>>18281528
>what's the likelihood you're actually descended from nobility or your peasant ancestors made it up?
The chances are high since many nobles had illegitimate children and were disowned. You could be disowned for reasons such as dishonor or impiety. Additionally, many nobles lost their status after being disinherited or losing a war.
>Was that legal?
Yes, even encourages since Byzantine and Frankish emperors would demote the deposed nobility.
These nobles would have no descendants, as they would typically become monks instead of succumbing to political discontent.

>>18281531
But could a peasant one day decide that they were going to give themselves a noble surname and was that allowed?

There can be some misleading nuances for example "nobility particles" in the High German language area are normal in commoner names in the Netherlands

>>18281533
Ok? Then what? They're still a peasant who hasn't had a full hot water bath in their entire life, can barely read or write, talk like a yokel and are still in the buttfuck nowhere village they were born in.

>>18281561
This poster has a sub-100 IQ

>>18281646
Explain.

>>18281533
Lolno. The nobility wouldn't stand for that.

>>18281528
Depends on the country, anon. In Germany if you have a Von in your name you're pretty much guaranteed to be of noble descent. Meanwhile in the Netherlands any Jan met de pet has a Van in their surname. My surname has a Du (wallonian ancestors) and there's a castle in France with my surname, but I'm not entirely sure I'm of noble descent.

>>18281528
the chances are low since many wealthy merchants bought titles from impoverished nobility