Swedish ancient nobility (Swedish: uradel) is the term used for families whose de facto status as nobility was formalised by the Ordinance of Alsnö in 1280. These noble families have no original patents of nobility, the first known being from 1360. [5]

Uradel (German: [ʔuːɐ̯ˈʔaːdl̩], German: "ancient nobility"; [1] adjective uradelig or uradlig) is a genealogical term introduced in late 18th-century Germany to distinguish those families whose noble rank can be traced to the 14th century or earlier. [2] .

A family whose nobility dates back to at least the 14th century may be called Uradel, or Alter Adel ("ancient nobility", [15] or "old nobility"). This contrasts with Briefadel ("patent nobility"): nobility granted by letters patent. The first known such document is from September 30, 1360, for Wyker Frosch in Mainz. [16]

Die gothaischen genealogischen Taschenbücher benutzten diesen Begriff in der ab 1900 erscheinenden adeligen Reihe für jene Familien, die dem deutschen ritterbürtigen Landadel angehörten und deren zeitliches Hineinwachsen in den Adel nur in den seltensten Fällen näher festgestellt werden konnte.

Uradel (ancient nobility): Nobility that dates back to at least the 1500s, and originates from leadership positions during the Migration Period. This contrasts with: Briefadel (patent nobility): Nobility by letters patent. The first known such document is from September 30, 1360 for Wyker Frosch in Mainz.

A family whose nobility dates back to at least the 14th century may be called Uradel (or Alter Adel). This contrasts with Briefadel (“patent nobility”): Nobility granted by letters patent . The first known such document is from September 30, 1360, for Wyker Frosch in Mainz.

Uradel (German for ancient nobility) is a genealogical term introduced in late 18th-century Germany to distinguish those families whose noble rank can be traced to the 14th century or earlier. The term is in juxtaposition of the word Briefadel, a term used for titles of nobility created in the early modern period or modern history by letters ...

Families that had been considered noble as early as pre-1400s Germany (i.e., the Uradel or "ancient nobility") were usually eventually recognised by a sovereign, confirming their entitlement to whatever legal privileges nobles enjoyed in that sovereign's realm.

In general this 19th century romantic term refers to noble families who are of so old age that their date of ennoblement is unknown. The opposite term is Briefadel, i.e. families who have received letters patent.

The term “Uradel” (ancient nobility) refers to noble families who are of such old age that their date of ennoblement is unknown, with the “threshold date” usually being circa 1420. According to the House of Nobility, there are 34 extant families of ancient origin.