German Nobility Last Names: A Guide to Understanding the Lineage of the German Aristocracy

Exploring the rich tapestry of German history, one can't help but be fascinated by the influence and legacy of the nobility. German nobility last names, often steeped in tradition and carrying historical significance, offer a window into the aristocratic past. From the ancient principalities to the modern era, these names reflect lineage, power, and the enduring spirit of the German aristocracy. This guide delves into the origins and meanings of some of the most prominent German nobility last names, providing insight into the families that shaped the country's social and political landscape.
1. **von Adelmann:** meaning "from the noble man"
2. **von Alvensleben:** meaning "from the alder grove"
3. **von Arnim:** meaning "from the farm"
4. **von Asch:** meaning "from the ash tree"
5. **von Aufsess:** meaning "from the seat"
6. **von Beust:** meaning "from the beast"
7. **von Bismarck:** meaning "from the bishopric"
8. **von Bodman:** meaning "from the bottom"
9. **von Bothmer:** meaning "from the bottom of the valley"
10. **von Bredow:** meaning "from the broad meadow"
11. **von Bülow:** meaning "from the hill"
12. **von Canstein:** meaning "from the stone"
13. **von Carlowitz:** meaning "from the clover field"
14. **von Clausewitz:** meaning "from the clover field"
15. **von Colloredo:** meaning "from the black bird"
16. **von Cramm:** meaning "from the cramp"
17. **von der Goltz:** meaning "from the gold"
18. **von der Leyen:** meaning "from the lay"
19. **von Dieskau:** meaning "from the ditch"
20. **von Dönhoff:** meaning "from the hill"
21. **von Eicken:** meaning "from the oak"
22. **von Einsiedel:** meaning "from the hermitage"
23. **von Erbach:** meaning "from the erbach"
24. **von Falkenstein:** meaning "from the falcon's stone"
25. **von Fersen:** meaning "from the furrow"
26. **von Finckenstein:** meaning "from the stone"
27. **von Fritsch:** meaning "from the peace"
28. **von Fürstenberg:** meaning "from the prince's mountain"
29. **von Gneisenau:** meaning "from the goose meadow"
30. **von Goertz:** meaning "from the court"
31. **von Hardenberg:** meaning "from the hard mountain"
32. **von Haugwitz:** meaning "from the hawk's wood"
33. **von Hedemann:** meaning "from the hede"
34. **von Hindenburg:** meaning "from the hill"
35. **von Hoff:** meaning "from the hope"
36. **von Hohenlohe:** meaning "from the high meadow"
37. **von Humboldt:** meaning "from the humble"
38. **von Ingelheim:** meaning "from the island home"
39. **von Kalckreuth:** meaning "from the chalk ridge"
40. **von Keyserlingk:** meaning "from the emperor's field"
41. **von Kleist:** meaning "from the clay"
42. **von Kluck:** meaning "from the clover"
43. **von Knigge:** meaning "from the knight"
44. **von Koch:** meaning "from the cook"
45. **von Krockow:** meaning "from the crow's meadow"
46. **von Krosigk:** meaning "from the crooked meadow"
47. **von Lützow:** meaning "from the meadow"
48. **von Manteuffel:** meaning "from the mantle"
49. **von Moltke:** meaning "from the mold"
50. **von Münchhausen:** meaning "from the monk's house"
51. **von Nassau:** meaning "from the narrow valley"
52. **von Nostitz:** meaning "from the nose"
53. **von Oeynhausen:** meaning "from the island"
54. **von Pappenheim:** meaning "from the pope's home"
55. **von Quadt:** meaning "from the quadrangle"
56. **von Reichenbach:** meaning "from the rich stream"
57. **von Reventlow:** meaning "from the ravine"
58. **von Richthofen:** meaning "from the rich farm"
59. **von Rochow:** meaning "from the row"
60. **von Rundstedt:** meaning "from the round hill"
61. **von Schleinitz:** meaning "from the narrow valley"
62. **von Schlieffen:** meaning "from the cliff"
63. **von Schmettow:** meaning "from the blacksmith's meadow"
64. **von Schönborn:** meaning "from the beautiful spring"
65. **von Schuckmann:** meaning "from the shoemaker"
66. **von Seeckt:** meaning "from the lake"
67. **von Seydlitz:** meaning "from the lake"
68. **von Spee:** meaning "from the spear"
69. **von Stein:** meaning "from the stone"
70. **von Sternberg:** meaning "from the star mountain"
71. **von Stolberg:** meaning "from the proud mountain"
72. **von Strachwitz:** meaning "from the straight path"
73. **von Thile:** meaning "from the tile"
74. **von Tirpitz:** meaning "from the tower"
75. **von Trotha:** meaning "from the troth"
76. **von Usedom:** meaning "from the island"
77. **von Valois:** meaning "from the valley"
78. **von Veltheim:** meaning "from the well"
79. **von Verdy du Vernois:** meaning "from the green valley"
80. **von Vietinghoff:** meaning "from the vital"
81. **von Waldersee:** meaning "from the forest"
82. **von Waldstein:** meaning "from the forest stone"
83. **von Wedel:** meaning "from the meadow"
84. **von Weissenberg:** meaning "from the white mountain"
85. **von Wimpffen:** meaning "from the flag"
86. **von Winterfeldt:** meaning "from the winter field"
87. **von Wrangel:** meaning "from the angle"
88. **von Zeppelin:** meaning "from the zeppelin"
89. **von Zieten:** meaning "from the citadel"