'nobility' originates from Old French, specifically the word 'nobilité', where 'noble' meant 'high-born or distinguished'.

'nobilité' transformed into the Middle English word 'nobilite', and eventually became the modern English word 'nobility'.

Initially, it meant 'high-born or distinguished', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'the quality of being noble or a class of people with high status'.