# Von

/ˈvɔn/ (US) · CEFR C1 · Preposition

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/von
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Definition

a word used in German names to show that a person's family originally came from a certain place or belonged to the nobility.

For teachers: a preposition used in German-language surnames to indicate noble lineage or geographical origin. It is typically not capitalized unless it begins a sentence.

## Examples

- The famous writer's name was Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.
- In historical documents, the presence of 'von' in a surname often signaled that the individual held land or a title.
- While many modern families retain the 'von' as a traditional part of their legal surname, it no longer carries the formal legal privileges of the former German aristocracy.

## Usage notes

- Used as a particle within a surname; it is generally not capitalized in the middle of a sentence.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.