EDHILINGUS, an ancient appellation of the nobility among the Anglo-Saxons.

The Saxon nation, says Nithard (Hist. lib. iv.) is divided into three orders or classes of people; the edhilingi, the frilingi, and the lazzzi: which signify the nobility, the freemen, and the vassals or slaves.

Instead of edhiling, we sometimes meet with atheling, or ætheling; which appellation was likewise given to the king's son, and the presumptive heir of the crown. See ATHELING.