Cuban nobility encompasses all the individuals and families recognized inCuba as members of the aristocratic class, hence possessing inheritance privileges.
The 19th centurySpanish Empire saw much of its power weakened by its rival countries (France and theUnited Kingdom), it also saw many of its colonies in America being influenced by the republican ideologies of the recently independentUnited States. In an effort to strengthen its holdings, theSpanish Crown decided to granttitles of nobility to much of the colonial aristocracy. This bestowing of royal grace made the recipients loyal to the Crown, and more assimilated to theIberian titled nobility. No other Spanish colony received as many grants of noble titles asCuba, a jewel of the late Spanish Empire.
The Cuban aristocracy had always attempted to create a second Paris or Madrid in its main cities ofHavana,Matanzas andSantiago de Cuba. Elegant, richly decorated manors, governmental buildings,opera houses, play houses, palaces, etc. covered the streets of the capital. The Spanish Crown was not the only entity to award titles of nobility, theCatholic Church made use of its authority to also award titles in the island. Families, through marriage and inheritance, also bore European titles, such as those fromFrance,Italy (including the formerKingdom of Naples and theTwo Sicilies) as well asGermany.
The non-royal titles issued in Cuba follow the Spanish designation and resembled those ofcontinental Europe. They were those of:Duke (Duque),Marquis (Marqués),Count (Conde),Viscount (Vizconde),Baron (Barón),Lord (Señor)—in that order of importance andsocial standing. The title ofGrandee of Spain was usually annexed to another noble title but may also be bestowed on a person without a traditional noble title, in the last case the person would have Grandee of Spain written after his name; all Grandees are addressed asExcellency, the title being equal to that of a Duke and all Dukes are Grandees. Titles bestowed often had the name of a place in Cuba (e.g. Marqués de Pinar del Rio, Conde de Yumurí), the surname of the family (e.g. Marqués de Azpesteguia, Conde de Casa (house) Montalvo) or in remembrance of some Royal favor or deed (e.g. Marqués de la Gratitud, Marqués de la Real Proclamación).
After theCuban War of Independence andSpanish–American War ended in 1898, many of these nobles stayed in the island, or moved to other former Spanish colonies, such asPuerto Rico; some returned to Spain. Althoughthe new Republic of Cuba did not give itself the power to create and bestow new titles of nobility, it did not interfere with the already established tradition. Many families who possessed noble titles continued to use them, and the public respected their historical meaning andsocial position.
This all changed with theCuban Revolution of 1959; soon theCommunist government moved against these nobles, forcing many to return to Spain or into exile in the United States.[1]
The last pre-1898 nobleman to live in Cuba, Don Ignacio Ponce de León y Ponce de León, Marqués de Aguas Claras and Count de Casa Ponce de León y Maroto, died in Havana in 1973 leaving a remaining descendant.
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