Nobility in the Empire

Nobility within the empire is not just a sign of Heritage but also of Excellence. 
Soldiers, Scientists and Bureaucrats or Consultants can Achieve a Honorary Royal Title, that if they gain Further Privileges with Nobility keep for the Entire Life. Such Promoted Nobles are at the beginning of their Life as Nobles and have to Fight for every bit they can get and Try to make allies with already stronger Families to not be eaten up immediately. 
Most Houses that have been around for a couple Generations have acquired some minor Generational wealth, atleast in the Galactic Scale, but enough to Insure a Decent Lifestyle and Setup for Greener Pastures. This Established Low Nobility is the most Common Sight of Nobility. from Barons to Marquis. 
The Young Houses, from Such high Places as Cadet Branches to the Old Families to Upstarting Families Breaching the Glass Sealing of the Low Nobility. They Are Numerous themselves but concentrated in small Regions and just don't have Strong holdings in the wider Empire, but can be quite the Powerhouses in their Local Areas.