Qing Dynasty nobility

The Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) of China developed a complicated peerage system for ranking nobility. All titles were to be inherited by a noble's eldest son, but always one grade lower. There were instances, however, where an emperor approved of a title being hereditary (i.e. inherited by the bearer's descendants over generations). This was regarded as an honour by the bearer of the title. Princes of the imperial clan were allowed to pass on their titles to their descendants without having the grades of their titles reduced. These princes were known as "Iron Cap Princes".

1 Imperial clan
2 Nobility
3 See also

Imperial clan

Direct male descendants

The following titles were granted solely to direct male-line descendants of an emperor:

Heshuo Qinwang (simplified Chinese: 和硕亲王; traditional Chinese: 和碩親王; pinyin: Héshuò Qīnwáng; Manchu: Hošoi Cin Wang), commonly simplified to Qinwang, translated as "Prince of the First Rank" or "Prince of the Blood". "Heshuo" ("Hošoi") means "four corners, four sides" in Manchu.
- Shizi (Chinese: 世子; pinyin: Shìzǐ) refers to the heir apparent to a Qinwang.

Duoluo Junwang (simplified Chinese: 多罗郡王; traditional Chinese: 多羅郡王; pinyin: Duōluó Jùnwáng; Manchu: Doroi Giyūn Wang), commonly simplified to Junwang, translated as "Prince of the Second Rank" or "Prince of a Commandery".
- Zhangzi (simplified Chinese: 长子; traditional Chinese: 長子; pinyin: Zhángzǐ) refers to the heir apparent to a Junwang.

Duoluo Beile (simplified Chinese: 多罗贝勒; traditional Chinese: 多羅貝勒; pinyin: Duōluó Bèilè; Manchu: Doroi Beile), means "Lord" in Manchu, commonly simplified to Beile. It was usually granted to the son of a Qinwang or Junwang.

Gushan Beizi (simplified Chinese: 固山贝子; traditional Chinese: 固山貝子; pinyin: Gùshān Bèizǐ; Manchu: Gūsai Beise), commonly simplified to Beizi. The "Gushan" ("Gūsai") means "banner" in Manchu, a reference to either of the Eight Banners. "Beizi" ("Beise") is the plural form of "Beile", but since 1636 "Beile" and "Beizi" are used to refer to two different grades of nobility.

Female members

The following titles were granted to female members of the imperial clan:

Gulun Gongzhu (simplified Chinese: 固伦公主; traditional Chinese: 固倫公主; pinyin: Gùlún Gōngzhǔ), translated as "State Princess", "Kurun Princess" or "Princess of the First Rank". It was usually granted to a princess born to an empress. "Gulun" means "under Heaven" in Manchu.

Heshuo Gongzhu (simplified Chinese: 和硕公主; traditional Chinese: 和碩公主; pinyin: Héshuò Gōngzhǔ; Manchu: Hošoi Gungju), translated as "Heshuo Princess" or "Princess of the Second Rank". It was usually granted to a princess born to a consort or concubine. "Heshuo" ("Hošoi") means "four corners, four sides" in Manchu.

Junzhu (Chinese: 郡主; pinyin: Jùnzhǔ), translated as "Princess of a Commandery". It was usually granted to the daughter of a Qinwang.

Junjun (Chinese: 郡君; pinyin: Jùnjūn), translated as "Lady of a Commandery". It was usually granted to a daughter born to a secondary spouse of a Qinwang, or the daughter of a Beile.

Xianzhu (simplified Chinese: 县主; traditional Chinese: 縣主; pinyin: Xiànzhǔ), translated as "Princess of a County". It was usually granted to the daughter of a Junwang or Shizi.

Xianjun (simplified Chinese: 县君; traditional Chinese: 縣君; pinyin: Xiànjūn), translated as "Lady of a County". It was usually granted to the daughter of a Beizi.

Other titles

Other titles granted to members of the imperial clan include:

Guo Gong (simplified Chinese: 国公; traditional Chinese: 國公; pinyin: Guó Gōng), translated as "National Duke". It was divided into two sub-grades as follows:
- Feng'en Zhenguo Gong (simplified Chinese: 奉恩镇国公; traditional Chinese: 奉恩鎮國公; pinyin: Fèng'ēn Zhènguó Gōng; Manchu: Kesi-be Tuwakiyara Gurun-be Dalire Gung), translated as "Duke Who Receives Grace and Guards the Nation", simplified to "Duke Who Guards the Nation".
- Feng'en Fuguo Gong (simplified Chinese: 奉恩辅国公; traditional Chinese: 奉恩輔國公; pinyin: Fèng'ēn Fǔguó Gōng; Manchu: Kesi-be Tuwakiyara Gurun-de Aisilara Gung), translated as "Duke Who Receives Grace and Assists the Nation", simplified to "Duke Who Assists the Nation".

Jiangjun (simplified Chinese: 将军; traditional Chinese: 將軍; pinyin: Jiāngjūn), translated as "General". It was divided into four sub-grades, with each further segmented into sub-classes. Two examples of "General" titles are listed as follows:
- Zhenguo Jiangjun (simplified Chinese: 镇国将军; traditional Chinese: 鎮國將軍; pinyin: Zhènguó Jiāngjūn), translated as "General Who Guards the Nation".
- Fuguo Jiangjun (simplified Chinese: 辅国将军; traditional Chinese: 輔國將軍; pinyin: Fǔguó Jiāngjūn), translated as "General Who Assists the Nation".

Efu (simplified Chinese: 额驸; traditional Chinese: 額駙; pinyin: Éfù) or Fuma (simplified Chinese: 驸马; traditional Chinese: 駙馬; pinyin: Fùmǎ), translated as "Prince Consort". It was usually granted to the spouse of a princess.

Nobility

The following are the nine grades of the peerage awarded for valour, achievement and distinction. All but the lowest two grades are further divided into sub-classes.

Min Gong (Chinese: 民公; pinyin: Mín Gōng), commonly simplified to Gong, translated as "Duke". The title of Gong was granted to commoners while Guo Gong was reserved only for members of the imperial clan.
Hou (Chinese: 侯; pinyin: Hóu), translated as "Marquis" or "Marquess".
Bo (Chinese: 伯; pinyin: Bó), translated as "Count".
Zi (Chinese: 子; pinyin: Zǐ), translated as "Viscount".
Nan (Chinese: 男; pinyin: Nán), translated as "Baron".
Qingche Duwei (simplified Chinese: 轻车都尉; traditional Chinese: 輕車都尉; pinyin: Qīngchē Dūwèi), rough equivalent of Knight Grand Cross of a chivalric order.
Qiduwei (simplified Chinese: 骑都尉; traditional Chinese: 騎都尉; pinyin: Qí Dūwèi), rough equivalent of Knight Commander or Grand Officer of a chivalric order.
Yunqiwei (simplified Chinese: 云骑尉; traditional Chinese: 雲騎尉; pinyin: Yún Qíwèi), rough equivalent of Companion or Commander of a chivalric order.
Enqiwei (simplified Chinese: 恩骑尉; traditional Chinese: 恩騎尉; pinyin: Ēn Qíwèi), rough equivalent of Officer of a chivalric order.