I live next to a baron, next town lives a count. Both are just moderately wealthy humans.

There is one distinction that sets them apart from "new money": They could not leave without loosing a significant part of their identity and influence.

I grew up among socialists, I have no love for aristocracy, but in times when the schism between rich and poor widens a caste of people that are bound by custom to be loyal to a place, meaning they are reluctant to abandon their local community, might be worth more than we think.