In my campaign, the Elves used to be the 'dominant' culture, but passed their role as 'rulers' off on their part human offspring. The Half-Elven population aren't all 'Nobles' (Chinese Mandarin style nobility without the eunuchs), but none of the alternate traits really allow a noble. What I'd like is an alternate trait to be of 'noble blood', possibly with a feat to represent actual job status.
As the heat is sapping my brain power, I thought I'd toss this out as a challenge to the horde of toe-weasels here. (A 'no-prize' to the first to nail the reference)
Take levels of aristocrat?