29. The German nobility (German: deutscher Adel) was a class of persons which enjoyed certain privileges relative to other members of society under the laws and customs of various regimes of what is now Germany until 1919. In the case of Adenauer, who served in Bonn as the very first Bundeskanzler, his name comes from a small town very close to Bonn: Adenau, first listed in the records as "Adenowe" (1215).A person from Adenau is known as an Adenauer. We try our very best, but cannot guarantee perfection. An example of the best case in the Gotha would be the article on the von Rechberg und Rothenlwen zu Hochrechberg family (Example 1). We recognise that not all activities and ideas are appropriate and suitable for all children and families or in all circumstances. and were replaced by German noble families whose title was accepted by the Danish nobility. 99.Terry meaning "power of the first tribe". (For a modern example, think of the Earl of Northumberland or the Duke of Cambridge.). You see people named von So-and-so all the time. 4. He was forced to abdicate from both the imperial throne and the Kingdom of Prussia on November 28, 1918. [6] 69.Reynold (High German origin) meaning "brightness". . Bundesarchiv, B 145 Bild-F026160-0002A / Grfingholt, Detlef / CC-BY-SA 3.0, CC BY-SA 3.0 DE, via Wikimedia Commons. Your privacy is important to us. In November 1918, following the German Empire's defeat in World War I, all the German Empire's kings either stepped down or were forced to abdicate. It's a bit confusing. Subscribe for virtual tools, STEM-inspired play, Also helpful can be Paul Theroff's An Online Gotha or Herbert Stoyan's WW Person. This does not influence our choices. This page was last edited on 29 December 2022, at 14:19. While many of the official privileges that German nobles had enjoyed for centuries were revoked, the right to include the Von or Zu prefix in the surname was one way that noble families could retain an air of their previous aristocratic rank, as well as bequeathing a noble name and lineage to future generations. 22.Michael (M) meaning "like God" from Michael Ballack, a famous German football player. Various authors have prepared armorial, or heraldry, books. FS Library Collection. A simple keyword search for "nobility" introduces you to wikipedia's article, an excellent first step to finding more reliable sources through its External Links. In Central Europe, R1a is found exclusively among Proto-Balto-Slavs and their descendants: In addition to this, many town and city names in eastern Germany have Slavic origins - Lubeck, Rostock, Berlin, Dresden, Stettin, and Potsdam are just a few. Members of this class had titles such as Baron [Freiherr], Duke [Herzog], Count [Graf], Margrave [Markgraf], and Knight (Sir) [Ritter]. The two are sometimes used together, von und zu, meaning "of and at". Files are available under licenses specified on their description page. Walpot, (von) Kerpen, (von) Thna/ (von) Tunna, (von) Salza (!preferrably for a nazi-by-heart figure), Ludowing, Malberg, Hohenlohe, (von) Wllersleben, (von) Wertheim, (von) Sangershausen, (von) Heldrungen, (von) Oeren, (von) Braunschweig, (von) Altenburg, Dusemer, (von) Kniprode, Zollner, (von) Wallenrode, Jungingen, (von) Plauen, Kchmeister, For the English speaking world, besides the many businesses that advertise producing your family's coat-of-arms and surname's definitive history to the Middle Ages, the UK peerage systems are arguably the most well known, if not the only known system(s) of nobility in the world, since there is no language barrier and most everyone knows of Queen Elizabeth II and the late Lady Diana Spencer. No, modern-day Germany has never had a monarch. Geneva, 1204 This can be "old", inherited titles as well as ennobled titles (Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, who is also a good example of use with and without title: If you refer to von Goethe before 1782, you should omit the "von" - He received his title during that year). The Genealogical Proof Standard should definitely be applied to noble genealogy research. The ruling monarch granted a noble title and the right to use a coat-of-arms as a reward for persons who performed a heroic deed, achieved a notable accomplishment, or held a prominent government position. In 1520, or as some say, 1525, his uncle . Her death has plunged the UK into mourning: They loved their long-serving monarch. An armorial is a collection of descriptions of coats-of-arms and the families that bear them. 72.Stadtler meaning "responsible". the Late Middle Ages). The Junkers " of Prussia were often contrasted with the elites of the western and southern states in Germany, such as the city-republic of Hamburg (which had no nobility) or Catholic states like Bavaria, in which the " Junker class" of Prussia was often viewed with contempt. 48.Thea (High German origin) meaning "first gift of God". Here you can actually buy a german nobility title. Conversely, those articles with incomplete/missing information prove that if you discover a descent from a noble family, for example a Germanic one, you are not guaranteed a genealogical goldmine that leads to a family tree already fully researched, which extends back 600-650 years to the Late Middle Ages. and there were a lot of family stories about goings on at Windsor Palace (Castle). The name Althan has a Saxon root which means 'spring'. 67.Philip meaning "a horse lover" in German. A periodical regarding German Nobility which is available at the FamilySearch Library is Deutsches Adelsblatt. Traces of nobility can still be found in people's names. That is a lot of popular understanding. Therefore, to be exact, since his family name is Prinz von Thurn und Taxis, we shouldn't even be translating the word "prince" just like anyone else's family name isn't translated into other languages. Cardinal; b. at Mantua, 23 November, 1505; d. 2 March, 1563. 17.Karl (M) meaning "strong man" from Karl Benz, who is popular for creating the first known automobile. creative tips and more. Kidadl is independent and to make our service free to you the reader we are supported by advertising. Frederick Francis IV was the last Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin. Hannah (High German origin) meaning "favor or grace" in German. Collectively, they are called "the Gotha" . German Royal Family Surnames. A WWW Data base of European nobility Almanach de Gotha An Online Gotha Collegium res nobilis Austriae Deutsches Adelsarchiv Heraldisch-Genealogische Gesellschaft, Wien Starke Genealogy Index of German Nobility. For example, Georg Friedrich von Preussen is the great-great-grandson of Kaiser Wilhelm II, the last king of Prussia. German Farm Names . Heidi ( High German origin) meaning "someone who is noble". ): This page was last edited on 21 March 2022, at 16:41. Rue du March 7 Making such a connection will not automatically have your family tree suddenly grow before your eyes. The FamilySearch moderator for Sweden is MorrisGF and LarsonW. During the 1600 and 1700's many of the old nobility lines died out (for example Brahe, Gyldenstierne, Marsvin, ect.) Bondar - Cooper. It is the German version of the popular English male name, Martin. Virgin IslandsU.S. This category has the following 200 subcategories, out of 1,402 total. Some German Royal Family dynasties are the Conradines, Carolingians, Salians, Ottonians, Supplinburger, Hohenstaufen, Welf, Wettin, Nassau, Habsburg, Luxemburg, Lorraine, Wittelsbach, Habsburg-Lorraine, Bonaparte and Hohenzollern. If learning about the background to these German names and their titles has piqued your interest about acquiring a prestigious Noble Title of your own get in touch using the enquiry form in the sidebar or you can contact our Geneva office directly between 10.00-19.00, Monday to Friday on +41 225 181 360. With its multi-dimensional ingredients, this male enhancement supplement because of its side effects so, you should take the drug before an hour of copulation. 308, Augsburg 1515 - 1650, Wappenbuch des churbayrischen Adels (Copie eines Originals von 1560), Vol. This list has not only some common old German male names and old German female names, but also some names of famous German personalities that you may be inspired to name your child after. Earnest Louis was the last Grand Duck Hesse. 100. 47.Tanya (High German origin) meaning "princess" in German. Kidadl is supported by you, the reader. Historical Background [ edit | edit source] But a century ago, the Weimar Constitution determined that all those hereditary titles should be abolished, allowing members of the former nobility to only keep traces of it in their surnames. (required) Additionally, the peerage system's authoritative genealogical encyclopedia Burke's Peerage and Gentry is reasonably known and assessable to researchers in US libraries. This is similar to the practice of shortening a noble title to merge with the surname that was a popular practice towards the latter days of the aristocracy. The kingdom was established back in 1815 and was initially ruled by William the I. They are an old German family whose ancestry goes back to the 13th century AD. Bernhard III was the last Duke of Saxe-Meiningen. 2023 LoveToKnow Media. Oskar is the old German version of male name, Oscar, best known for Oscar Wilde, an Irish poet and playwright. 9.Diane (F) referring to "Goddess of wellness" from Diane Kruger, an award-winning German actress. In modern times, the royal family has helped, 100+ Beautiful Daughter Captions to Share How Incredible She Is. Konrad Adenauer (1876-1967) - First chancellor of West Germany Many surnames come from a geographic location or town. 77.Andy (Old High German origin) meaning "brave" . In the eighteenth century, many burgher families had coats-of-arms that they recorded with the appropriate government agencies. Regensburg, Germany: Georg Joseph Mainz, 1860-1866. Because Sweden limited the growth of the noble class, only about two percent of Sweden's population were noblemen. His wealth obviously contributes to the fascination: When his father died in 1990, Albert von Thurn und Taxis landed on the Forbes list as one of the world's youngest billionaires. Knowing these truths can immensely help the genealogist trace a noble lineage. 2002-2023 LoveToKnow Media. Alternate Surname Spellings: Herrman, Hermann, Herman Famous People With the Herrmann Surname So even if Germany has abolished its nobility, the remaining fortuneand status of different aristocratic families in the country is still significant today. These sources, as well as the Europische Stammtafeln series, are the collective authorities on noble genealogy (from 1763) of the Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation and its successor states, primarily the German-speaking lands. the Fitzalan-Howards, Percys, Spencers) were my first sources. 11.Emil (M) meaning "rival" from Emil Jannings, a German actor. German Emperor, Kaiser Wilhelm II, was from the Hohenzollern dynasty and was the last King of Prussia. A popular name because of the superhero Tony Stark. May 5, 2022 | Aristocracy, Germany, Noble Titles, Royal Titles. Generally, von reveals the family's place of origin, while zu says the family is still in possession of the estate from which the surname is drawn. For additional resources, do a Place Search for Germany and view the selections under Germany - Nobility, as well as Germany - Genealogy, Germany - Biography, and Germany - Heraldry. Leopold IV was the final Prince of the Principality of Lippe. Like many of their European neighbours, the nobility of Germany adopted the custom of using the name of their estate or region as their surname or integrating it into their given family name. She is fond of classic British literature. IMPORTANT PRIVACY NOTICE & DISCLAIMER: YOU HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO USE CAUTION WHEN DISTRIBUTING PRIVATE INFORMATION. All legal . The genealogies that appear in the multiple series typically list the known living members of the family (at time of publication) and trace the family's ancestry back two, three, or even four generations and often include a short summary on the family's noble origin and development, including a description of their coat-of-arms. 64.Oskar (High German origin) meaning "the god's spear". 59.Leo (High German origin) meaning "lion". Most family traditions about a noble ancestor prove to be untrue. But even back when it was a fashion no-go, Germans couldn't have cared less. 38.Maxi (High German origin) meaning "greatest" in German. For more naming inspiration take a look at these city names for boys and city names for girls. Friedrich August Georg, Crown Prince of Saxony. Nobility. Or if you would like to go one step further than the suggestion of aristocracy, you could officially join the ranks of the noble classes with a genuine noble title. In German, the word von is used to reflect where a person is from similar to of in English, de in French and di in Italian. It is the confirmed Uradel who can trace their unbroken lineage of nobility to before the year 1350 or 1400 (i.e. 2. It is also the name of a popular character from the TV show, 'Friends'. 16.Jakob (M) meaning "may God protect us" from Jakob Grimm, a popular German philosopher. The Zu prefix suggests that a family is still resident at a particular estate or region, as opposed to having simply descended from that place. These four brothers were presumably either related to the family von Weyarn in which the name "Sigiboto" is recorded three times [287], or to Graf Dodico whose brother . A fairly comprehensive list of past German names for what are now Polish villages, towns and cities. The proven genealogical connection is lacking. A cornerstone of their sources is a few series including the Genealogisches Taschenbcher des Adels, Genealogisches Taschenbuch der Ritter- und Adelsgeschlechter, and the Genealogisches Handbcher des Adels. The country's current monarchy holds, The Swedish Royal Family: Behind the Modern Monarchy, When mentioning royals, The House of Windsor in England is likely the most widely recognized family. Before any of these secondary resources, though, when researching German and Austrian noble genealogies and family histories and learning about the German and Austrian nobiliary cultures and systems, the online databases of Collegium res nobilis Austriae or the Institut Deutsche Adelsforschung should be consulted first and foremost. The missing information is typically the nuts and bolts of genealogical data: dates and places, and sometimes, even names. Tate is also a popular old museum in London and a memorable name. Hamlet is a popular English play written by Shakespeare and based in Germany. The laws and practices of heraldry have changed over the years. Illegitimate children of nobility, though not entitled to noble status, were often recorded (although the father may not have been named) and can be found in the records. 96.Stark meaning "strong" or "powerful". church records) can, like usual, substantiate as well as challenge the accuracy of family papers and documents or publications, thereby uncovering false ancestral claims, documenting black sheep erased from family notes, or correcting family tradition. Type your name or other word into the font generator tool. When you buy through the links on our site we may earn a commission. Bendix (Low German origin) which is a Biblical reference, also meaning Benedict. It is a popular name for boys with roots in Germany. 53.Ernest (High German origin) meaning "serious" or "determined". Kidadl provides inspiration to entertain and educate your children. Following are some of the noble families in Germany: Palatinate-Zweibrcken (Pfalz-Zweibrcken) (Herzogtum), GERMANY, [STATE] - NOBILITYGERMANY, [STATE], [TOWN] - NOBILITY. (FS Library book 943D22h; film 491,136 online. Prior to the establishment of royal absolutism in 1660, the high nobility was included in the council of the realm. Althans branched out ruling parts of Austria and Prussia too. Toni (Old High German origin) meaning "a colorful flower". Alfred (M) (Old High German origin) meaning "elf" from Alfred Weber, a German economist and philosopher with groundbreaking theories. If you wish your surname had more of a noble connotation, it may be possible to legally change your name to include that aristocratic Von or Zu prefix. A. Unrest across the German Empire following the loss of World War I sparked the November Revolution. At Kidadl we pride ourselves on offering families original ideas to make the most of time spent together at home or out and about, wherever you are in the world. Guide to Wrttemberg, German Empire ancestry, family history, and genealogy before 1945: birth records, marriage records, death records, both church and civil registration, compiled family history, and finding aids. See the Genealogy and Nobility sections. Most German royal last names related to the family's place of origin. Gunther Victor was the final Prince of the Principalities of Schwarzburg-Rudolstadn and Schwarzburg-Sondershausen. On November 12, 1918, the Wittelsbachs were deposed, bring to an end their 700-year rule over Bavaria. When the Weimar Constitution entered into force on August 14, 1919, the legal privileges and titles of German nobility were abolished. Welcome to German Noblity. 79.Bailey (Old High German origin) meaning "powerful" in German. Andechs Feudal rulers were common in 12th century Germany. But not even my local, big city reference librarians were able to assist me in my noble Austrian genealogical research. On November 7, 1918, Ludwig fled with his family from Munich. 76.Alex (Old High German origin) meaning "noble". Confirming the accuracy of the secondary sources can consequently be a very difficult task: where to look for a birth, marriage, or death record, or other primary sources? If one of the names from these lists has captured your imagination, selecting a unique German boy name might be the best choice for your precious son. 44.Steffi (High German origin) meaning "garland" or "crown". 87.Leni (Old High German origin) meaning "bright" or "illuminating". 49.Theresa (High German origin) meaning "hunter or guardian". Mitzis real name and full title is Francesca Marlene de Czanyi von Gerber. The "Who Do You Think You Are" episode on Brook Shields almost suggests this though. Anyone interested in German Nobility and Aristocracy who would like to help work on a page? 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Disclaimer: you have a RESPONSIBILITY to USE CAUTION when DISTRIBUTING PRIVATE.., Germans could n't have cared less Grfingholt, Detlef / CC-BY-SA 3.0, CC 3.0! Rule over Bavaria Herbert Stoyan 's WW Person descriptions of coats-of-arms and Kingdom. In my noble Austrian genealogical research famous German football player a Saxon which! Irish poet and playwright to USE CAUTION when DISTRIBUTING PRIVATE INFORMATION Palace ( ). Last edited on 21 March 2022, at 16:41 2022 | Aristocracy, Germany, noble,... Recorded with the appropriate government agencies Danish nobility the two are sometimes used together, von und zu, ``... Available at the FamilySearch moderator for Sweden is MorrisGF and LarsonW Czanyi von Gerber are '' on... Inspiration to entertain and educate your children 99.terry meaning `` garland '' or `` determined..