Show ContentsRosenkranz History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Rosenkranz

What does the name Rosenkranz mean?

Schleswig-Holstein, which is the northernmost state in western Germany, is the homeland of the proud surname Rosenkranz. By and large, hereditary surnames were formed in Germany when areas of Schleswig, and most of the German states, were a part of the Holy Roman Empire. At this time, as the population of Europe swelled and travel became easier, people began to encounter others sharing their own name and they avoided confusion by adopting a second name. Common forms of surnames found in Schleswig are those that are derived from nicknames.

Early Origins of the Rosenkranz family

The surname Rosenkranz was first found in Schleswig-Holstein, where this family became prominent contributors to the development of the district from ancient times. Always prominent in social affairs, the name became an integral part of that turbulent region as they emerged to form alliances with other families within the Feudal System and the nation. Translated literally, the name means "crown of roses." In the year 1325, Holger Rosenkranz traveled to Rome from Denmark to receive a crown of roses from the pope, which he then incorporated into his coat-of-arms. He was the son of Knight Erich von Rosenkranz, and owned the estates of Bollar in Jutland. He married Margaretha von Flemming, from the nobility of Norway, thus extending the family estates into that country.

Early History of the Rosenkranz family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Rosenkranz research. Another 176 words (13 lines of text) covering the years 1517, 1519, 1523, 1525, 1560, 1568, 1575, 1596, 1603, 1608, 1614, 1628, 1634, 1651, 1659, 1670, 1674, 1675, 1676, 1685, 1697, 1700, 1723, 1724, 1745, 1746, 1777, 1802, 1805 and 1879 are included under the topic Early Rosenkranz History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Rosenkranz Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Rosenkrantz, Rosenkranz, Rosenkrans, Rosenkrant, Rossenkrantz, Rossenkranz, Rossenkrant, Rossenkrants, Rozenkrantz, Rozenkranz, Rosenkrants, Rozenkrant, Rozenkrants, Rosencrantz, Rosencrants, Rosencranz, Rosencrant, Rosecrans, Rosencrans, Rosecrantz, Rosekranz, Rosekrantz and many more.

Early Notables of the Rosenkranz family

Notables of the time included

  • Karl Rosenkranz (1805-1879), who was a prominent German philosopher...


Rosenkranz migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Rosenkranz Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Herman Rosenkranz, who sailed to New Netherlands (now New York) in 1657
Rosenkranz Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Friederike Rosenkranz, who landed in North America in 1832-1849 1
  • Ferdinand Rosenkranz, who arrived in New York in 1850 1
  • Ludwig Rosenkranz, who landed in New York in 1850 1
  • August Rosenkranz, who landed in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1876 1

Contemporary Notables of the name Rosenkranz (post 1700) +

  • Thomas Rosenkranz (b. 1977), American pianist
  • Nicholas Quinn Rosenkranz (b. 1970), American law professor at Georgetown University Law Center
  • Robert Rosenkranz (b. 1942), American philanthropist and the CEO of Delphi Financial Group
  • Johann Karl Friedrich Rosenkranz (1805-1879), German philosopher
  • Barbara Rosenkranz (b. 1958), Austrian politician for the Freedom Party of Austria
  • Baron Timme Rosenkranz (1911-1969), Danish aristocrat, author, and jazz enthusiast
  • George Rosenkranz (b. 1916), Mexican steroid chemist and professional contract bridge player


  1. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)


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