Caste

What caste a dwarf is born into determines what sort of opportunities they will encounter during their lives and how others will treat them. It is possible to change castes, but only for mothers, and in rare cases, Paragons. Many of the castes also have a strata within them, and the rank of specific members may be a source of considerable argument. For example, highly-placed members of the Smith caste might consider themselves above lowly soldiers.

In descending order of value the castes are:


 * Noble caste
 * Warrior caste
 * Smith caste
 * Artisan caste
 * Miner caste
 * Merchant caste


 * The Lower Castes
 * Servant caste
 * Surface caste
 * The casteless

Note: the concept of a surface caste is debated. For the Shaperate, they are no better than the casteless, but with more high ranking castes choosing to go the surface world, it's becoming more difficult to make them permanent exiles.

Source
Dragon Age Central