Fabricating nobility ? Genealogy and social mobility among franco-scottish families in the early modern period

Abstract

Seventeenth century noble families in many European countries found their elite status challenged by individuals from non-noble backgrounds who had earned favour through their aptitude for commerce, administration and invention. The rise of the meritocracy was as rapid in France as it was elsewhere. In a bid to curb new ennoblements, the French government sought proof of noble origin from new applicants to the noble classes. This paper will review the process of application to the Scottish authorities who were asked to issue ‘birthbriefs’ to confirm the genealogies of both their countrymen abroad and foreigners claiming to be of Scottish descent. In particular it will test French cases to establish the truth of the claims made and the motives for upholding and granting such documentation. It will also test claims of Scottish decent by French families which remain unsubstantiated by the Scottish authorities or, in the case of Jean-Baptiste Colbert, almost certainly spurious.