German Nobility Family Names: A Comprehensive Guide

Unveiling the rich tapestry of German history, we embark on a journey to explore the distinguished family names that have shaped the nation's aristocracy. These names, often steeped in tradition and legacy, hold stories of power, influence, and lineage, reflecting the intricate social fabric of the past. Join us as we delve into the world of German nobility family names, uncovering their origins, meanings, and the fascinating tales they carry.
1. **von Adelmann:** Derived from "Adel," meaning nobility, and "Mann," meaning man. This name signifies a noble person.
2. **von Alvensleben:** Originates from the village of Alvensleben in Saxony-Anhalt, meaning "meadow of the elves."
3. **von Arnim:** From the town of Arnim in Brandenburg, possibly referring to an oak grove.
4. **von Aufsess:** From the village of Aufsess in Franconia, meaning "seat on the hill."
5. **von Bach:** Meaning "stream" or "brook," referencing a location near a body of water.
6. **von Beust:** Originates from the town of Beust in Saxony, potentially meaning "high point" or "summit."
7. **von Bismarck:** Derived from the village of Bismarck in Mecklenburg, likely referring to a birch tree grove.
8. **von Bothmer:** From the village of Bothmer in Mecklenburg, meaning "dweller at the bog."
9. **von Bredow:** Originating from the village of Bredow in Brandenburg, likely referring to a broad meadow.
10. **von Bülow:** From the village of Bülow in Mecklenburg, meaning "dwelling near a hill."
11. **von der Goltz:** From the village of Goltz in Brandenburg, likely meaning "golden hill."
12. **von der Heydte:** From the village of Heydte in Saxony, meaning "heath" or "moorland."
13. **von der Schulenburg:** Derived from the village of Schulenburg in Saxony, meaning "school of the hill."
14. **von Dernbach:** Originating from the village of Dernbach in Hesse, meaning "brook of the deer."
15. **von Dieskau:** From the village of Dieskau in Saxony, meaning "village of the people."
16. **von Donnersmarck:** Originates from the village of Donnersmarck in Silesia, meaning "thunder's mark."
17. **von Eicken:** From the village of Eicken in Westphalia, meaning "oak tree."
18. **von Einsiedel:** Originating from the village of Einsiedel in Saxony, meaning "hermit's dwelling."
19. **von Erffa:** From the village of Erffa in Hesse, meaning "riverbank" or "edge of the river."
20. **von Fabrice:** Derived from the French word "fabrice," meaning "workshop" or "forge."
21. **von Fritsch:** Originating from the village of Fritsch in Saxony, meaning "peace" or "tranquility."
22. **von Fürstenberg:** From the village of Fürstenberg in Baden-Württemberg, meaning "prince's mountain."
23. **von Gaisberg:** Originates from the village of Gaisberg in Austria, meaning "goat's mountain."
24. **von Gersdorff:** From the village of Gersdorff in Saxony, meaning "village of the people."
25. **von Gleichen:** Originating from the village of Gleichen in Thuringia, meaning "equal" or "similar."
26. **von Goertz:** From the village of Goertz in Brandenburg, meaning "village of the people."
27. **von Görtz:** Originates from the village of Görtz in Brandenburg, meaning "village of the people."
28. **von Hardenberg:** From the village of Hardenberg in Westphalia, meaning "hard mountain."
29. **von Haugwitz:** Originating from the village of Haugwitz in Silesia, meaning "forest clearing."
30. **von Helldorf:** From the village of Helldorf in Bavaria, meaning "clear spring" or "bright source."
31. **von Hohenlohe:** Originates from the village of Hohenlohe in Franconia, meaning "high clearing."
32. **von Humboldt:** From the village of Humboldt in Brandenburg, meaning "high hill."
33. **von Ingelheim:** Originating from the village of Ingelheim in Rhineland-Palatinate, meaning "in the enclosure."
34. **von Ketteler:** From the village of Ketteler in Westphalia, meaning "chain" or "link."
35. **von Klencke:** Originates from the village of Klencke in Mecklenburg, meaning "small hill."
36. **von Knigge:** From the village of Knigge in Hesse, meaning "little knight."
37. **von Knyphausen:** Originating from the village of Knyphausen in East Friesland, meaning "dwelling by the house."
38. **von Koerber:** From the village of Koerber in Austria, meaning "cart driver."
39. **von Kotzebue:** Originates from the village of Kotzebue in Estonia, meaning "dweller at the oak."
40. **von Krefft:** From the village of Krefft in Brandenburg, meaning "strong" or "powerful."
41. **von Krosigk:** Originating from the village of Krosigk in Saxony, meaning "crossed field."
42. **von Kühn:** From the village of Kühn in Brandenburg, meaning "bold" or "brave."
43. **von Lützow:** Originates from the village of Lützow in Mecklenburg, meaning "small forest."
44. **von Manteuffel:** From the village of Manteuffel in Brandenburg, meaning "cloak" or "mantle."
45. **von Marwitz:** Originating from the village of Marwitz in Brandenburg, meaning "meadow" or "moorland."
46. **von Moltke:** From the village of Moltke in Mecklenburg, meaning "moist meadow."
47. **von Münchhausen:** Originates from the village of Münchhausen in Lower Saxony, meaning "monk's house."
48. **von Neipperg:** From the village of Neipperg in Württemberg, meaning "new dwelling."
49. **von Nostitz:** Originating from the village of Nostitz in Silesia, meaning "dwelling at the cliff."
50. **von Oeynhausen:** From the village of Oeynhausen in Westphalia, meaning "island house."
51. **von Pfuel:** Originates from the village of Pfuel in Mecklenburg, meaning "pfeffer" (pepper) or "pfühl" (pole).
52. **von Pückler-Muskau:** From the villages of Pückler and Muskau in Saxony, meaning "plucker" and "meadow."
53. **von Quadt:** Originating from the village of Quadt in Westphalia, meaning "quarter" or "section."
54. **von Rantzau:** From the village of Rantzau in Schleswig-Holstein, meaning "clearing" or "meadow."
55. **von Rechberg:** Originates from the village of Rechberg in Württemberg, meaning "rich mountain."
56. **von Riedesel:** From the village of Riedesel in Hesse, meaning "reed field."
57. **von Rochow:** Originating from the village of Rochow in Brandenburg, meaning "clearing" or "meadow."
58. **von Rohr:** From the village of Rohr in Westphalia, meaning "reed" or "cane."
59. **von Rosenberg:** Originates from the village of Rosenberg in Bavaria, meaning "rose mountain."
60. **von Saldern:** From the village of Saldern in Saxony, meaning "salt meadow."
61. **von Schack:** Originating from the village of Schack in Mecklenburg, meaning "sheep" or "flock."
62. **von Schleinitz:** From the village of Schleinitz in Saxony, meaning "slippery meadow."
63. **von Schlieffen:** Originates from the village of Schlieffen in Brandenburg, meaning "closed meadow."
64. **von Schmettow:** From the village of Schmettow in Pomerania, meaning "smith's meadow."
65. **von Schönborn:** Originating from the village of Schönborn in Franconia, meaning "beautiful spring."
66. **von Schuckmann:** From the village of Schuckmann in Westphalia, meaning "shoemaker."
67. **von Seydlitz:** Originates from the village of Seydlitz in Silesia, meaning "village of the people."
68. **von Soden:** From the village of Soden in Hesse, meaning "sod" or "turf."
69. **von Stein:** Originating from the village of Stein in Franconia, meaning "stone" or "rock."
70. **von Stietencron:** From the village of Stietencron in Westphalia, meaning "dwelling at the stone cross."
71. **von Stolberg:** Originates from the village of Stolberg in Harz, meaning "proud mountain."
72. **von Strachwitz:** From the village of Strachwitz in Silesia, meaning "straight road."
73. **von Trotha:** Originating from the village of Trotha in Saxony, meaning "dwelling at the river."
74. **von Unruh:** From the village of Unruh in Brandenburg, meaning "restless" or "uneasy."
75. **von der Velde:** Originates from the village of Velde in Westphalia, meaning "field" or "meadow."
76. **von Vieregge:** From the village of Vieregge in Westphalia, meaning "four corners."
77. **von Wartenberg:** Originating from the village of Wartenberg in Bavaria, meaning "waiting mountain."
78. **von Wedel:** From the village of Wedel in Schleswig-Holstein, meaning "meadow" or "pasture."
79. **von Weissenborn:** Originates from the village of Weissenborn in Saxony, meaning "white spring."
80. **von Westerholt:** From the village of Westerholt in Westphalia, meaning "western clearing."
81. **von Witzleben:** Originating from the village of Witzleben in Hesse, meaning "white life."
82. **von Zedlitz:** From the village of Zedlitz in Silesia, meaning "cedar tree."
83. **von Zieten:** Originates from the village of Zieten in Brandenburg, meaning "dweller at the fence."
84. **von Zinzendorf:** From the village of Zinzendorf in Saxony, meaning "dweller at the zinc mine."
85. **von Zois:** Originating from the village of Zois in Carinthia, meaning "dweller at the lake."