The suffix "Zu" means "at", or "of", and explains that a family are the present proprietors of a Feudal Estate. Eben Pages in category "German noble families" The following 200 pages are in this category, out of approximately 218 total. Most such families were owners of the tenure since the 700's. The meaning differs again. There was a time when they ruled over the land they owned – and over the feudal subjects they owned. Denhart. But noble families aren’t nearly as powerful as they once were. The wealthier, influential aristocratic families rose to great heights and directly involved themselves in the most decisive events of the unraveling European history. Sense of Superiority of … Joining a noble family. ... German aristocrats didn't all disappear on that day. The combination of the prepositions "von" and "Zu" ("von und zu") means according to German Tradition that a noble family is at present in proprietorship of their ancient Feudal Seat. The Divisions of German Nobility. ... ” In most cases those families never applied for an imperial recognition because their family tree is longer than any other family tree in Germany. It is derived from the German name ‘Degenhardt,’ which is composed of Old German words, namely ‘degen’ meaning ‘young warrior’ and ‘hardt’ meaning ‘strong.’ 26. Here are the 10 most notorious of those historically powerful families. The armorial bearings of these noble families generally followed styles of the Holy Roman Empire and later the Kingdom of Prussia. This list may not reflect recent changes ( learn more ). The German word for a noble is "Edelmann" literally in English "gentleman." In our latest article we are heading to the very heart of early modern Europe, as we discuss the most famous German noble family, the House of Hohenzollern. Not every German noble family is included, as most often the family concerned must contribute financially to its inclusion, or the family may be too small, poor, or unwilling to warrant repeated updating. During this period, Albert, Duke of Prussia and 37th Grand Master of the Teutonic Knights, became the first duke of the Duchy of Prussia after converting to Lutheranism. Take for instance Albert, Prince of Thurn and Taxis, born in 1983. Another origin is the German word ‘edel,’ which means ‘noble’ or an ‘aristocrat.’ 25. The present document sets out the families of German nobility after the partition of the Carolingian empire which was agreed under the 843 Treaty of Verdun, when the kingdom of the East Franks (which later evolved into the kingdom of Germany) and the kingdom of Lotharingia were formed. The Rothschild family (often referred to simply as the Rothschilds), is an international banking and finance dynasty of German Jewish origin that established operations across Europe, and was ennobled by the Austrian and British governments. Uradel (ancient nobility): Nobility that dates back to at least the 1500s, and originates from leadership positions during the Migration Period. By contrast, the Prussian educational system remained the best in Europe, the University of Berlin in particular enjoying an unrivaled reputation. German noble families were almost always armigerous, entitled to bear a coat of arms. No longer a real prince. They say absolute power corrupts absolutely; some noble families were strikingly powerful. Prussia - Prussia - The kingdom from 1815 to 1918: The reforming impulse flagged after 1815. Frederick William III promised in May 1815 to introduce a constitution but failed to carry out his promise, and the army lost much of its new spirit.