Alphabetic Sorting of Noble Names
When sorting noble – as well as non-noble – names in alphabetic sequence, the eventual prepositions, as mentioned above, and the titles, in Germany forming part of the surname since 1919, are ignored. Also name elements which have developed from honorary functions, such as Schenk (short for Mundschenk ), are overlooked. Since the prepositions are not considered relevant when sorting, the prepositions are not capitalised unless they begin a sentence. In this the German language practice differs from Dutch in the Netherlands, where the particle van is usually capitalised when mentioned without preceding given names or initials, or from Dutch in Belgium, where the name particle Van is always capitalised. The above-mentioned exemplary Kasimir von der Recke is thus sorted as:
- Recke, Graf Kasimir von der (for people died before 1919), or
- Recke, Kasimir Graf von der (for people alive, or dead thereafter).
Read more about this topic: German Nobility
Famous quotes containing the words noble and/or names:
“Methinks I see in my mind a noble and puissant nation rousing herself like a strong man after sleep, and shaking her invincible locks. Methinks I see her as an eagle mewing her mighty youth, and kindling her undazzled eyes at the full midday beam.”
—John Milton (1608–1674)
“Every man who has lived for fifty years has buried a whole world or even two; he has grown used to its disappearance and accustomed to the new scenery of another act: but suddenly the names and faces of a time long dead appear more and more often on his way, calling up series of shades and pictures kept somewhere, “just in case” in the endless catacombs of the memory, making him smile or sigh, and sometimes almost weep.”
—Alexander Herzen (1812–1870)