Nobiliary Particles Used By German Nobility
Most, but not all, surnames of the German nobility were preceded by or contained the preposition von (meaning "of") or zu (meaning "to", sometimes "at") as nobiliary particle. The two were often combined into von und zu (meaning "of and to/at"). In general, the "von" form indicates the place the family originated, while the "zu" form indicates that the family remains in possession of the estate from which the surname is drawn: Therefore von und zu indicates a family which is both named for and continues to own their original feudal holding or residence. Other forms also exist as combinations with the definitive article: e.g. "von der" or von dem → "vom" ("of the"), zu der → "zur" or zu dem → "zum" ("of the", "in the", "at the").
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Famous quotes containing the words particles, german and/or nobility:
“O my countrymen!—be nice;Mbe cautious of your language;—and never, O! never let it be forgotten upon what small particles your eloquence and your fame depend.”
—Laurence Sterne (1713–1768)
“The French courage proceeds from vanity—the German from phlegm—the Turkish from fanaticism & opium—the Spanish from pride—the English from coolness—the Dutch from obstinacy—the Russian from insensibility—but the Italian from anger.”
—George Gordon Noel Byron (1788–1824)
“And nobility will not be able to help you with your love; Love does not know how to cede to ancestral images.”
—Propertius Sextus (c. 50–16 B.C.)