Reply #19: No, not really; let's look at early uses [View All]

1745 J. Bradshaw Scheme to prevent running Irish Wools to France 4 The lower and middle Class of their People appear'd at that time, well dress'd in Ratteens and Frizes; the better, or richer Class, wore Cloths of Ten Shillings per Yard.

1756 J. Massie Calculations Taxes for Family 8 By such Assertions, People of the middle or inferior Classes, may be prevented from pursuing‥the Means to make future Provision for their Families.

1766 Queen Caroline Matilda of Denmark Let. 25 Dec. in Mem. Unfortunate Queen (1776) 21 There is no such thing here as a middle class of people living in affluence and independence.

1792 T. Paine Rights of Man: Pt. Second v. 111 A poll-tax was levied.‥ It excited, as it naturally must, universal detestation among the poor and middle classes.

All from the Oxford English Dictionary definition of the phrase ("A class of society or social grouping between an upper and a lower (or working) class, usually regarded as including professional and business people and their families; (in sing. and pl.) the members of such a class.")

Notice how the middle class tends to be grouped with 'lower', 'inferior' and 'poor'. Your definitions separates the middle class from them - by restricting the middle class to the very rich who haven't inherited large estates of land.