Von History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

• Origins Available:
• Scotland

The history of the ancestors of the Von family begins among the Pictish clans ancient Scotland. The name Von comes from the Gaelic word Beathan or betha which means life. Bean was also the name of a saint in the Breviary of Aberdeen.

Early Origins of the Von family

The surname Von was first found in Aberdeen (part of the modern Grampian region), where one of the first times the name arose was a Bean who was a magistrate circa 1210. It is known, however, that the MacBains moved to Invernessshire, as sod bearers to the Chiefs of the great Clan Chattan (a powerful confederation of early Clans). The name literally means "son of the fair lad," and was frequently translated to MacBean (Bain.)

Saint Bean or Beyn ( fl. 1011), was, according to Fordun, appointed first bishop of Murthlach by Malclom II, at the instance of Pope Benedict VIII. A fragment of the charter of Malcolm II (1003-1029?), preserved in the register of the diocese of Aberdeen confirms this claim. ^[1] However, St. Bean is distinctly referred to as a native of Ireland: 'In Hybernia natalis Beani primi episcopi Aberdonensis et confessoris'. ^[1]

Important Dates for the Von family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Von research. Another 139 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1411, 1400, 1550 and 1745 are included under the topic Early Von History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Von Spelling Variations

Prior to the invention of the printing press in the last hundred years, documents were basically unique. Names were written according to sound, and often appeared differently each time they were recorded. Spelling variations of the name Von include Bean, Beane, Beyn, Bayn, Bene, Bane, Baine, Beine, Bayne, Beyne, Been, Beaine, MacBain, MacBean, MacVain, MacBean, MacVan and many more.

Early Notables of the Von family (pre 1700)

More information is included under the topic Early Von Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Von family to Ireland

Some of the Von family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Von migration to Australia

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Von Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

• Voss Fr. Aug. von, aged 24, who arrived in South Australia in 1847 aboard the ship "Hermann von Beckerath" ^[2]
• Gartner W.G. von, who arrived in South Australia in 1848 aboard the ship "Alfred" ^[3]
• Osten L. Von, who arrived in South Australia in 1849 aboard the ship "Steinwaerder" ^[4]

Contemporary Notables of the name Von (post 1700)

• Friedrich von Hayek CH (1899-1992), Austrian-born economist and philosopher, co-recipient of the 1974 Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences, recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom
• Friedrich von Scholtz (b. 1851), German general, Commander of 20th Corps and the 8th Army of the German Empire on the Eastern Front in the First World War
• Géza von Habsburg (b. 1940), Archduke of Austria
• Gabriela von Habsburg (b. 1956), Archduchess of Austria
• Francesca von Habsburg (b. 1958), Archduchess of Austria
• Georg von Habsburg (b. 1964), referred to in Austria as Georg Habsburg-Lothringen, in Hungary as Habsburg György, and by his royal name as Archduke Georg of Austria
• Karl von Habsburg (b. 1961), also known as Karl of Austria and Archduke of Austria, Royal Prince of Hungary, Bohemia and Croatia
• Otto von Habsburg (1912-2011), also known by his traditional royal title of Archduke Otto of Austria, the last Crown Prince of Austria-Hungary from 1916 until the dissolution of the empire in 1919
• Ottomar von Behr (1810-1856), German-born, American settler to Texas where he became a noted meteorologist and naturalist
• Rudolf von Raumer (1815-1876), German philologist and linguist, known for his extensive research of the German language, son of Karl Georg von Raumer

Citations

1. ^ Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
2. ^ State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) HERMANN VON BECKERATH 1847. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1847HermanVonBeckerath.htm
3. ^ State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) ALFRED 1848. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1848Alfred.htm
4. ^ State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) STEINWARDER 1849 aka STEINWAERDER. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1849Steinwarder.htm