One of the 'loading tip' says that when they come towards you, you have to be equipped with a one-hand sword and hold R1 (PS3 version). You'll block the charge and put the horse down. It's easy from there to execute them when they're still down.
Another easy way is to use pistol, crossbow or (spoiler below, hover your mouse)
even less work by calling your assassins friends when your brotherhood is created.
They are collecting the names of the ranks here:
http://forums.ubi.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/2361024388/m/5761082609/p/1
As for the symBols, nobody online seems to have compiled them yet. The top rank is the Abstergo symbol, that much is known. Under that, the best i can say is that the higher the rank, the fancier the symbol.
Lastly, as for calculating: there are three game modes. Free for all (wanted), Team (chest, manhunt), and Co-op (alliance). You have a seperate score for each mode.
This week's score is calculated by the best 3 scores this week in that game mode added together. Your total Templar Grade is the last four week's worth of these averaged out.
Example:
This week - 100, 200, 300 = 600
Last week - 100, 100, 100 = 300
No scores previous weeks.
Templar grade = (300+600) / 4 = 225
Yes, weeks you dont play count as 0 for that week.
There is also an Overall score that is basically the sum of all of your other Templar Grades.
P.S. Dont assume high ranks are good players, I've played with some pretty horrible players that are considered " Master"
Best Answer
When you're pursuing someone, next to their picture on the right is a little blue gauge. If that gauge drops at all, you'll have a little red arrow over your head, because you're doing something that makes you noticeable.