German nobility

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

German nobility was the aristocratic class in Germany. The nobility was divided in various subgroups:

Uradel (ancient Nobility): Nobility that dates back to at least 1400, and originates from leadership positions during the Migration Period.
Briefadel (newer nobility): Nobility by patent. The first known document is from September 30, 1360 for Wyker Frosch in Mainz.
Hochadel (high nobility): Nobility that was sovereign or had a high degree of sovereignty.
Niederer Adel (lower nobility): Nobility that had a lower degree of sovereignty.

The surnames were often preceded by von or zu, as for example Manfred von Richthofen or Richard von Weizsäcker. Forms utilising von der and vom (both meaning of the) as well as zur and zum (both meaning of the or in the) exist as well, such as Ludwig von der Pfordten, Hans Freiherr zu Rhein and Carl Neumann zum Neuenthurm. The prefix von does not necessarily indicate nobility and not all noble families used a preposition. Occasionally some families would use von und zu, meaning of and in.

Legally, the German aristocracy was abolished on August 11, 1919 with the Weimar constitution, when all Germans were made equal before the law, and any legal distinction due to nobility ceased to exist. The titles became part of the name of the Family, as for example Otto Graf Lambsdorff. In some segments of society, however, nobility continues to play an important role, with various organizations related to nobility.