The Principalia was the local elite that originated from the families of pre-colonial datus. A lot of them mixed with Spaniards hence were also known as “Mestizas.”
They were known by their titles: “Don” for the men and “Doña” for the women. Boys were usually referred to as “Señoritos” while girls were called “Señoritas.”
Wealth was primarily sourced from vast tracts of land known as “haciendas,” and as such, many members of the Principalia were also known as “hacienderos.”