Surname von Witzleben - Meaning and Origin
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von Witzleben: What does the surname von Witzleben mean?
The surname von Witzleben is a German locational surname, derived from the place of Witzleben in Brandenburg-Prussia (now part of the state of Saxony-Anhalt). Witzleben was originally an estate belonging to a former noble family, the Lords of Witzleben. They are likely to have been descended from a noble line, the Counts of Mark, the landgraves of Meissen or the counts of Plötzkau.
The use of the term “von” (meaning “from” in German) usually implies a noble origin, as it indicates that the family is associated with a certain place. Some experts believe that the use of “von” may have begun to differentiate between nobles and non-nobles in the 14th century. The addition of the surname von Witzleben indicates that the original bearer of the name was likely either a former noble of Witzleben or a person who was connected to the area in some way.
In modern society, the surname von Witzleben is still common in many parts of Germany. It is also present in other countries with a large German population, such as Canada, the US and Australia. Many of the bearers of the surname today may not be related to the original noble family, but the “von” is often retained as a sort of symbol of past status and as a reminder to oneself of one’s own past.
Order DNA origin analysisvon Witzleben: Where does the name von Witzleben come from?
The von Witzleben last name is a fairly rare surname today. Historically, it has been most prominent in Germany, as well as parts of Poland, Austria, and Hungary. This surname originates from a Germanic noble family that became prominent in the late Middle Ages, and it was frequently adopted by families from the lower classes who wanted to join the nobility.
Today, the von Witzleben last name is still fairly common in Germany, particularly in the states of Saxony and Thuringia. It is also popular in Austria and Hungary, although it is not as often used in either of these countries as it is in Germany. There are also a few people who bear the von Witzleben name living in the United States, Canada, and Australia, although this number is relatively small.
Furthermore, there are a few variations of the von Witzleben name, including Witzleb, Witzelben, and Witzelbauer, which are all variations that are still used today. As a whole, the von Witzleben surname is not particularly common but it is still present in many parts of the world today, mostly due to families wanting to hold on to the noble legacy of the past.
Variations of the surname von Witzleben
The variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for the surname von Witzleben include:
Witzleben, v. Witzleben, von Witzleben, Witzleb, v. Witzleb, von Witzleb, Witzleben-Aschenfeld, v. Witzleben-Aschenfeld, von Witzleben-Aschenfeld, Witzleb-Aschenfeld, v. Witzleb-Aschenfeld, von Witzleb-Aschenfeld, Witzleben-Beust, v. Witzleben-Beust, von Witzleben-Beust, v. Witzlében, v. Witzleben, v. Wützleben.
The surname von Witzleben originates from the ancient Germanic name Wizzilo, which means “the brave”. In the Middle Ages, this was a very popular name, and led to the creation of many different variations of surnames. Over the centuries, the surname von Witzleben has undergone many changes based on its regional origin. For example, in the 1500s it appeared as Witzlében in Alsace, while in the 18th century it was declared Von Witzleben in central Germany. Some of these variations were adopted as surnames in their own right. One of the most common forms is Witzleben-Aschenfeld, which developed as a result of the male line of the von Witzleben family marrying into the Aschenfeld family in the late 1700s.
Overall, there are many variants, spelling variations, and surnames of the same origin for the von Witzleben family name. These variations could be a result of regional origin or mixed marriage, and these surnames were likely adopted over the centuries in order to preserve the identity or connection to the von Witzleben family legacy.
Famous people with the name von Witzleben
- Hans von Witzleben (1881-1944): a German military leader during World War II. He was involved in the July 20, 1944 plot to assassinate Hitler, and was arrested and executed for treason.
- Alfred von Witzleben (1881-1945): a German general during World War II. He was part of the German anti-Hitler resistance, and was also arrested and executed for his involvement in the July 20th assassination plot.
- Erwin von Witzleben (1881-1971): a German resistance fighter during World War II and titled German resistance fighter, he was also involved in the July 20th plot to kill Hitler.
- Ludwig von Witzleben (1887-1944): a German officer in World War I and World War II and a leading member of the July 20th plot to assassinate Hitler. He was killed while in prison after the failed assassination plot.
- Peter von Witzleben (1899–1945): a Wehrmacht officer and distant relative of the other Witzleben’s related to the July 20th plot. He was executed for treason.
- von Witzleben Family: descendants of a baronial German family who predates World War II. Their members were involved in both World Wars and numerous activities after the war. Most notably, members of the family were involved in the July 20 plot.
- Hans-Ulrich von Witzleben (1930-2017): son of Alfred von Witzleben and a German diplomat and diplomat-lecturer. He had numerous distinguished positions in Berlin and was a member of Germany's Diplomatic Academy.