polveutuneet

Polveutuneet is a Finnish adjective meaning descended from a noble family or of noble lineage. It is used to describe individuals or families whose ancestry traces back to the Finnish, Swedish, or broader aristocratic traditions. The term is common in historical and genealogical contexts, particularly when discussing lineages within the old estate structure.

Etymology-wise, polveutunut derives from polvi, a root referring to lineage or generation, and the verb polveutua, meaning to be descended in a line of descent. The form polveutuneet denotes those who have noble ancestors.

Historically, Finland maintained a privileged nobility as part of the broader Swedish and later Russian-era social order. Members of the aatelisto (nobility) held certain offices and privileges, and genealogical registers preserved lines of descent. In modern times, the legal privileges of the nobility have largely faded, but polveutuneet remains a descriptive term in historical and genealogical scholarship, as well as in biographical or literary contexts.

In contemporary usage, polveutuneet is not a legal status but a genealogical descriptor. It is typically found in historical studies, encyclopedic entries, and family histories when noting noble ancestry. The term may appear alongside references to the Finnish House of Nobility (Ritarihuone) and other sources that document aristocratic lineages.

See also: polveutua, aateli, sääty, Ritarihuone.