Ritter (German for "knight") is a designation used as a title of nobility in German-speaking areas.
Traditionally it denotes the second-lowest rank within the nobility, standing above "Edler" and below "Freiherr" (Baron).
As with most titles and designations within the nobility in German-speaking areas, the rank was hereditary and generally was used with the nobiliary particle of von or zu before a family name.
Even today, members of the Central European Order of St. George, which goes back to Emperor Maximilian and was later reactivated by the Habsburgs after its dissolution by Nazi Germany, are "Ritter" (knights).
[3] In addition to the described system, Württemberg introduced orders of merit beginning in the late 18th century, which also conferred nobility as "Ritter von" but kept the title limited to the recipient's lifetime (see Military Order of Max Joseph).