A French nobleman or title of rank, ranking below a duke but above an earl or count.
From Old French 'marquis,' derived from 'marche' meaning 'border' or 'march.' A marquis originally governed a border region ('marche'), so the title literally means 'ruler of the border.'
Medieval French nobility had titles based on what they actually controlled—a marquis got his fancy title because he ruled a dangerous border region, so it was actually a practical job, not just a fancy name!
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