The Mexican nobility were a hereditary nobility of Mexico, with specific privileges and obligations determined in the various political systems that historically ruled over the Mexican territory.
The term is used in reference to various groups throughout the entirety of Mexican history, from formerly ruling indigenous families of the pre-Columbian states of present-day Mexico, to noble Mexican families of Spanish (as well as Mestizo) and other European descent, which include conquistadors and their descendants (ennobled by King Philip II in 1573), untitled noble families of Mexico, and holders of titles of nobility acquired during the Viceroyalty of the New Spain (1521–1821), the First Mexican Empire (1821–1823), and the Second Mexican Empire (1862–1867); as well as bearers of titles and other noble prerogatives granted by foreign powers who have settled in Mexico.
The Political Constitution of Mexico has prohibited the State from recognizing any titles of nobility since 1917. The present United Mexican States does not issue or recognize titles of nobility or any hereditary prerogatives and honors. Informally, however, a Mexican aristocracy remains a part of Mexican culture and its hierarchical society.
Indigenous Mexican nobility
Pre-Columbian nobility
The Mexica, Maya, Olmec, Zapotec, Mixtec, Purépecha, Tlaxcaltec, and many other Indigenous peoples of present-day Mexico developed strong hierarchical societies based on hereditary privileges and obligations which were passed down to individuals in regards to the historical roles played by their ancestors in politics, war and religion. Society was firmly divided between the ruling elites and the governed masses, often making use of specific royal titles like Tlatoani, Tlatoque or Cazonci, in reference to rulers and members of ruling families. The organization of members of noble families in military orders (as the eagle and jaguar warriors), as well as in political functions (as calpixques), derived in the establishment of a hereditary aristocracy with similar characteristics to those found in other parts of the World, often using titles like that of Pipiltin or Pilli in reference to individuals of noble lineage.
Indigenous nobles under Spanish rule
When the Spanish first arrived in present-day Mexico (1518), indigenous rulers and nobles headed the defense of their territories against the invaders, soon after signing peace treaties and alliances to ensure the survival of their people. In this process, many indigenous peoples ended up participating in the military conquests of the Spanish Empire, gaining recognition of their ancient privileges as well as earning new ones due to their merits in the conquest of the Americas. In accordance to Spanish tradition under the Habsburg dynasty, the Crown of Castile recognized the pre-existing social organization of the native peoples and assimilated their ancient elites to the new regime, often offering them the same conditions as nobles of Spanish extraction. In this way, the Spaniards respected the native systems and added to them, sometimes resulting in many unions between Aztec and Spanish nobility.
During Spanish domain, indigenous nobles were referred to as caciques (term imported from the Antilles), maintaining political relevance as rulers of the repúblicas de indios (self-governed indigenous states), as well as receiving access to educational institutions (such as the Jesuit colleges and the Royal and Pontifical University of Mexico), as well as accessing Spanish institutions of organized nobility (like the Spanish military orders). At the time, religious convents were intended for specific social and ethnic groups, being the convents of indias cacicas some of the most privileged (such as the Corpus Christi convent in Mexico City). Nevertheless, the succession laws of Spanish tradition slowly permeated the Amerindian traditions, altering access to this elite class to patrilineal descendants of ancient rulers, in opposition to the mixed-lineal descent of their ancient traditions.
While numerous indigenous families and individuals were recognized as nobles by the Crown of Castile, certain populations who were specially active in the conquest and colonization of what was later known as the New Spain were also distinguished with collective nobility, this included the Tlaxcalan and Quauhquecholan peoples, who collectively gained the condition of hidalgos, a privilege that had only been received by the Basque people of the Iberian Peninsula. Many of these nobles resettled into western and northern Mexico to help pacify tribes there.