Genoese nobility

Genoese nobility refers to the privileged aristocratic class in Genoa, a powerful maritime republic from the Middle Ages to the early modern period. Noble families held social, political, and economic influence through landownership, trade, and maritime pursuits. They often formed tight-knit, exclusive groups that maintained their status via hereditary titles, alliances, and participation in governance, such as the ruling councils. While Genoa's nobility was less rigid than in some kingdoms, social rank was important for access to wealth and power in the republic's vibrant trading society.