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"Fürst" is a uniquely German title of nobility that is best translated to "Prince". The feudal rank of a Fürst is sometimes lesser than that of a "Herzog" (Duke), or "Großherzog" (Grand duke), depending on the particular title's history.

The title Fürst designates the head (the "first") of a princely house, or the head of a branch of such a house. The "first" originates from ancient Germanic times , when the "first" was the leader in battle and thus was the chosen ruler. The heir of a Fürst is an Erbprinz, or Hereditary Prince.

While most people who would be referred to in English as a "Prince" would be called in German "Prinz" the head of a German princely house, or the present-day ruler of Liechtenstein and Monaco, would be a "Fürst".

Electors of the Holy Roman Empire were termed "Kurfürst, Kurfürstin". Kur (earlier spelling Chur) is derived from kur/küren, to choose, related to the English "to cure" and "to procure".

"Großfürst" is the word used in German for a Magnus Dux and a Russian grand duke (son of a tsar).

The word Fürst is also used to refer to a ruler in the general sense, as in Machiavelli's The Prince.

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-'''''"Fürst"''''' is a uniquely German [[title]] that is best translated to "[[Prince]]". While most people who would be referred to in English as a "Prince" would be called in German ''"Prinz"'' the head of a German princely house, or the present-day rulers of [[Liechtenstein]] and [[Monaco]], would be ''"Fürsten"''.  Fürst is sometimes classed as a lesser title than ''"Herzog"'' ([[Duke]]), or ''"Großherzog"'' ([[Grand duke]]), depending on a particular title's history.
+'''''"Fürst"''''' is a uniquely German [[title of nobility]] that is best translated to "[[Prince]]".  The [[feudal rank]] of a ''Fürst'' is sometimes  lesser than that of a ''"Herzog"'' ([[Duke]]), or ''"Großherzog"'' ([[Grand duke]]), depending on the particular title's history.
-The title ''Fürst'' designates the head (the "first") of a princely house, or the head of a branch of such a house.  The heir of a ''Fürst'' is an ''Erbprinz'', or [[Hereditary Prince]].
+The title ''Fürst'' designates the head (the "first") of a princely house, or the head of a branch of such a house.
+The "first" originates from ancient Germanic times , when the "first" was the leader in battle and thus was the chosen ruler.
+The heir of a ''Fürst'' is an ''Erbprinz'', or [[Hereditary Prince]].
+While most people who would be referred to in English as a "Prince" would be called in German ''"Prinz"'' the head of a German princely house, or the present-day ruler of [[Liechtenstein]] and [[Monaco]], would be a ''"Fürst"''.
-The 'first' originates from ancient Germanic times , when the 'first' was the leader in battle and thus was the chosen ruler.
-[[Holy Roman Empire Elector|Electors]] of the [[Holy Roman Empire]] were termed ''"Kurfürst, Kurfürstin"''. Kur (earlier spelling Chur) derived from kur-kueren, to make ready for crowning, related English words : to cure, to procure.
+[[Holy Roman Empire Elector|Electors]] of the [[Holy Roman Empire]] were termed ''"Kurfürst, Kurfürstin"''. ''Kur'' (earlier spelling ''Chur)'' is derived from ''kur/küren,'' to choose, related to the English "to cure" and "to procure".
 ''"Großfürst"'' is the word used in German for a Magnus Dux and a Russian grand duke (son of a tsar).