In addition to the descendants of the ruling dynasty of the conquered country or incorporated in the empire, dynastic families of the princes of the how to lose weight fast and others belonged to the noble descendants of the Vikings, knights of German, enriched, ennobled the burghers and peasants how to lose weight fast nobility was also diverse, although dominated by representatives of the European part and the peoples of the Caucasus. In addition, many countries are included in the empire retained its own social structure, with a layer of his own nobility. This was especially true of Asia, where the ancestral and tribal aristocracy served continues leadership role, often without having to give ogólnoimperialnego nobility.

In the Grand Duchy of Moscow and Russian carstwie initially formed a layer of noble boyars (бояре), derived from the warriors of the team and the prince. Initially, (XII-XV century) were a powerful force, having the rights and privileges similar to the prerogatives of the largest Western European feudal lords. As the strengthening of royal power was limited privileges of the boyars. As allies of the ruler appeared newly created nobility and gentry being vassals of the boyars. Until the seventeenth century, has significantly changed the composition of the nobility, most of the great boyar families died out or lost fortunes. Their place was taken by the new nobility and lesser boyars. Also obscure the difference between the boyars and nobles (dworianstwem) and the landed gentry class emerged, holding for life or hereditary estates. At the time of the absolute power of the tsars and emperors of Russia, the political importance of the nobility has been severely limited. However, due to the size of the state and expanded bureaucratic apparatus still remained high until the revolution. The basis of economic power was from the first half of the nobility. Seventeenth century and serfdom - the great estates of landlords. For the times of Peter I have been using only one aristocratic title - Prince (Prince, князь), the rest of the nobility was no separate hierarchical titles, the highest rank of nobility was Moscow, the lowest urban nobility. Princely title only entitled originally descendants of the Tsar's family and dynastic princes. Only at the beginning. Eighteenth century, this title was given special recognition as ordinary nobility.

In 1722 decree of Peter I introduced a system modeled on the Western European titles of nobility, including previously unknown in Russia, the titles of Count and Baron. Was introduced division into personal and hereditary nobility. Have been established strict rules acquire a new nobility, and for example the first officer's rank in the army and fleet will automatically give personal nobility, and the rank of colonel or naval captain - hereditary. Also, the higher orders received bachelors ennoblement.