Many noble surnames include words such as "gold-" or "golden", "silver-", "sword" or symbols which are used on family's coat of arms. Among your ancestors you may also find names constructed from animals ("Wolf", "Lion") etc. Noble surnames often, but not always, seem unusual and different (which of course was a way to make it stand out).

An incholate is typically geographical predicate attached to a noble family. E.g. for Prince of Wales, "Wales" is incholate. Incholates in another sense can be used by Church dignitaries, e.g. "Titular Bishop of X Y ". In many cases incholate was family's domains, but later developed into a titular attribute. In some families loss of geographical domain caused them to write nobiliary title between their first name and surname - hence it was no longer "Count X Y", but "X Count Y", as family name became new incholate. Any incholate found among your ancestors should be carefully examined.

Slowly a chivalric ideal developed, and chivalric virtues such as bravery and gallantry were praised.

As military importance of knights decreased during 14th and 15th centuries, chivalric system became more of a cultural institution. The knights became more closely attached to royal and princely courts, and more importance was given to heraldry and various ceremonies. It became increasingly more common for king or prince to create new nobles by means of letters patent, and soon this newly created titular nobility had by far outnumbered original nobility. During 16th, 17th and 18th centuries creation of new nobles in many countries became so extensive they were soon regarded as "only" and "real" nobility. The original nobility had by then in many cases lost their original landed properties, due to ward and seizures, and along with them recognition they once enjoyed.

So it was that exception became rule (patent nobility) and substance was replaced by shadow (landed properties with honorific titles). But until this day it remains true that "Laws may be changed, privileges may expire. But duties to Fatherland remain. And once those duties are fulfilled, little does it worry true nobility where its position in society is put" (Count Gustaf Lagerbjelke, 1866).