Noble titles in Poland

[1] For this reason the idea of introducing the noble / aristocratic titles was strongly opposed, with a number of exceptions.

Polish kings had the privilege to grant the title of hrabia, but they did this mostly for foreign nationals, as well as for Lithuanian and Ruthenian aristocrats.

The monarchs of the House of Habsburg as Holy Roman Emperors gave out the titles of counts and dukes Sacri Imperii Romani.

After the Partitions, the junior branch of Poninskis in Galicia (Eastern Europe) received the title of książę (Prinz) from Austria with the coat of arms Poniński (herb książęcy) [pl], while the elder branch received the title of hrabia (Graf) from Prussia with the coat of arms Poniński Hrabia [pl].

[4] According to the Polish Nobility Association, there are quite a few "fraternities" and other organizations which endow their members with noble titles, preying on the ignorant, vain and ambitious.