As part of the republican constitution that became effective in Italy on 1 January 1948,titles ofnobility ceased to be recognized in law (although they were not, strictly, abolished orbanned), and theorgan of state which had regulated them, theConsulta Araldica, was abolished.[1] However the so-calledpredicati — territorial ormanorial designations that were often connected to a noble title by use of anobiliary particle such asdi,da,della,dei, could be resumed as part of the legal surname uponjudicial approval for persons who possessed it prior to 28 October 1922 (date ofItalian fascism's accession to power).[2] In practice, this meant that, e.g., "John Doe, Duke of Somewhere" or "Princess Jane of Kingdom" might become "John Doedi Somewhere" or "Janedella Kingdom", respectively. Nonetheless, titles are often still used unofficially in villages, private clubs and some social sets.Signore andSignora (formerly signifyinglanded nobility) are translations of "Lord" and "Lady", used also in the militaryhierarchy and for persons in official positions or for members of a society'selite. A few titles are also common in diminutive form asterms of affection for young people (e.g.Principino for "Princeling" orContessina for "the Little Countess").
Cavaliere Ereditario (Baronet) / no female equivalent[2]
Use of the prefix "Don" as a style for certain persons of distinction spread to theKingdom of Naples andSicily during the Spanish domination of southern Italy in the 16th century. Officially, it was thestyle to address anoble (as distinct from areigning) prince (principe) or duke (duca), and their children andagnatic descendants. Any Italian monarch (as in Spain) might informally be addressed or referred to with this prefix, for example KingCarlos III of Spain was widely known in hisNeapolitan realm as "Don Carlo".Genealogical databases anddynastic works still reserve the title for this class of noble by tradition, although it is no longer a right under Italian law. In practice, especially in the countryside,Don was also used as an honorific title for untitled noblemen, such as knights. The feminine isDonna.
The President of the Republic can award "honours of the Republic". These are:
Medals (Gold, Silver, Bronze) to persons or entity for merit or valor
Knighthood (Cavaliere di Gran Croce, Grande Ufficiale, Commendatore – comm., Cavaliere Ufficiale – cav. uff., Cavaliere – cav.) of five Orders (Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana, Ordine Militare d'Italia, Ordine al Merito del Lavoro, Ordine della Stella d'Italia, Ordine di Vittorio Veneto)
Ordine Militare d'Italia (Military Order of Italy) rewards the actions of units of the armed forces or by individual soldiers, demonstrating expertise, responsibility and valour. The title may be given posthumously
Ordine al Merito del Lavoro (Order of Merit for Labour) for those who have worked with skilfulness, contributing to the development of the nation and improving the status of the workers
Ordine della Stella d'Italia (Order of the Star of Italy) for a contribution to the post-war reconstruction of Italy
Ordine di Vittorio Veneto (Order of Vittorio Veneto) for Italian soldiers of the First World War
In addition, the Orders of Chivalry of the RoyalHouse of Savoy and other Italian dynasties may confer honorifics (Cavaliere and Dama), as do the Holy See and the Order of Malta. Oddly, the Italian Republic bestows the rank of knight but not that of dame, though ladies may be decorated with knightly rank.
Presidente – pres. (President): used for the President of the Republic, or for the President of the Senate, of the Chamber of Deputies, of the Council of Ministers (Prime Minister), of the Constitutional Court, of a Region Council, for Judges president of a Court
Presidente emerito – pres. em. (Emeritus President): used for former President of the Republic
Senatore – sen. (Senator): some are for life (ex-Presidents of the Republic and persons who 'glorified' the Country)
Onorevole - on. (Honourable): member of the Chamber of Deputies and member of the municipal Council of Rome.
Dottore / Dottoressa – dott. (Doctor; in Italy it is used for any person holding a university degree. This often confuses foreigners.)
Dottore / Dottoressa magistrale - dott. mag. (Magistral Doctor; More specific title for people holding alaurea magistrale the Italian equivalent to amaster degree)
Dottore / Dottoressa di ricerca - dott. ric. ( Doctor of research; More specific title for people holding adottorato di ricerca the Italian equivalent to aDoctorate, this title is the equivalent of the EnglishDoctor)
Professore – prof. / Professoressa – prof.ssa (Professor, used for university professors, and, informally only, for high school teachers and university lecturers)
Full professors in the university are most formally addressed asChiarissimo Professor (Chiar.mo Prof.), derived from Latinclarus which meant famed. University headmasters (Rettore) are formally addressed asMagnifico Rettore (Magnificent Headmaster).
Geometra – geom. (land surveying and construction).
Perito – per. (degree of technical extraction in a specific branch, such as chemistry or mechanics or naval or nautical; in some cases, however, aperito holds no more than a three-year universitylaurea.)
Maestro / Maestra (degree from a music conservatory or educational program). Note, however, that grade-school teachers of all levels are frequently called "maestro" in common, everyday use, while high-school teachers are called "professore").
University degrees:
Dottore – dott. (all people holding alaurea degree). Thelaurea was previously the only academic degree given by Italian Universities. With the Riforma Universitaria, the Italian system has moved closer to conformity with the rest of Europe and North America.Laurea may now refer to a three-year degree (thelaurea triennale) or to alaurea magistrale, or master's degree, which requires two additional years of study. The former confers the titledottore; holders of the latter receive the academic titledottore magistrale.
Avvocato – avv. (Lawyer, alaurea specialistica in law and a state-exam are both required.)
Ingegnere – ing. (Engineer, alaurea specialistica in engineering and a state-exam are both required.)
Architetto – arch. (Architect, alaurea specialistica in architecture and a state-exam are both required.)
Dottore di Ricerca (holder of aPh.D., literally "Doctor of Research").
Besides normal titles, there are some honorifics that are peculiar to the Catholic Church, being found in European countries of Catholic tradition:
Don/Dom - used for members of thesecular clergy, more a form of address than a title as such, don comes from a medieval styling for very esteemed persons, it is a colloquial form of Dominus - the Latin for Lord, Sir. It is still used for Bishops, or citizens in some areas (as inSpain,Portugal andLatin America).
prevosto:provost - title used in northern Italy and Tuscany for important parish priests.
arciprete:archpriest - usually used for the senior priest in an important or significant town that is not a bishop's seat, i.e. not the centre of adiocese.
canonico:canon - the senior priests attached to the cathedral, who have specialliturgical and administrative responsibilities both there and in the diocese.
^"Governo Italiano".La Costituzione della Repubblica Italiana: Disposizioni Transitorie e Finali §XIV (in Italian). Presidenza del Consiglio dei Ministri. Retrieved2006-12-04.I titoli nobiliari non sono riconosciuti. I predicati di quelli esistenti prima del 28 ottobre 1922 valgono come parte del nome. l'Ordine mauriziano è conservato come ente ospedaliero e funziona nei modi stabiliti dalla legge. La legge regola la soppressione della Consulta araldica.
^ab"Regalis".Italian Titles of Nobility. Louis Mendola. Archived fromthe original on 2010-06-21. Retrieved2006-12-04.
