The Criollo (Spanish pronunciation: [ˈkɾjoʎo] or "creole" people) were a social class in the hierarchy of the overseas colonies established by Spain since the 16th century, especially in Hispanic America, comprising the locally born people of confirmed European (primarily Spanish) ancestry. Although Criollos were legally Spaniards, in practice they ranked below the Iberian-born Peninsulares. Nevertheless, they had preeminence over all the other populations — Amerindians, enslaved Africans and peoples of mixed descent.