The Philippine nobility refers to the social class of aristocrats and elite families in the Philippines, particularly during the pre-colonial and colonial periods. This class included local leaders known as datus, who governed tribes and communities, and were often recognized for their wealth, land ownership, and influence. During the Spanish colonial period, the nobility was further defined by the encomienda system, which granted land and labor rights to Spanish settlers. This led to the emergence of mestizo families, who combined indigenous and Spanish heritage, and played significant roles in the political and social landscape of the Philippines.