German Noble Last Names: A Comprehensive Guide

Are you interested in tracing your family lineage back to the days of German nobility? Or perhaps you're simply fascinated by the rich history and heritage embedded in these distinguished surnames? Regardless of your motivation, exploring German noble last names offers a glimpse into a world of grandeur, power, and cultural significance. This comprehensive list provides a deep dive into the meanings and origins of some of the most prominent German noble surnames, offering insights into their historical context and the families they represent.
1. **von Adelmann:** From the German "adel" meaning "noble" and "mann" meaning "man", indicating a noble person.
2. **von Ahlefeldt:** From the name of a place in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, signifying an individual associated with that location.
3. **von Alvensleben:** Derived from the German "albe" meaning "alder tree" and "leben" meaning "life," indicating a residence near an alder grove.
4. **von Arnim:** Originates from the name of a place in Brandenburg, Germany, signifying an individual from that region.
5. **von Auersperg:** From the name of a place in Carinthia, Austria, indicating an individual associated with that location.
6. **von Babenberg:** From the name of a place in Lower Austria, Germany, signifying an individual from that region.
7. **von Baden:** Derived from the name of a region in southwestern Germany, indicating an individual from that region.
8. **von Ballestrem:** From the name of a place in Lorraine, France, signifying an individual associated with that location.
9. **von Beust:** Derived from the German "boist" meaning "a piece of wood," indicating a residence near a forest.
10. **von Bismarck:** From the name of a place in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany, signifying an individual from that region.
11. **von Bodenhausen:** From the name of a place in Lower Saxony, Germany, signifying an individual from that region.
12. **von Bohlen und Halbach:** A double-barreled name combining the names of two places in Prussia, signifying an individual associated with both locations.
13. **von Bothmer:** From the name of a place in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany, signifying an individual from that region.
14. **von Brauchitsch:** From the name of a place in Brandenburg, Germany, signifying an individual from that region.
15. **von Bredow:** From the name of a place in Brandenburg, Germany, signifying an individual from that region.
16. **von Bülow:** From the name of a place in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany, signifying an individual from that region.
17. **von Canstein:** From the name of a place in Westphalia, Germany, signifying an individual from that region.
18. **von Carlowitz:** From the name of a place in Saxony, Germany, signifying an individual from that region.
19. **von Clausewitz:** Derived from the German "klaus" meaning "cloister" and "witz" meaning "wisdom," indicating a person associated with a monastery or known for their wisdom.
20. **von der Goltz:** Derived from the German "goltz" meaning "gold," indicating a person associated with wealth or a goldsmith.
21. **von der Leyen:** From the name of a place in Lower Saxony, Germany, signifying an individual from that region.
22. **von dem Bussche:** From the name of a place in Westphalia, Germany, signifying an individual from that region.
23. **von Dohnányi:** From the name of a place in Hungary, signifying an individual associated with that location.
24. **von Donnersmarck:** Derived from the German "donner" meaning "thunder" and "mark" meaning "boundary," indicating a place associated with a powerful thunderous sound.
25. **von Dönhoff:** From the name of a place in Brandenburg, Germany, signifying an individual from that region.
26. **von Einsiedel:** Derived from the German "einsiedeln" meaning "to live in solitude," indicating a person who lived in a secluded place.
27. **von Eulenburg:** From the name of a place in Brandenburg, Germany, signifying an individual from that region.
28. **von Faber:** Derived from the German "faber" meaning "craftsman," indicating a person who was skilled in a particular trade.
29. **von Falkenstein:** From the name of a place in Hesse, Germany, signifying an individual from that region.
30. **von Fersen:** Derived from the German "ferse" meaning "heel," indicating a person associated with a particular location or region.
31. **von Finck:** From the name of a place in Brandenburg, Germany, signifying an individual from that region.
32. **von Fürstenberg:** From the name of a place in Baden-Württemberg, Germany, signifying an individual from that region.
33. **von Gagern:** From the name of a place in Hesse, Germany, signifying an individual from that region.
34. **von Glerum:** From the name of a place in Lower Saxony, Germany, signifying an individual from that region.
35. **von Goertz:** From the name of a place in Brandenburg, Germany, signifying an individual from that region.
36. **von Görtz:** From the name of a place in Pomerania, Germany, signifying an individual from that region.
37. **von Graevenitz:** From the name of a place in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany, signifying an individual from that region.
38. **von Hammerstein:** From the name of a place in Hesse, Germany, signifying an individual from that region.
39. **von Hansemann:** From the name of a place in Westphalia, Germany, signifying an individual from that region.
40. **von Hardenberg:** From the name of a place in Lower Saxony, Germany, signifying an individual from that region.
41. **von Harrach:** From the name of a place in Bohemia, Czech Republic, signifying an individual associated with that location.
42. **von Haugwitz:** From the name of a place in Silesia, Poland, signifying an individual associated with that location.
43. **von Haußmann:** From the name of a place in Prussia, Germany, signifying an individual from that region.
44. **von Hatzfeldt:** From the name of a place in Hesse, Germany, signifying an individual from that region.
45. **von Hedemann:** From the name of a place in Lower Saxony, Germany, signifying an individual from that region.
46. **von der Heydt:** From the name of a place in Westphalia, Germany, signifying an individual from that region.
47. **von Hohenlohe:** From the name of a place in Baden-Württemberg, Germany, signifying an individual from that region.
48. **von Humboldt:** From the name of a place in Prussia, Germany, signifying an individual from that region.
49. **von Ingelheim:** From the name of a place in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany, signifying an individual from that region.
50. **von Ketteler:** From the name of a place in Westphalia, Germany, signifying an individual from that region.
51. **von Keyserlingk:** From the name of a place in Courland, Latvia, signifying an individual associated with that location.
52. **von Klencke:** From the name of a place in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany, signifying an individual from that region.
53. **von Knigge:** From the name of a place in Lower Saxony, Germany, signifying an individual from that region.
54. **von Knyphausen:** From the name of a place in East Frisia, Germany, signifying an individual from that region.
55. **von Koch:** From the name of a place in Saxony, Germany, signifying an individual from that region.
56. **von Koerber:** From the name of a place in Austria, signifying an individual associated with that location.
57. **von Kolb:** From the name of a place in Bavaria, Germany, signifying an individual from that region.
58. **von Krafft:** Derived from the German "kraft" meaning "strength," indicating a person who was strong or powerful.
59. **von Krosigk:** From the name of a place in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany, signifying an individual from that region.
60. **von Krockow:** From the name of a place in Pomerania, Germany, signifying an individual from that region.
61. **von Lasaulx:** From the name of a place in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany, signifying an individual from that region.
62. **von Ledebur:** From the name of a place in Westphalia, Germany, signifying an individual from that region.
63. **von Lehndorff:** From the name of a place in Prussia, Germany, signifying an individual from that region.
64. **von Lerchenfeld:** From the name of a place in Bavaria, Germany, signifying an individual from that region.
65. **von Lettow-Vorbeck:** A double-barreled name combining the names of two places in Pomerania, Germany, signifying an individual associated with both locations.
66. **von Lindequist:** From the name of a place in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany, signifying an individual from that region.
67. **von Loe:** From the name of a place in Westphalia, Germany, signifying an individual from that region.
68. **von Löw:** Derived from the German "löwe" meaning "lion," indicating a person who was brave or strong.
69. **von Maltzahn:** From the name of a place in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany, signifying an individual from that region.
70. **von Manteuffel:** From the name of a place in Brandenburg, Germany, signifying an individual from that region.
71. **von Massenbach:** From the name of a place in Baden-Württemberg, Germany, signifying an individual from that region.
72. **von Maydell:** From the name of a place in Courland, Latvia, signifying an individual associated with that location.
73. **von Metternich:** From the name of a place in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany, signifying an individual from that region.
74. **von Moltke:** From the name of a place in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany, signifying an individual from that region.
75. **von Münchhausen:** From the name of a place in Lower Saxony, Germany, signifying an individual from that region.
76. **von Nagler:** From the name of a place in Tyrol, Austria, signifying an individual associated with that location.
77. **von Negelein:** From the name of a place in Prussia, Germany, signifying an individual from that region.
78. **von Neipperg:** From the name of a place in Württemberg, Germany, signifying an individual from that region.
79. **von Oertzen:** From the name of a place in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany, signifying an individual from that region.
80. **von Oppen:** From the name of a place in Westphalia, Germany, signifying an individual from that region.
81. **von Papen:** From the name of a place in Westphalia, Germany, signifying an individual from that region.
82. **von Plettenberg:** From the name of a place in Westphalia, Germany, signifying an individual from that region.
83. **von Plotho:** From the name of a place in Lower Saxony, Germany, signifying an individual from that region.
84. **von Podewils:** From the name of a place in Brandenburg, Germany, signifying an individual from that region.
85. **von Poellnitz:** From the name of a place in Thuringia, Germany, signifying an individual from that region.
86. **von Prittwitz und Gaffron:** A double-barreled name combining the names of two places in Prussia, signifying an individual associated with both locations.
87. **von Quadt:** From the name of a place in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany, signifying an individual from that region.
88. **von Rauch:** Derived from the German "rauch" meaning "smoke," indicating a person associated with a smoky place or a chimney sweep.
89. **von Reden:** From the name of a place in Lower Saxony, Germany, signifying an individual from that region.
90. **von Richthofen:** From the name of a place in Prussia, Germany, signifying an individual from that region.
91. **von Rittberg:** From the name of a place in Westphalia, Germany, signifying an individual from that region.
92. **von Rochow:** From the name of a place in Brandenburg, Germany, signifying an individual from that region.
93. **von Rönne:** From the name of a place in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, signifying an individual associated with that location.
94. **von Rosenberg:** From the name of a place in Bohemia, Czech Republic, signifying an individual associated with that location.
95. **von Rotenhan:** From the name of a place in Franconia, Germany, signifying an individual from that region.
96. **von Saldern:** From the name of a place in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany, signifying an individual from that region.
97. **von Schleinitz:** From the name of a place in Saxony, Germany, signifying an individual from that region.
98. **von Schlieben:** From the name of a place in Brandenburg, Germany, signifying an individual from that region.
99. **von Schmettow:** From the name of a place in Pomerania, Germany, signifying an individual from that region.
100. **von Schönburg:** From the name of a place in Saxony, Germany, signifying an individual from that region.
101. **von Schoultz:** From the name of a place in Finland, signifying an individual associated with that location.
102. **von Schwerin:** From the name of a place in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany, signifying an individual from that region.
103. **von Seherr-Thoss:** A double-barreled name combining the names of two places in Prussia, signifying an individual associated with both locations.
104. **von Seydlitz:** From the name of a place in Silesia, Poland, signifying an individual associated with that location.
105. **von Soden:** From the name of a place in Hesse, Germany, signifying an individual from that region.
106. **von Soest:** From the name of a place in Westphalia, Germany, signifying an individual from that region.
107. **von Stauffenberg:** From the name of a place in Swabia, Germany, signifying an individual from that region.
108. **von Stein:** Derived from the German "stein" meaning "stone," indicating a person associated with a rocky place or a quarry.
109. **von Steuben:** From the name of a place in Prussia, Germany, signifying an individual from that region.
110. **von Stillfried:** From the name of a place in Bohemia, Czech Republic, signifying an individual associated with that location.
111. **von Stolberg:** From the name of a place in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany, signifying an individual from that region.
112. **von Strachwitz:** From the name of a place in Silesia, Poland, signifying an individual associated with that location.
113. **von Sydow:** From the name of a place in Brandenburg, Germany, signifying an individual from that region.
114. **von Thadden:** From the name of a place in Prussia, Germany, signifying an individual from that region.
115. **von Trotha:** From the name of a place in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany, signifying an individual from that region.
116. **von Unruh:** From the name of a place in Prussia, Germany, signifying an individual from that region.
117. **von Valois:** From the name of a place in France, signifying an individual associated with that location.
118. **von Veltheim:** From the name of a place in Lower Saxony, Germany, signifying an individual from that region.
119. **von Verdy du Vernois:** A double-barreled name combining the names of two places in France, signifying an individual associated with both locations.
120. **von Vieregge:** From the name of a place in Westphalia, Germany, signifying an individual from that region.
121. **von Vincke:** From the name of a place in Westphalia, Germany, signifying an individual from that region.
122. **von Voß:** From the name of a place in Westphalia, Germany, signifying an individual from that region.
123. **von Wartenberg:** From the name of a place in Bavaria, Germany, signifying an individual from that region.
124. **von Wedel:** From the name of a place in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, signifying an individual associated with that location.
125. **von Weissenborn:** From the name of a place in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany, signifying an individual from that region.
126. **von Welck:** From the name of a place in Brandenburg, Germany, signifying an individual from that region.
127. **von Westerholt:** From the name of a place in Westphalia, Germany, signifying an individual from that region.
128. **von Wietersheim:** From the name of a place in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany, signifying an individual from that region.
129. **von Wilmowsky:** From the name of a place in Prussia, Germany, signifying an individual from that region.
130. **von Winterfeldt:** From the name of a place in Brandenburg, Germany, signifying an individual from that region.
131. **von Wittgenstein:** From the name of a place in Westphalia, Germany, signifying an individual from that region.
132. **von Wrangel:** From the name of a place in Sweden, signifying an individual associated with that location.
133. **von Zedlitz:** From the name of a place in Silesia, Poland, signifying an individual associated with that location.
134. **von Zeppelin:** From the name of a place in Swabia, Germany, signifying an individual from that region.
135. **von Zieten:** From the name of a place in Brandenburg, Germany, signifying an individual from that region.
136. **von Zittwitz:** From the name of a place in Silesia, Poland, signifying an individual associated with that location.
137. **von Zorn:** Derived from the German "zorn" meaning "anger," indicating a person who was known for their fierce temperament.