Hidalgo (nobility)

An hidalgo (/ɪˈdælɡoʊ/, Spanish: [iˈðalɣo]) or a fidalgo (Portuguese: [fiˈðalɣu], Galician: [fiˈðalɣʊ]) is a member of the Spanish or Portuguese nobility; the feminine forms of the terms are hidalga, in Spanish, and fidalga, in Portuguese and Galician. In popular usage, the term hidalgo identifies a nobleman without a hereditary title. In practice, hidalgos were exempted from paying taxes, yet owned little real property.