Grandee

Grandee (/ɡrənˈdiː/; Spanish: Grande Spanish: [ˈɡɾande]; Portuguese: Grande Portuguese: [ˈɡɾɐ̃dɨ]) is a high aristocratic title used by the Spanish nobility, Portuguese nobility and Brazilian nobility. The rank was a rough equivalent of the Peerage of France, and carried — increasingly as time went on — certain personal privileges, but the Grandees had no powers as a group.

It can refer to other people of a somewhat comparable, exalted position, roughly synonymous with magnate; a formal upper level of the nobility (especially when it carried the right to a parliamentary seat). By extension the term can refer informally to any important person of high status, particularly a wealthy, land owning, long-time resident in an area.

The term is often used in the United Kingdom to refer to influential members of long standing in the Labour Party, Conservative Party, and Liberal Democrats. For the 17th-century English usage, see Grandee (New Model Army) below.

Spain

Spanish nobles are classified either as Grandes de España (or simply, 'grandees'), or as Títulos del Reino (titled nobles).