets were generally counts/countesses, although in some mediatized princely families (Reichsfürsten) members were allowed to bear the same title as cadets of royalty: prince/princess (Prinz/Prinzessin) with the style of Serene Highness. Markgraf/Markgräfin (margrave/margravine) Pallavicini Graf/Gräfin (count/countess) Mediatized counts were often entitled to the style of "Illustrious Highness" (Erlaucht). Ranking below them were the comital families of ancient lineage, wealth and influence who were recognized as such in Austria, but had not been Counts of the Empire (Reichsgrafen) prior to 1806; these counts bore the lower style of "High-born" (Hochgeboren). Freiherr/Freifrau/Freiin (baron/baroness) There was no official style, but "Gnädiger Herr" (Gracious Lord), "Gnädige Frau", or "Gnädiges Fräulein" (Gracious Lady) were common forms of address. Although strictly speaking the title was Freiherr, the usage of "Baron" in written and verbal communication was very common, even if incorrect. The title Freiin was also often replaced for "geborene (née) Baronin", which was strictly speaking also incorrect since a Baronin would have been married already. Ritter (knight) There was no official style, but "Gnädiger Herr" was a common form of address. The title was for males only; no female version existed. Female members of a family with the title Ritter however were often addressed as "Edle von", which was incorrect unless the family already carried the Edler honour before being raised to the Ritter class. Edler/Edle The rank of Edler carried no official style, but "Gnädiger Herr" or "Gnädige Frau" were common forms of address. Erbsälzer This title belonged to the patricians of the free city of Werl, in Germany, who had the hereditary (erb-) right to exploit the nearby salt mines (salz). Thus this title was not granted in Austria, but merely recognized there. (von) Lilien (von) Papen Untitled noble families or status unknown Gallery Notes References Literature von Coudenhove-Kalergi, Richard. Adel. Vienna. 1923. Frank-Döfering, Peter. Adelslexikon des österreichischen Kaisertums 1804–1918 (in German). Herder, Vienna 1989. . . Siegert, Heinz. Adel in Österreich(in German). Vienna 1971. Stekl, Hannes. Adel und Bürgertum in der Habsburgermonarchie 18. bis 20. Jahrhundert(in German). Oldenbourg, Vienna 2004. Walterskirchen, Gudula. Blaues Blut für Österreich (in German). Amalthea, Vienna 2000. Walterskirchen, Gudula. Der verborgene Stand. Adel in Österreich heute (in German). Amalthea, Vienna 2007. Der Gotha. Supplement. Der "Österreich-Gotha". Mit Ergänzungswerken zum deutschen Adel (in German). Saur, Munich 1997. External links Vereinigung der Edelleute in Österreich Homepage of the Association of Austrian