A British hereditary title is a title of nobility that is passed down from one generation to the next. The two most common titles are BARONET and DUKE. A BARONET is a hereditary title ranking below a baron but above a knight, and is the holder of a hereditary title granted by the British Crown. A DUKE is the highest rank of the British peerage, and is a hereditary title of nobility, ranking above a marquess, earl, viscount, and baron.