A French nobleman is a person of high social rank in France, typically with titles such as Comte (5 letters), Vicomte (7 letters), Marquis (7 letters) and Duc (3 letters). The title of Comte is the French equivalent of Count, Vicomte is the French equivalent of Viscount, Marquis is the French equivalent of Marquess, and Duc is the French equivalent of Duke. These titles are hereditary and are passed down from generation to generation.