Chanyu

The title Chanyu (Chinese单于/单于, Pinyin Chanyu, also shanyu, W.-G. Ch'an -yü, and Shan -yu, Chanyu ( shanyu ) ') led the rulers of the Xiongnu at the time of the Han Dynasty in China ( 206 BC to 220 AD). The meaning in the language of the Xiongnu might be something like " the greatest"; However, the determination is uncertain due to the lack of classification of the Xiongnu language, and known to us terms are handed down by Chinese historians. See Classical Chinese historians in the title of a counterpart to the Chinese title " Son of Heaven ", which carried the Chinese emperor. As with most nomadic peoples of the title was usually hereditary, but was often taken over by the strongest man in the immediate family. Joseph Fletcher called this practice "blood tanistry " (English " blood - leader election ").

• Ruler title
• Title of nobility