In England, aristocrats maintained their status using dress and mannerisms. Status interferred with persons ever rising above one’s birth and was one of the reasons that commoners left the country to come to the plantations. For example, although the gentry (tradesmen) rose up in wealth, they had limitations, and America offered opportunity.
The term “aristocrat” refers colloquially to persons who inherit social status whether due to membership in the official nobility or the monied upper class. During 1834 Blue blood was an English idiom noble birth or descent. The idiom originates from the ancient and medieval societies of Europe and distinguishes an upper class. Ironically, the blue blood vessels of the upper non-working class appeared through their untanned skin! Actually, according to Robert Lacey, it was the Spaniards who provided the notion that the blood of an aristocrat was not red, rather blue.
Be that as it may, many Americans have a smidget of that blue blood in their DNA and can trace their lineage to King Edward I of England via certain noble houses of Europe. The key is to locate the port where the emigrant sailed from and search the parish records there and then pay close attention to all of the names in a family and who they married. In England, the parish registers go back to early 1500. Also, there is a rich history of the English monarchs which includes their noble families and other relatives. Lots of history to read, yet so worth it!