Last Name Von-saint-george

The surname "von Saint George" is a German and Swiss variation of the French and English surname "de Saint George." It is derived from the name of the patron saint of England, George. The term "von" is a German prefix that means "of" or "from," and it was often added to noble names to indicate aristocratic lineage. In this case, "von Saint George" suggests that the family may have originated from a place named Saint George. There are several towns in Europe with the name Saint George, including one in Germany (Heiligengeist-Geislingen), so it is difficult to pinpoint the exact location of the family's origins without additional context or information about the specific lineage. However, the surname "von Saint George" suggests that the family may have had some noble connections at some point in their history, as the use of the "von" prefix was typically reserved for nobility in Germany and Switzerland.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Von-saint-george

The meaning and origin of the last name Von-saint-george

The surname "von Saint George" is a German and Swiss variant of the French "de Saint Georges." It translates to "of Saint George," likely referring to a long-standing association with or origin from a place named after Saint George, the patron saint of England and soldiers, among others.

The name's origins can be traced back to the Crusades when European knights adopted the name "Saint George" as a mark of allegiance to the Crusader forces in the Holy Land. The "von" prefix, meaning "of" or "from," was added later during the Middle Ages in German-speaking regions to distinguish noble families from commoners. Thus, "von Saint George" emerged as a surname among these territories, symbolizing knightly lineage and religious devotion.

Geographical distribution of the last name Von-saint-george

The surname Von Saint George is predominantly found in countries with significant Germanic influences, such as Germany, Switzerland, and Austria. It may also be found among immigrants or their descendants from these regions who have settled in other parts of the world, including North America, particularly the United States and Canada. In some instances, it might also be encountered in the United Kingdom and other European countries due to historical migrations and marriages between families from different nations. The distribution of this surname is relatively concentrated in its origin countries but has dispersed globally through migration waves over centuries.

Variants and spellings of the last name Von-saint-george

The surname Von Saint George has several variations and spellings, primarily due to historical transcription errors, regional dialects, and family lineage changes. Some common variations include: Von St. George, Van Saint George, Von-Saint-George, de Saint George, De Von Saint George, Von Sainth George, and De Von Saint George. The name is a compound German surname, where 'von' denotes nobility and 'St. George' is derived from the popular saint, St. George, known for his legendary dragon-slaying feats in Christian hagiography. The surname may have originally been adopted by members of the Teutonic Order or other Crusader knights who took part in campaigns around the Middle East and were named after the saint, then anglicized upon settling in England.

Famous people with the last name Von-saint-george

Notable individuals bearing the surname von Saint George include:

1. Frederick Augustus von der Tann-Rathsamhausen, Count von Saint George (1843-1904), an Austro-Hungarian general who served in the Austro-Prussian War and the Franco-Prussian War.
2. Charles Henry von St. George (1877-1952), a British author, best known for his historical novel "The Green Leopard Plague" set during the Crimean War.
3. Paul von Hindenburg (1847-1934), Field Marshal and President of Germany from 1925 until 1934, who bears the title 'von Saint George' in addition to his original surname. He played a key role in defeating Napoleon in World War I before becoming the first president under the Weimar Republic.
4. Karl von St. George (1876-1959), an Austrian conductor and composer who was the director of the Vienna State Opera from 1938 to 1945.
5. Adolf Friedrich von Saint Georges (born 1939), a German actor known for his role in the television series "Tatort" and various films throughout his career.
6. Alexander von St. George (b. 1972), an American professional tennis player who won six Grand Slam mixed doubles titles during the 1990s, partnering with several notable women players including Gigi Fernández and Lisa Raymond.

Genealogical research on the last name Von-saint-george

The surname Von Saint George is a Germanized form of the French noble family name Sainte-Georges, which originated from the region of Normandy, France. The family's lineage can be traced back to the High Middle Ages, around the 11th or 12th century. One of the most notable members of the family was Jean de Sainte-Georges, who fought at the Battle of Agincourt in 1415 and was subsequently rewarded with land in Germany by Emperor Sigismund, marking the beginning of the German branch of the family. The family gained further prominence during the Holy Roman Empire and the Prussian Empire, with several members holding noble titles and positions within the military and government. The surname is known to have been modified to Von Saint George in Germany, indicating a noble lineage. Today, descendants of the Von Saint George family can be found across Europe and North America.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "von-saint-george"
• Global distribution of the surname on Forebears.io
• Wikipedia Article

About the author :

NomOrigine Team
Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.
Last updated : 30 July 2025

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