House of Hohenzollern
CountryGermany, Romania
EtymologyHohenzollern Castle
FoundedBefore 1061
FounderBurkhard I, Lord of Zollern
Current head
  • Germany and Prussia:
    Prince Georg Friedrich (1994–present)
  • Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen:
    Prince Karl Friedrich (2010–present)
Final ruler
Titles
  • German Emperor
  • Count of Zollern
  • Margrave of Brandenburg
  • Duke of Prussia
  • Burgrave of Nuremberg
  • Margrave of Brandenburg-Bayreuth
  • Margrave of Brandenburg-Ansbach
  • King of Prussia
  • King in Prussia
  • King of Romania
  • Grand Master of the Teutonic Order
  • Prince of Hohenzollern-Hechingen (before 1869)
  • Prince of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen (before 1869)
  • Prince of Hohenzollern (after 1869)
  • Prince of Neuchâtel (1707–1807, 1814–1857)
Prince of Romania Grand Voevode of Alba Iulia
Estate(s)Germany, Prussia, Romania, Russia
Deposition
Cadet branches

The House of Hohenzollern (/ˌhoʊənˈzɒlərn/, US also /-nˈzɔːl-, -ntˈsɔːl-/;[1][2][3][4] German: Haus Hohenzollern, pronounced [ˌhaʊs hoːənˈtsɔlɐn] ⓘ; Romanian: Casa de Hohenzollern) is a formerly royal (and from 1871 to 1918, imperial) German dynasty whose members were variously princes, electors, kings and emperors of Hohenzollern, Brandenburg, Prussia, the German Empire, and Romania. The family came from the area around the town of Hechingen in Swabia during the late 11th century and took their name from Hohenzollern Castle.[5] The first ancestors of the Hohenzollerns were mentioned in 1061.

The Hohenzollern family split into two branches, the Catholic Swabian branch and the Protestant Franconian branch,[6] which ruled the Burgraviate of Nuremberg and later became the Brandenburg–Prussian branch. The Swabian branch ruled the principalities of Hohenzollern-Hechingen and Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen until 1849, and also ruled Romania from 1866 to 1947. Members of the Franconian branch became Margrave of Brandenburg in 1415 and Duke of Prussia in 1525.

The Margraviate of Brandenburg and the Duchy of Prussia were ruled in personal union after 1618 and were called Brandenburg-Prussia. From there, the Kingdom of Prussia was created in 1701, eventually leading to the unification of Germany and the creation of the German Empire in 1871, with the Hohenzollerns as hereditary German Emperors and Kings of Prussia.

Germany's defeat in World War I in 1918 led to the German Revolution. The Hohenzollerns were overthrown and the Weimar Republic was established, thus bringing an end to the German and Prussian monarchy. Georg Friedrich, Prince of Prussia, is the current head of the formerly royal Prussian line, while Karl Friedrich, Prince of Hohenzollern, is the head of the formerly princely Swabian line.[6]

County of Zollern

Zollern, from 1218 Hohenzollern, was a county of the Holy Roman Empire. Later its capital was Hechingen.

The Hohenzollerns named their estates after Hohenzollern Castle in the Swabian Alps. The Hohenzollern Castle lies on an 855 meters high mountain called Hohenzollern. It still belongs to the family today.

The dynasty was first mentioned in 1061. According to the medieval chronicler Berthold of Reichenau, Burkhard I, Count of Zollern (de Zolorin) was born before 1025 and died in 1061.[7]

In 1095, Count Adalbert of Zollern founded the Benedictine monastery of Alpirsbach, situated in the Black Forest.

The Zollerns received the Graf title from Emperor Henry V in 1111.

As loyal vassals of the Swabian Hohenstaufen dynasty, they were able to significantly enlarge their territory. Count Frederick III (c. 1139 – c. 1200) accompanied Emperor Frederick Barbarossa against Henry the Lion in 1180, and through his marriage was granted the Burgraviate of Nuremberg by Emperor Henry VI in 1192. In about 1185, he married Sophia of Raabs, the daughter of Conrad II, Burgrave of Nuremberg.[6] After the death of Conrad II who left no male heirs, Frederick III was granted Nuremberg as Burgrave Frederick I.

In 1218, the burgraviate passed to Frederick's elder son Conrad I; he thereby became the ancestor of the Franconian Hohenzollern branch, which acquired the Electorate of Brandenburg in 1415.[6]

Franconian branch

The senior Franconian branch of the House of Hohenzollern was founded by Conrad I, Burgrave of Nuremberg (1186–1261).

The family supported the Hohenstaufen and Habsburg rulers of the Holy Roman Empire during the 12th to 15th centuries, being rewarded with several territorial grants. Beginning in the 16th century, this branch of the family became Protestant and decided on expansion through marriage and the purchase of surrounding lands.

In the first phase, the family gradually added to their lands, at first with many small acquisitions in the Franconian region of Germany:

In the second phase, the family expanded their lands further with large acquisitions in the Brandenburg and Prussian regions of Germany and present-day Poland:

These acquisitions eventually transformed the Franconian Hohenzollerns from a minor German princely family into one of the most important dynasties in Europe.

From 8 January 1701 the title of Elector of Brandenburg was attached to the title of King in Prussia and, from 13 September 1772, to that of King of Prussia.

Burgraviate of Nuremberg (1192–1427) and the Principalities of Ansbach (1398–1791) and Kulmbach/Bayreuth (1398–1791)

As a burgraviate, Nuremberg was located in the namesake town; almost two centuries later, the burgraviate lost power over the city, which became independent from 1219. The burgraviate was eventually partitioned into Ansbach and Bayreuth. In 1427 Frederick, Elector of Brandenburg sold Nuremberg Castle and his rights as burgrave to the Imperial City of Nuremberg. The territories of Brandenburg-Ansbach and Brandenburg-Kulmbach remained possessions of the family, once parts of the Burgraviate of Nuremberg.

Dukes of Jägerndorf (1523–1622)

The Duchy of Jägerndorf (Krnov) was purchased in 1523, and was confiscated by Emperor Ferdinand III in 1622.

Margraviate of Brandenburg (1415–1619)

In 1411, Frederick VI, Burgrave of the small but wealthy Nuremberg, was appointed governor of Brandenburg in order to restore order and stability. At the Council of Constance in 1415, King Sigismund elevated Frederick to the rank of Elector and Margrave of Brandenburg as Frederick I. In 1417, Elector Frederick purchased Brandenburg from its then-sovereign, Emperor Sigismund, for 400,000 Hungarian guilders.

Margraviate of Küstrin (1535–1571)

The short-lived Margraviate of Brandenburg-Küstrin was set up as a secundogeniture of the House of Hohenzollern.

Margraviate of Schwedt (1688–1788)

Although recognized as a branch of the dynasty since 1688, the Margraviate of Brandenburg-Schwedt remained subordinate to the electors, and was never an independent principality.

Dukes of Prussia (1525–1701)

In 1525, the Duchy of Prussia was established as a fief of the King of Poland. Albert of Prussia was the last Grand Master of the Teutonic Knights and the first Duke of Prussia. He belonged to the Ansbach branch of the dynasty. The Duchy of Prussia adopted Protestantism as the official state religion.

From 1701, the title of Duke of Prussia was attached to the title of King in and of Prussia.

Kings in Prussia (1701–1772) and Kingdom of Prussia (1772–1918)

In 1701, the title of King in Prussia was granted, without the Duchy of Prussia being elevated to a Kingdom within Poland but recognized as a kingdom by the Holy Roman Emperor, theoretically the highest sovereign in the West. From 1701 onwards the titles of Duke of Prussia and Elector of Brandenburg were always attached to the title of King in Prussia. The Duke of Prussia adopted the title of king as Frederick I, establishing his status as a monarch whose royal territory lay outside the boundaries of the Holy Roman Empire, with the assent of Emperor Leopold I: Frederick could not be "King of Prussia" because part of Prussia's lands were under the suzerainty of the Crown of the Kingdom of Poland. In Brandenburg and the other Hohenzollern domains within the borders of the empire, he was legally still an elector under the ultimate overlordship of the emperor. By this time, however, the emperor's authority had become purely nominal over the other German princes outside the immediate hereditary lands of the emperor. Brandenburg was still legally part of the empire and ruled in personal union with Prussia, though the two states came to be treated as one de facto. The king was officially Margrave of Brandenburg within the Empire until the Empire's dissolution in 1806. In the age of absolutism, most monarchs were obsessed with the desire to emulate Louis XIV of France with his luxurious palace at Versailles.

In 1772, the Duchy of Prussia was elevated to a kingdom.

Frederick William's successor, Frederick the Great gained Silesia in the Silesian Wars so that Prussia emerged as a great power. The king was strongly influenced by French culture and civilization and preferred the French language.

In the 1772 First Partition of Poland, the Prussian king Frederick the Great annexed neighboring Royal Prussia, i.e., the Polish voivodeships of Pomerania (Gdańsk Pomerania or Pomerelia), Malbork, Chełmno and the Prince-Bishopric of Warmia, thereby connecting his Prussian and Farther Pomeranian lands and cutting off the rest of Poland from the Baltic coast. The territory of Warmia was incorporated into the lands of former Ducal Prussia, which, by administrative deed of 31 January 1772 were named East Prussia. The former Polish Pomerelian lands beyond the Vistula River together with Malbork and Chełmno Land formed the province of West Prussia with its capital at Marienwerder (Kwidzyn) in 1773. The Polish Partition Sejm ratified the cession on 30 September 1772, whereafter Frederick officially went on to call himself King "of" Prussia. From 1772 onwards the titles of Duke of Prussia and Elector of Brandenburg were always attached to the title King of Prussia.

In 1871, the Kingdom of Prussia became a constituent member of the German Empire, and the King of Prussia gained the additional title of German Emperor.

German Empire (1871–1918)

In 1871, the German Empire was proclaimed. With the accession of William I to the newly established imperial German throne, the titles of King of Prussia, Duke of Prussia and Elector of Brandenburg were always attached to the title of German Emperor.

Prussia's Minister President Otto von Bismarck convinced William that German Emperor instead of Emperor of Germany would be appropriate. He became primus inter pares among other German sovereigns.

William II intended to develop a German navy capable of challenging Britain's Royal Navy. The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria on 28 June 1914 set off the chain of events that led to World War I. As a result of the war, the German, Russian, Austro-Hungarian and Ottoman empires ceased to exist.

The new Hohenzollern crypt (Hohenzollerngruft) in the new Berlin Cathedral was completed in 1905.

In 1918, the German empire was abolished and replaced by the Weimar Republic. After the outbreak of the German revolution in 1918, both Emperor William II and Crown Prince William signed the document of abdication.

Prussian Hohenzollern religion and religious policy

The official religion of the state was "bi-confessional". John Sigismund's most significant action was his conversion from Lutheranism to Calvinism, after he had earlier equalized the rights of Catholics and Protestants in the Duchy of Prussia under pressure from the King of Poland. He was probably won over to Calvinism during a visit to Heidelberg in 1606, but it was not until 25 December 1613 that he publicly took communion according to the Calvinist rite. The vast majority of his subjects in Brandenburg, including his wife Anna of Prussia, remained deeply Lutheran, however. After the Elector and his Calvinist court officials drew up plans for mass conversion of the population to the new faith in February 1614, as provided for by the rule of Cuius regio, eius religio within the Holy Roman Empire, there were serious protests, with his wife backing the Lutherans. This was doubly important as Anna brought with her the duchy of Prussia into the Brandenburg line of the house and the nascent Brandenburg-Prussian state. Resistance was so strong that in 1615, John Sigismund backed down and relinquished all attempts at forcible conversion. Instead, he allowed his subjects to be either Lutheran or Calvinist according to the dictates of their own consciences. Henceforward, Brandenburg-Prussia would be a bi-confessional state, with the ruling Hohenzollern house staying Calvinist.[8]

This situation persisted until Frederick William III of Prussia. Frederick William was determined to unify the Protestant churches to homogenize their liturgy, organization, and architecture. The long-term goal was to have fully centralized royal control of all the Protestant churches in the Prussian Union of Churches. The merging of the Lutheran and Calvinist (Reformed) confessions to form the United Church of Prussia was highly controversial. Angry responses included a large and well-organized opposition. The crown's aggressive efforts to restructure religion were unprecedented in Prussian history. In a series of proclamations over several years, the Church of the Prussian Union was formed, bringing together the majority group of Lutherans and the minority group of Reformed Protestants. The main effect was that the government of Prussia had full control over church affairs, with the king himself recognized as the leading bishop.[9]

Succession tree of the Franconian House of Hohenzollern

Franconian/Brandenburg-Prussian branch since 1918 abdication

In June 1926, a referendum on expropriating the formerly ruling princes of Germany without compensation failed and as a consequence, the financial situation of the Hohenzollern family improved considerably. A settlement between the state and the family made Cecilienhof property of the state but granted a right of residence to Crown Prince Wilhelm and his wife Cecilie. The family also kept the ownership of Monbijou Palace in Berlin, Oleśnica Castle in Silesia, Rheinsberg Palace, Schwedt Palace and other property until 1945.

Since the abolition of the German monarchy, no Hohenzollern claims to imperial or royal prerogatives are recognized by Germany's Basic Law for the Federal Republic of Germany of 1949, which guarantees a republic.

The communist government of the Soviet occupation zone expropriated all landowners and industrialists; the House of Hohenzollern lost almost all of its fortune, retaining a few company shares and Hohenzollern Castle in West Germany. The Polish government appropriated the Silesian property and the Dutch government seized Huis Doorn, the Emperor's seat in exile.

After German reunification, however, the family was legally able to reclaim their portable property, namely art collections and parts of the interior of their former palaces. Negotiations on the return of or compensation for these assets are not yet completed.

The Berlin Palace, home of the German monarchs, was rebuilt in 2020. The Berlin Palace and the Humboldt Forum are located in the middle of Berlin.

Order of succession

Name Titular
reign 		Relation to predecessor
Wilhelm II 1918–1941 Succeeded himself as pretender to the throne.
Crown Prince Wilhelm 1941–1951 Son of
Louis Ferdinand, Prince of Prussia 1951–1994 Son of
Georg Friedrich, Prince of Prussia since 1994 Grandson of
Carl Friedrich, Prince of Prussia (heir apparent) Son of

The head of the house is the titular King of Prussia and German Emperor. He also bears a historical claim to the title of Prince of Orange. Members of this line style themselves princes of Prussia.

Georg Friedrich, Prince of Prussia, the current head of the royal Prussian House of Hohenzollern, was married to Princess Sophie of Isenburg on 27 August 2011. On 20 January 2013, she gave birth to twin sons, Carl Friedrich Franz Alexander and Louis Ferdinand Christian Albrecht, in Bremen. Carl Friedrich, the elder of the two, is the heir apparent.[10]

Living legitimate members of the Prussian branch

Bold signifies heads of the house and numbers shown indicate the pretense to the kingship of Prussia and the German Empire:

Swabian branch

The cadet Swabian[11] branch of the House of Hohenzollern was founded by Frederick IV, Count of Zollern. The family ruled three territories with seats at, respectively, Hechingen, Sigmaringen and Haigerloch. The counts were elevated to princes in 1623. The Swabian branch of the Hohenzollerns is Catholic.

Affected by economic problems and internal feuds, the Hohenzollern counts from the 14th century onwards came under pressure by their neighbors, the Counts of Württemberg and the cities of the Swabian League, whose troops besieged and finally destroyed Hohenzollern Castle in 1423. Nevertheless, the Hohenzollerns retained their estates, backed by their Brandenburg cousins and the Imperial House of Habsburg. In 1535, Count Charles I of Hohenzollern (1512–1576) received the counties of Sigmaringen and Veringen as Imperial fiefs.[6]

In 1576, when Charles I, Count of Hohenzollern died, his county was divided to form the three Swabian branches. Eitel Frederick IV took Hohenzollern with the title of Hohenzollern-Hechingen, Karl II took Sigmaringen and Veringen, and Christopher got Haigerloch. Christopher's family died out in 1634.

In 1695, the remaining two Swabian branches entered into an agreement with the Margrave of Brandenburg, which provided that if both branches became extinct, the principalities should fall to Brandenburg. Because of the Revolutions of 1848, Constantine, Prince of Hohenzollern-Hechingen and Karl Anton, Prince of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen abdicated their thrones in December 1849. The principalities were ruled by the Kings of Prussia from December 1849 onwards, with the Hechingen and Sigmaringen branches obtaining official treatment as cadets of the Prussian royal family.

The Hohenzollern-Hechingen branch became extinct in 1869. A descendant of this branch was Countess Sophie Chotek, morganatic wife of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Lotharingen.

Counts of Hohenzollern (1204–1575)

In 1204, the County of Hohenzollern was established out of the fusion of the County of Zollern and the Burgraviate of Nuremberg. The Swabian branch inherited the county of Zollern and, being descended from Frederick I of Nuremberg, were all named "Friedrich" down through the 11th generation.[12] Each one's numeral is counted from the first Friedrich to rule his branch's appanage.[12]

The most senior of these in the 14th century, Count Frederick VIII (d. 1333), had two sons, the elder of whom became Frederick IX (d. 1379), first Count of Hohenzollern, and fathered Friedrich X who left no sons when he died in 1412.[12]

But the younger son of Friedrich VIII, called Friedrich of Strassburg, uniquely, took no numeral of his own, retaining the old title "Count of Zollern" and pre-deceased his brother in 1364/65.[12] Prince Wilhelm Karl zu Isenburg's 1957 genealogical series, Europäische Stammtafeln, says Friedrich of Strassburg shared, rather, in the rule of Zollern with his elder brother until his premature death.[12]

It appears, but is not stated, that Strassburg's son became the recognized co-ruler of his cousin Friedrich X (as compensation for having received no appanage and/or because of incapacity on the part of Friedrich X) and, as such, assumed (or is, historically, attributed) the designation Frederick XI although he actually pre-deceased Friedrich X, dying in 1401.

Friedrich XI, however, left two sons who jointly succeeded their cousin-once-removed, being Count Frederick XII (d. childless 1443) and Count Eitel Friedrich I (d. 1439), the latter becoming the ancestor of all subsequent branches of the Princes of Hohenzollern.[12]

In the 12th century, a son of Frederick I secured the county of Hohenberg. The county remained in the possession of the family until 1486.

The influence of the Swabian line was weakened by several partitions of its lands. In the 16th century, the situation changed completely when Eitel Frederick II, a friend and adviser of the emperor Maximilian I, received the district of Haigerloch. His grandson Charles I was granted the counties of Sigmaringen and Vehringen by Charles V.

Counts, later Princes of Hohenzollern-Hechingen (1576–1849)

The County of Hohenzollern-Hechingen was established in 1576 with allodial rights. It included the original County of Zollern, with the Hohenzollern Castle and the monastery at Stetten.

In December 1849, the ruling princes of both Hohenzollern-Hechingen and Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen abdicated their thrones, and their principalities were incorporated as the Prussian province of Hohenzollern.[6] The Hechingen branch became extinct in dynastic line with Konstantin's death in 1869.

Counts of Hohenzollern-Haigerloch (1576–1634 and 1681–1767)

The County of Hohenzollern-Haigerloch was established in 1576 without allodial rights.

Between 1634 and 1681, the county was temporarily integrated into the principality of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen.

Upon the death of Francis Christopher Anton in 1767, the Haigerloch territory was incorporated into the principality of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen.

Counts, later Princes of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen (1576–1849)

The County of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen was established in 1576 with allodial rights and a seat at Sigmaringen Castle.

In December 1849, sovereignty over the principality was yielded to the Franconian branch of the family and incorporated into the Kingdom of Prussia, which accorded status as cadets of the Prussian Royal Family to the Swabian Hohenzollerns. The last ruling Prince of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen, Karl Anton, would later serve as Minister President of Prussia between 1858 and 1862.

House of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen after 1849

The family continued to use the title of Prince of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen. After the Hechingen branch became extinct in 1869, the Sigmaringen branch adopted title of Prince of Hohenzollern.

In 1866, Prince Charles of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen was chosen prince of Romania, becoming King Carol I of Romania in 1881.

Charles's elder brother, Leopold, Prince of Hohenzollern, was offered the Spanish throne in 1870 after a revolt exiled Isabella II in 1868. Although encouraged by Bismarck to accept, Leopold declined in the face of French opposition. Nonetheless, Bismarck altered and then published the Ems telegram to create a casus belli: France declared war, but Bismarck's Germany won the Franco-Prussian War.

The head of the Sigmaringen branch (the only extant line of the Swabian branch of the dynasty) is Karl Friedrich, styled His Highness The Prince of Hohenzollern. His official seat is Sigmaringen Castle.[6]

Kings of the Romanians

Reigning (1866–1947)

The Principality of Romania was established in 1862, after the Ottoman vassal states of Wallachia and Moldavia had been united in 1859 under Alexandru Ioan Cuza as Prince of Romania in a personal union. He was deposed in 1866 by the Romanian parliament.

Prince Charles of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen was invited to become reigning Prince of Romania in 1866. In 1881 he became Carol I, King of Romania. Carol I had an only daughter who died young, so the younger son of his brother Leopold, Prince Ferdinand of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen, would succeed his uncle as King of Romania in 1914, and his descendants, having converted to the Orthodox Church, continued to reign there until the end of the monarchy in 1947.

Succession since 1947

In 1947, the King Michael I abdicated and the country was proclaimed a People's Republic. Michael did not press his claim to the defunct Romanian throne, but he was welcomed back to the country after half a century in exile as a private citizen, with substantial former royal properties being placed at his disposal. However, his dynastic claim was not recognized by post-Communist Romanians.

On 10 May 2011, King Michael I severed the dynastic ties between the Romanian Royal Family and the House of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen.[13] After that the branch of the Hohenzollerns was dynastically represented only by the last king Michael, and his daughters. Having no sons, he declared that his dynastic heir, instead of being a male member of the Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen princely family to which he formerly belonged patrilineally and in accordance with the last Romanian monarchical constitution, should be his eldest daughter Margareta.[14]

The royal house remains popular in Romania[15] and in 2014 Prime Minister Victor Ponta promised a referendum on whether or not to reinstate the monarchy if he were re-elected.

Rulers of the House of Hohenzollern

House of Hohenzollern

Partitions of the House of Hohenzollern
Divided in Wallachia and Moldavia (1310/46-1859), then United Principalities (1859-1866); under Ottoman vassalage (1417/98-1866)        Part of the Ascanian and Wittelsbach Margraviate of Brandenburg (1157-1356) and late Electorate of Brandenburg (1356-1440) Part of the State of the Teutonic Order (1226-1525)

County of Hohenberg
(1124-1253) 		      
County of Zollern
(1040-1218)
Burgraviate of Nuremberg
(1200-1440)

County of Nagold
(1253-1363)
County of Haigerloch
(1st creation)
(1253-1389)[16]

County of Wildberg
(1318-1397) 		      
Sold to Württemberg
Haigerloch sold to the House of Habsburg; Recovered in 1497 from Switzerland Raised to:

County of Hohenzollern
(1218-1512)
Sold to Baden              
              Raised to:

Electorate of Brandenburg
(1440-1701)

County of Haigerloch
(2nd creation)
(1512-1558)
County of Hechingen
(1st creation)
(1512-1558) 		Principality of Kulmbach[17]
(1515-1557)
Principality of Ansbach[17]
(1486-1791)

Duchy of Prussia
(1525-1618)
County of Hohenzollern
(1558-1575) 		      

County of Haigerloch
(3rd creation)
(1575-1634)
County of Sigmaringen
(1575-1623)
County of Hechingen
(2nd creation)
(1575-1623)

Raised to:

Principality of Hechingen
(1623-1849)
Principality of Bayreuth[17]
(1603-1769) 		      
      
             

County of Haigerloch
(4th creation)
(1680-1767) 		Raised to:

Principality of Sigmaringen
(1623-1849) 		      
       Raised to:

Kingdom of Prussia
(1701-1871)

March of Schwedt
(1692-1788)
                    
             

Principality of Romania
(Ottoman vassal 1866-1877)
(Sigmaringen branch)
(1866-1881)
Raised to:

Kingdom of Romania
(Sigmaringen branch)
(1881-1947) 		Raised to:

German Empire
(1871-1918)
Weimar Republic
Table of rulers
Ruler Born Reign Ruling part Consort Death Notes
Burchard I[6] c.1020
Son of Friedrich of Sülichgau and Irmentrud of Nellenburg
(disputed) 		1040 – 1061 County of Zollern Anastasia of Rheinfelden
one child 		1061
aged 40–41		 First documented member of the family.
Frederick I Maute[6] c.1050
Son of Burchard I and Anastasia of Rheinfelden 		1061 – 1125 County of Zollern Udehild of Urach
eight children 		1125
aged 74–75
Frederick II c.1100
First son of Frederick I and Udehild of Urach[18]: XLI  		1125 – 1155 County of Zollern Unknown
two children 		c.1155
aged 54–55 		Children of Frederick I, divided their inheritance.
Burchard II c.1096
Second son of Frederick I and Udehild of Urach[18]: XLI  		1125 – 1154 County of Hohenberg Helmburgis of Schala-Burghausen
(d.c.1155)
two children 		1154
aged 57–58
Burchard III c.1130
Son of Burchard II and Helmburgis of Schala-Burghausen 		1154 – July 1193 County of Hohenberg Kunigunde of Grünberg
two children 		July 1193
aged 62–63
Godfrey c.1096
Third son of Frederick I and Udehild of Urach[18]: XLI  		1155 – 1160 County of Zollern Unmarried 1160
aged 64–65		 Brother of Frederick II, left no children. The county passed to his nephews.
Frederick III & I c.1130
Son of Frederick II 		1160 – 1204 County of Zollern
(with Burgraviate of Nuremberg jure uxoris since 1184)		 Sophie of Raabs
1184
three children 		1204
aged 73–74
Burchard IV c.1150
First son of Burchard III and Kunigunde of Grünberg 		July 1193 – 1225 County of Hohenberg Willipurg von Eichelberg
two children 		1225
aged 74–75? 		Children of Burchard III, ruled jointly.
Albert I c.1150
Second son of Burchard III and Kunigunde of Grünberg		 Unmarried 1225?
aged 75–75?
Conrad I the Pious 1186
First son of Frederick III & I and Sophie of Raabs 		1204 – 1218 County of Zollern Clementia
four children

Unknown
two children 		10 March 1261
aged 74–75 		Children of Frederick III & I, divided their inheritance, but in 1218 exchanged it between themselves. Conrad, who received Zollern and exchanged it for Nuremberg, founded the Franconian branch, which later converted to Protestantism; Frederick received Nuremberg and exchanged it for Zollern, founded the Swabian branch, which remains Catholic.[6]
1218 – 10 March 1261 Burgraviate of Nuremberg
Frederick IV & II the Lion 1188
Second son of Frederick III & I and Sophie of Raabs 		1204 – 1218 Burgraviate of Nuremberg Elisabeth
four children 		1255
aged 66-67
1218 – 1255 County of Zollern
(until 1218)

County of Hohenzollern
(from 1218)
Burchard V c.1190
Son of Burchard IV and Willipurg von Eichelberg 		1225 – 14 July 1253 County of Hohenberg Matilda of Tübingen
c.1230
five children 		14 July 1253
aged 62–63		 Died by a lightning strike.
Gertrude Anna c.1225
Deilingen
Daughter of Burchard V and Matilda of Tübingen 		14 July 1253 – 16 February 1281 County of Hohenberg
(at Sélestat)		 Rudolph I of Habsburg
1251
Alsace
eleven children 		16 February 1281
Vienna
aged 55–56 		Children of Burchard V, divided their inheritance. Gertrude's inheritance went to her descendants (the Habsburgs). Burchard associated his son Otto to his rule.
Albert II the Troubadour c.1235
First son of Burchard V and Matilda of Tübingen 		14 July 1253 – 17 April 1298 County of Haigerloch
(with Hohenberg proper)		 Unknown
two children

Margaret of Fürstenberg
1282
three children

Ursula of Oettingen
(d.1308)
c.1300
two children 		17 April 1298
Leinstetten Castle
aged 62–63
Burchard VI c.1240
Second son of Burchard V and Matilda of Tübingen 		14 July 1253 – 24 July 1318 County of Nagold Unknown
one child

Luitgard of Tübingen
c.1275
three children 		24 July 1318
aged 77–78
Otto I c.1275
First son of Burchard VI and Luitgard of Tübingen 		c.1290 – 12 July 1299 Maria of Magenheim
1290
two children 		12 July 1299
aged 23–24
Frederick V the Illustrious c.1230
Son of Frederick IV & II and Elisabeth 		1255 – 24 May 1289 County of Hohenzollern Udehild of Dillingen
1257
four children 		24 May 1289
aged 58–59
Frederick III the Heir 1220
Nuremberg
Son of Conrad I and Clementia 		10 March 1261 – 14 August 1297 Burgraviate of Nuremberg Elisabeth of Merania
1246
five children

Helene of Saxony
(1247-12 June 1309)
10 April 1280
three children 		14 August 1297
Cadolzburg
aged 76–77 		Children of Conrad I, divided their property. Frederick III inherited Bayreuth from his wife, while Conrad, in 1296, sold his property at Abensberg to the Diocese of Eichstätt.
Conrad II the Pious 1235
Nuremberg
Son of Conrad I 		10 March 1261 – 1296 Burgraviate of Nuremberg
(at Abenberg)		 Agnes of Hohenlohe-Uffenheim
c.1250
seven children

Agnes of Hirschberg
(d.c.1300)
1295
no children 		6 July 1314
aged 78–79
Frederick VI the Knight 1258
Son of Frederick V and Udehild of Dillingen 		24 May 1289 – 4 May 1298 County of Hohenzollern Kunigunde of Baden
December 1281
six children 		4 May 1298
aged 39–40
John I 1279
Nuremberg
First son of Frederick III and Helene of Saxony 		14 August 1297 – 25 February 1300 Burgraviate of Nuremberg Agnes of Hesse
1297
no children 		25 February 1300
aged 20–21		 Died early and without descendants. He was succeeded by his brother.
Albert III Rosselmann c.1260
Son of Albert II 		17 April 1298 – November 1304 County of Haigerloch Unknown
1 August 1284
Grüningen
no children

Clara Euphemia of Gorizia
February 1296
no children 		November 1304
aged 43–44		 Left no children. He was succeeded by his brother.
Frederick VII the Elder c.1285
First son of Frederick VI and Kunigunde of Baden 		4 May 1298 – 6 October 1309 County of Hohenzollern Euphemia of Hohenberg-Haigerloch
(d.1333)
1298
six children 		6 October 1309
aged 23–24
Frederick IV 1287
Nuremberg
Second son of Frederick III and Helene of Saxony 		25 February 1300 – 19 May 1332 Burgraviate of Nuremberg Margaret of Gorizia-Tyrol
2 August 1307
ten children 		19 May 1332
aged 44–45		 In 1331 he purchased the town of Ansbach, nucleus of the later Principality of Ansbach established in 1398.
Rudolph I c.1285
Son of Albert II and Margaret of Fürstenberg 		November 1304 – 11 January 1336 County of Haigerloch Agnes of Werdenberg-Heiligenberg
(d.1317)
c.1305?
five children

Irmengard of Württemberg
(1300-17 May 1329)
April 1318
no children

Elisabeth of Sponheim-Kreuznach
(1310-1349)
20 June 1331
Rottenburg am Neckar
no children 		11 January 1336
Vienna (?)
aged 50–51 		Rudolph II seemingly associated his eldest son to power, but he predeceased him.
Rudolph II c.1305
Son of Rudolph I and Agnes of Werdenberg-Heiligenberg 		c.1320 – 26 February 1335 Margaret of Nassau-Hadamar
(d.30 January 1370)
c.1320
three children 		26 February 1335
aged 29–30?
Regency of Frederick of Hohenzollern and/or Euphemia of Hohenberg-Haigerloch (1309–1314/5) Usually not counted or listed, probably because he died as minor. Nonetheless, he is documented as Lord of Zollern.[19]
Frederick Fritzli (I) c.1300
Son of Frederick VII and Euphemia of Hohenberg-Haigerloch 		6 October 1309 – 1315 County of Hohenzollern Unmarried c.1315
aged 14–15?
Frederick VIII the Easter Sunday c.1285
Second son of Frederick VI and Kunigunde of Baden 		1315 – 1 February 1333 County of Hohenzollern Unknown
four children 		1 February 1333
aged 39–40
Burchard VII c.1280
Second son of Burchard VI and Luitgard of Tübingen 		24 July 1318 – 2 September 1355 County of Wildberg Agnes
c.1300?
seven children 		2 September 1355
aged 74–75? 		Heirs of Burchard VI (son and grandson), divided the inheritance.
Burchard VIII c.1290
Son of Otto I and Maria of Magenheim 		24 July 1318 – 1342 County of Nagold Agnes of Vaihingen
1316
five children 		1342
aged 51–52
John II the Acquirer 1309
First son of Frederick IV and Margaret of Gorizia-Tyrol 		19 May 1332 – 7 October 1357 Burgraviate of Nuremberg
(at Nuremberg proper)		 Elisabeth of Henneberg-Schleusingen
1333
five children 		7 October 1357
aged 44–45 		Children of Frederick IV, John and Conrad ruled jointly, until the death of the latter, one year later. By an agreement in 1341, John divided the Burgraviate with his brother Albert. John's cognomen derives from the purchase, in 1340, of the castle Plassenburg in Kulmbach, with its respective county by the contract of inheritance with the counts of Orlamünde.
Conrad III 1309
Second son of Frederick IV and Margaret of Gorizia-Tyrol 		19 May 1332 – 3 April 1334 Irmgard of Hohenlohe-Weikersheim
1332
no children 		31 July 1357
aged 44–45
Albert the Beautiful 1319
Third son of Frederick IV and Margaret of Gorizia-Tyrol 		10 October 1341 – 4 April 1361 Burgraviate of Nuremberg
(at Hildburghausen, Heldburg, Eisfeld, Ermershausen and Ummerstadt)		 Sophia of Henneberg-Schleusingen
c.1330?
two children 		4 April 1361
aged 44–45
Frederick Fritzli (II) c.1300
First son of Frederick VIII 		1 February 1333 – 16 March 1339 County of Hohenzollern Unmarried 16 March 1339
aged 38–39		 Usually not counted or listed. Nonetheless, he is documented as Lord of Zollern.
Rudolph III c.1320
Son of Rudolph II and Margaret of Nassau-Hadamar 		11 January 1336 – November 1389 County of Haigerloch
(only at Rottenburg am Neckar since 1381)		 Ida of Toggenburg
(d.26 January 1399)
May 1360
one child 		November 1389
aged 50–51		 In 1381, he sold Haigerloch to the Habsburgs. He remained in his seat at Rottenburg am Neckar.
Haigerloch (with exceptions) was sold to Austria
Frederick IX the Black c.1300
Second son of Frederick VIII 		16 March 1339 – 1 March 1379 County of Hohenzollern
(half 1)		 Adelaide of Hohenberg-Wildenberg
April 1341
five children 		1 March 1379
aged 78–79? 		Younger children of Frederick VIII, divided their inheritance, because Frederick (X), formerly a canon of Strasbourg, returned to secular life.
Frederick (X) of Strasbourg c.1300
Third son of Frederick VIII 		16 Mach 1339 – March 1365 County of Hohenzollern
(half 2)		 Margaret of Hohenberg-Wildenberg
1343
five children 		March 1365
aged 64–65?
Otto II c.1320
Son of Burchard VIII and Agnes of Vaihingen 		1342 – 23 June 1363 County of Nagold Kunigunde of Wertheim
(d.1358)
27 February 1349
four children

Irmgard of Werdenberg
(d.24 October 1379)
13 July 1371
no children 		6 July 1385
aged 64–655		 In 1363 sold Nagold to the Counts of Württemberg. His descendants continued to claim, however, its possession.
Nagold sold to Württemberg
Burchard IX c.1310
First son of Burchard VII and Agnes 		2 September 1355 – 14 August 1363 County of Wildberg
(in Wildberg half 1)		 Anna of Brauneck
c.1330?
two children 		10 August 1381
aged 70–71? 		Divided their inheritance. In 1363, Burchard sold his half of Wildberg plus the town of Bulach to the Electoral Palatinate.
Conrad I c.1310
Second son of Burchard VII and Agnes 		2 September 1355 – 6 September 1356 County of Wildberg
(in Altensteig and Wildberg half 2)		 Margareta van Hewen
(d.December 1398)
c.1330?
two children 		6 September 1356
aged 45–46?
Rudolph IV c.1330
Son of Conrad I and Margareta van Hewen 		6 September 1356 – 28 December 1397 County of Wildberg
(only in Altensteig since 1363)		 Unknown
one child 		28 December 1397
aged 66–67		 Sold his half of Wildenberg to the Palatinate at the same time of his uncle Burchard. Didn't leave surviving descendants. Altensteig became part of the Margraviate of Baden.
Wildberg sold to the Palatinate; Altensteig annexed to Baden
Frederick V 1333
Son of John II and Elisabeth of Henneberg-Schleusingen 		31 July 1357 – 21 January 1398 Burgraviate of Nuremberg
(at Nuremberg proper)		 Margaret of Gorizia-Tyrol
2 August 1307
ten children 		21 January 1398
aged 44–45
Regency of Sophia of Henneberg-Schleusingen (1361-1372) Through her marriage, her inheritance went to the House of Wettin.
Margaret 1359
Daughter of Albert and Sophia of Henneberg-Schleusingen 		4 April 1361 – 1391 Burgraviate of Nuremberg
(at Hildburghausen, Heldburg, Eisfeld, Ermershausen and Ummerstadt)		 Balthasar, Landgrave of Thuringia
22 July 1374
two children 		1391
aged 31–32
Frederick XI the Elder[20] c.1345
Son of Frederick (X) and Margaret of Hohenberg-Wildenberg 		March 1365 – 26 November 1401 County of Hohenzollern
(half 2)		 Adelaide of Fürstenberg
January 1377
six children 		26 November 1401
aged 55–56?
Frederick X the Black[20] 1342?
Son of Frederick IX and Adelaide of Hohenberg-Wildenberg 		1 March 1379 – 21 June 1412 County of Hohenzollern
(half 1)		 Anna of Hohenberg-Nagold
(d.1421)
c.1350?
no children 		21 June 1412
aged 69–70?		 His death with no descendants led to the reunion of the Hohenzollern patrimony.
Margaret c.1360
Daughter of Rudolph III and Ida of Toggenburg 		November 1389 – 26 February 1419 County of Haigerloch
(at Rottenburg am Neckar)		 Bernard I, Margrave of Baden
1 September 1384
(annulled 1391)
no children

Herman VI, Count of Sulz-Klettgau
April 1391
three children 		26 February 1419
aged 58–59		 Through her marriage, Rothenburg was inherited by the Counts of Sulz.
Rottenburg was inherited by the County of Sulz
John III 1369
First son of Frederick V and Elisabeth of Meissen 		21 January 1398 – 11 June 1420 Burgraviate of Nuremberg
(at Kulmbach)		 Margaret of Bohemia
1381
one child 		11 June 1420
Plassenburg
aged 51–52 		Divided their inheritance. Originally Burgrave of Nuremberg as Frederick VI, Frederick was appointed by King Sigismund in 1415 and enfeoffed in 1417. In 1420, with Jon's death with no descendants, he joined his ancestors' Nurembergian lands with Brandenburg. In 1427, he sold Nuremberg to the Free Imperial City of Nuremberg.
Frederick VI & I 21 September 1371
Free Imperial City of Nuremberg
Second son of Frederick V and Elisabeth of Meissen 		21 January 1398 – 20 September 1440 Burgraviate of Nuremberg
(at Ansbach; in all Burgraviate since 1420)

Electorate of Brandenburg
(from 1415; with Burgraviate of Nuremberg until 1427)		 Elisabeth of Bavaria-Landshut
18 September 1401
ten children 		20 September 1440
Cadolzburg
aged 68
Frederick XII of Oettingen c.1390
First son of Frederick XI and Adelaide of Fürstenberg 		26 November 1401 – 1428

30 September 1439 – 30 September 1443 		County of Hohenzollern
(in half 2 until 1412; in all Hohenzollern since 1412)		 Anna of Sulz
(d.1440)
c.1405?
no children 		30 September 1443
Palestine
aged 52–53 		Children of Frederick XI, ruled jointly. In 1412, they reunited the Hohenzollen patrimony. Between 1429 and 1439, Frederick XII was kept under Henriette, Countess of Montbéliard's custody.
Eitel Frederick I c.1390
Second son of Frederick XI and Adelaide of Fürstenberg 		26 November 1401 – 30 September 1439 Ursula of Rhäzüns
(d.17 February 1477)
1432
four children 		30 September 1439
Hechingen
aged 48–49
John the Alchemist 1406
First son of Frederick VI & I and Elisabeth of Bavaria-Landshut 		20 September 1440 – 1457 Principality of Kulmbach Barbara of Saxe-Wittenberg
1416
four children 		16 November 1464
Baiersdorf
aged 57–58 		Divided their inheritance. John abdicated in 1457. The second son, Frederick, inherited the electorate, but he didn't have male successors; the inheritance went to their younger brother.
Frederick II Irontooth 19 November 1413
Tangermünde
Second son of Frederick VI & I and Elisabeth of Bavaria-Landshut 		20 September 1440 – 10 February 1471 Electorate of Brandenburg Catherine of Saxony
11 June 1441
Wittenberg
three children 		10 February 1471
Neustadt an der Aisch
aged 57
Albert I Achilles 9 November 1414
Tangermünde
Third son of Frederick VI & I and Elisabeth of Bavaria-Landshut 		20 September 1440 – 11 March 1486 Principality of Ansbach
(with Kulmbach since 1457) 		Margaret of Baden
1446
four children

Anna of Saxony
12 November 1458
Ansbach
thirteen children 		11 March 1486
Imperial City of Frankfurt
aged 71
10 February 1471 – 11 March 1486 Electorate of Brandenburg
Jobst Nicholas I 1433
Son of Eitel Frederick I and Ursula of Rhäzüns 		30 September 1443 – 9 February 1488 County of Hohenzollern Agnes of Werdenberg-Trochtelfingen
1448
six children 		9 February 1488
Zollernalbkreis
aged 54–55		 Under a succession treaty of 1429 with the House of Württemberg, the county would fall to the Counts of Württemberg if the Swabian branch of the House of Hohenzollern were to die out in the male line. With Jobst Nicholas's birth, this risk was averted.
John Cicero 2 August 1455
Ansbach
Son of Albert I Achilles and Margaret of Baden 		11 March 1486 – 9 January 1499 Electorate of Brandenburg Margaret of Thuringia
15 August 1476
Berlin
six children 		9 January 1499
Arneburg
aged 43 		Children of Albert Achilles, divided their inheritance. Once more, as occurred in the previous generation, Kulmbach was annexed to Ansbach. In 1515, after depleting the finances of the march with his lavish lifestyle, Frederick I was deposed by his two sons.
Frederick I the Elder[21] 8 May 1460
Ansbach
First son of Albert I Achilles and Anna of Saxony 		11 March 1486 – 1515 Principality of Ansbach
(with Kulmbach since 1495)		 Sophia of Poland
14 February 1479
Frankfurt (Oder)
seventeen children 		4 April 1536
Ansbach
aged 75
Sigismund 27 September 1468
Ansbach
Second son of Albert I Achilles and Anna of Saxony 		11 March 1486 – 26 February 1495 Principality of Kulmbach Unmarried 26 February 1495
Ansbach
aged 26
Eitel Frederick II 1452
Son of Jobst Nicholas I and Agnes of Werdenberg-Trochtelfingen 		9 February 1488 – 18 June 1512 County of Hohenzollern Magdalena of Brandenburg
1482
Berlin
six children 		18 June 1512
Trier
aged 59–60
Joachim I Nestor 21 February 1484
Cölln
Son of John Cicero and Margaret of Thuringia 		9 January 1499 – 11 July 1535 Electorate of Brandenburg Elizabeth of Denmark
10 April 1502
Berlin
five children 		11 July 1535
Stendal
aged 51
Francis Wolfgang 1483
First son of Eitel Frederick II and Magdalena of Brandenburg 		18 June 1512 – 16 June 1517 County of Haigerloch Rosine of Baden
1503
six children 		16 June 1517
Hechingen
aged 33–34 		Children of Eitel Frederick II, divided their inheritance.
Eitel Frederick III 1494
Second son of Eitel Frederick II and Magdalena of Brandenburg 		18 June 1512 – 15 June 1525 County of Hechingen Johanna van Witthem
(d.1544)
1515
six children 		15 June 1525
Pavia
aged 30–31
Casimir 27 December 1481
Ansbach
First son of Frederick I and Sophia of Poland 		1515 – 21 September 1527 Principality of Kulmbach Susanna of Bavaria
25 August 1518
Augsburg
five children 		21 September 1527
Buda
aged 45 		Children of Frederick I, deprived their father of his possessions and divided the inheritance.
George I the Pious 4 March 1484
Ansbach
Second son of Frederick I and Sophia of Poland 		1515 – 27 December 1543 Principality of Ansbach Beatrice de Frangepan
21 January 1509
Gyula
no children

Hedwig of Münsterberg-Oels
9 January 1525
Oleśnica
two children

Emilie of Saxony
25 August 1533
four children 		27 December 1543
Ansbach
aged 59
Rosine of Baden 5 March 1487
Daughter of Christopher I, Margrave of Baden and Ottilie of Katzenelnbogen 		16 June 1517 – 17 December 1526 County of Haigerloch
(at Haigerloch Castle)		 Francis Wolfgang
1503
six children

Johann von Ow, Baron of Wachendorf
(d.29 October 1571)
17 December 1526
no children 		29 October 1554
Wachendorf (Starzach)
aged 67 		Heirs of Francis Wolfgang. Christopher inherited the county still as a minor, and his mother, who also held the main castle of Haigerloch as widow's seat, also served as his regent. Left no male descendants: Haigerloch was inherited by his uncle Joachim.
Regency of Rosine of Baden (1517-1524)
Christopher Frederick 1510
Son of Francis Wolfgang and Rosine of Baden 		16 June 1517 – 1536 County of Haigerloch Anna Rehlinger von Haltenberg
1530
one child 		1536
Marseille
aged 25–26
Albert 17 May 1490
Ansbach
Third son of Frederick I and Sophia of Poland 		10 April 1525 – 20 March 1568 Duchy of Prussia
(previously State of the Teutonic Order)		 Dorothea of Denmark
1 July 1526
Königsberg
six children

Anna Maria of Brunswick-Calenberg
16 February 1550
Königsberg
two children 		20 March 1568
Gvardeysk
aged 77		 Son of Frederick I of Ansbach, and previously Grand Master of the Teutonic Knights, in 1525 he converted to Protestantism, and reformed his territory to be laic, becoming the first Duke of Prussia.
Regency of George, Margrave of Brandenburg-Ansbach (1527–1541) Left no descendants, and Kulmbach returned to Ansbach.
Albert II Alcibiades the Warlike 28 March 1522
Ansbach
Son of Casimir and Susanna of Bavaria 		21 September 1527 – 8 January 1557 Principality of Kulmbach Unmarried 8 January 1557
Pforzheim
aged 34
Joachim II Hector 13 January 1505
Cölln
First son of Joachim I Nestor and Elizabeth of Denmark 		11 July 1535 – 3 January 1571 Electorate of Brandenburg Magdalena of Saxony
6 November 1524
Dresden
six children

Hedwig of Poland
29 August/1 September 1535
Kraków
six children 		3 January 1571
Köpenick Palace
aged 65 		Children of Joachim I, divided their inheritance. John was the first and only Margrave at Küstrin, and after his death it was annexed again to the Electorate. Joachim II was the first Protestant Elector of Brandenburg.
John the Wise 3 August 1513
Second son of Joachim I Nestor and Elizabeth of Denmark 		11 July 1535 – 13 January 1571 March of Küstrin Catherine of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel
11 November 1537
Wolfenbüttel
two children 		13 January 1571
Küstrin
aged 57
Joachim 1485
Third son of Eitel Frederick II and Magdalena of Brandenburg 		1536 – 2 February 1538 County of Haigerloch Anastasia von Stoffeln
(1490 - 16 November 1530)
1513
one child 		2 February 1538
Hechingen
aged 52–53
Jobst Nicholas II 1514
Son of Joachim and Anastasia von Stoffeln 		2 February 1538 – 10 June 1558 County of Haigerloch Anna of Zimmern-Wildenstein
(29 June 1513 - 28 May 1570)
1531
Meßkirch
no children 		10 June 1558
Hechingen
aged 43–44		 Left no children. After his death Haigerloch returned to Hechingen.
Regencies of Joachim II Hector, Elector of Brandenburg and Philip I, Landgrave of Hesse (1543–1548), John Frederick I, Elector of Saxony (1543–1547) and Maurice, Elector of Saxony (1547–1548) In 1557, reunited Kulmbach to Ansbach once more. Left no descendants, and the Marches passed to the sons of Elector John George.
George Frederick I the Elder 5 April 1539
Ansbach
Son of George I and Emilie of Saxony 		27 December 1543 – 25 April 1603 Principality of Ansbach
(with Kulmbach since 1557)		 Elisabeth of Brandenburg-Küstrin
26 December 1558
Küstrin
no children

Sophie of Brunswick-Lüneburg
3 May 1579
Dresden
no children 		25 April 1603
Ansbach
aged 64
Charles I 1516
Brussels
Son of Eitel Frederick III and Johanna van Witthem 		15 June 1525 – 10 June 1558 County of Hechingen Anna of Baden-Durlach
11 February 1537
Pforzheim
eleven children 		18 March 1576
Sigmaringen Castle
aged 59–60 		In 1558, reunited once again the county of Zollern.
10 June 1558 – 18 March 1576 County of Hohenzollern
Council of Regency (1568-1571) In 1572 he began to exhibit signs of mental disorder. He had twice tried to commit suicide and was prone to violent outbursts and held a great fear of " Turks and Muscovites " overrunning Germany. In 1578 he began being overruled by regents.
Albert Frederick 7 May 1553
Königsberg
Son of Albert and Anna Maria of Brunswick-Calenberg 		20 March 1568 – 27 August 1618 Duchy of Prussia Marie Eleonore of Cleves
14 October 1573
Königsberg
seven children 		27 August 1618
Primorsk
aged 65
Regency of George Frederick, Margrave of Brandenburg-Ansbach (1578-1603)
Regency of Joachim Frederick, Elector of Brandenburg (1603-1608)
Regency of John Sigismund, Elector of Brandenburg (1608-1618)
John George 11 September 1525
Cölln
Son of Joachim II Hector and Magdalena of Saxony 		3 January 1571 – 8 January 1598 Electorate of Brandenburg Sophie of Legnica
15 February 1545
one child

Sabina of Brandenburg-Ansbach
12 February 1548
Ansbach
eleven children

Elisabeth of Anhalt-Zerbst
6 October 1577
Letzlingen
eleven children 		8 January 1598
Cölln
aged 72
Eitel Frederick IV 7 September 1545
Sigmaringen
First son of Charles I and Anna of Baden-Durlach 		18 March 1576 – 16 January 1605 County of Hechingen Veronica of Ortenburg
(d.23 March 1573)
22 May 1568
Sigmaringen
no children

Sibylla of Zimmern
14 November 1574
Meßkirch
four children

Johanna of Eberstein
(d.1633)
1 March 1601
no children 		16 January 1605
Hechingen
aged 59 		Children of Charles I, divided their inheritance.
Charles II 22 January 1547
Sigmaringen
Second son of Charles I and Anna of Baden-Durlach 		18 March 1576 – 8 April 1606 County of Sigmaringen Euphrosyne of Oettingen-Wallerstein
(1552 – 5 October 1590)
18 January 1569
Munich
fifteen children

Elisabeth of Pallandt-Kulemborg
(1567–1620)
13 October 1591
Sigmaringen
ten children 		8 April 1606
Sigmaringen
aged 59
Christopher 10 March 1552
Haigerloch
Third son of Charles I and Anna of Baden-Durlach 		18 March 1576 – 21 April 1592 County of Haigerloch Catherine von Welsperg and Primör
(d.1610)
1577
Sigmaringen
six children 		21 April 1592
Haigerloch
aged 40
Regency of Eitel Frederick IV, Count of Hechingen and Charles II, Count of Sigmaringen (1592-1604) Left no descendants. He was succeeded by his brother.
John Christopher 1586
Haigerloch
First son of Christopher and Catherine von Welsperg and Primör 		21 April 1592 – 4 December 1620 County of Haigerloch Elisabeth of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen
21 September 1608
Sigmaringen
no children 		4 December 1620
Haigerloch
aged 33–34
Joachim Frederick 27 January 1546
Cölln
Son of John George and Sophie of Legnica 		8 January 1598 – 18 July 1608 Electorate of Brandenburg Catherine of Brandenburg-Küstrin
8 January 1570
Küstrin
eleven children

Eleanor of Prussia
2 November 1603
Berlin
one child 		18 July 1608
Köpenick
aged 62 		Divided the inheritance, mainly after George Frederick I of Ansbach's death with no children. In 1604 moved the capital of the March to Bayreuth.
Christian 30 January 1581
Cölln
First son of John George and Elisabeth of Anhalt-Zerbst 		25 April 1603 – 30 May 1655 Principality of Bayreuth Maria of Prussia
29 April 1604
Kulmbach
nine children 		30 May 1655
Bayreuth
aged 74
Joachim Ernest 22 June 1583
Cölln
Second son of John George and Elisabeth of Anhalt-Zerbst 		25 April 1603 – 7 March 1625 Principality of Ansbach Sophie of Solms-Laubach
1612
Ansbach
three children 		7 March 1625
Ansbach
aged 41
John George 1577
Sigmaringen
Son of Eitel Frederick IV and Sibylla of Zimmern 		16 January 1605 – 28 September 1623 County of Hechingen
(until 1623)

Principality of Hechingen
(from 1623)		 Franziska of Salm-Neuviller
11 October 1598
Hechingen
fourteen children 		28 September 1623
Hechingen
aged 45–46
John 17 August 1578
Sigmaringen
Son of Charles II and Euphrosyne of Oettingen-Wallerstein 		8 April 1606 – 22 March 1638 County of Sigmaringen
(until 1623)

Principality of Sigmaringen
(from 1623)		 Johanna of Hohenzollern-Hechingen
30 June 1602
Sigmaringen
three children 		22 March 1638
Munich
aged 59
John Sigismund 8 November 1572
Halle
First son of Joachim Frederick and Catherine of Brandenburg-Küstrin 		18 July 1608 – 3 November 1619 Electorate of Brandenburg
(with Duchy of Prussia jure uxoris since 1618)		 Anna, Duchess of Prussia
30 October 1594
Königsberg
eight children 		23 December 1619
Berlin
aged 47 		Divided their inheritance. In 1618, John Sigismund, with his wife, inherited his father-in-law's Duchy of Prussia. John George left no surviving descendants ad his duchy returned to Brandenburg. In 1622, Ferdinand III, Holy Roman Emperor confiscated Krnov from Brandenburg.
John George 16 December 1577
Wolmirstedt
Second son of Joachim Frederick and Catherine of Brandenburg-Küstrin 		18 July 1608 – 1622 Duchy of Krnov Eva Christina of Württemberg
13 June 1610
Krnov
five children 		22 March 1624
Levoča
aged 46
Anna 3 July 1576
Königsberg
Daughter of Albert Frederick and Marie Eleonore of Cleves 		27 August 1618 – 30 August 1625 Duchy of Prussia
(suo jure heiress)		 John Sigismund, Elector of Brandenburg
30 October 1594
Königsberg
eight children 		30 August 1625
Berlin
aged 49		 Heiress of her father, she was described as intellectually superior to her spouse, temperamental and strong-willed. Her marriage made possible the unification of the Brandenburg and Prussian branches.
George William 13 November 1595
Berlin
Son of John Sigismund and Anna 		3 November 1619 – 1 December 1640 Electorate of Brandenburg
(with Duchy of Prussia, in jure matris until 1625, suo jure since 1625)		 Elizabeth Charlotte of the Palatinate
24 July 1616
Heidelberg
four children 		1 December 1640
Königsberg
aged 49		 Also Duke of Prussia by right of his mother. His reign was marked by ineffective governance during the Thirty Years' War.
Charles 1588
Haigerloch
Second son of Christopher and Catherine von Welsperg and Primör 		4 December 1620 – 9 March 1634 County of Haigerloch Rosamund of Ortenburg
(d.1636)
25 March 1618
no children 		9 March 1634
Überlingen
aged 45–46		 Like his brother, he left no descendants. Haigerloch merged in Sigmaringen.
Haigerloch briefly merged in Sigmaringen
Eitel Frederick V January 1601
Sigmaringen
Second son of John George and Franziska of Salm-Neuviller 		28 September 1623 – 11 July 1661 Principality of Hechingen Maria Elisabeth of Berg-s'Herenberg
(January 1613 - 29 November 1671)
19 March 1630
Boutersem
two children 		11 July 1661
Issenheim
aged 60
Regency of Sophie of Solms-Laubach (1625-1634) Left no descendants. He was succeeded by his brother.
Frederick III 1 May 1616
Ansbach
First son of Joachim Ernest and Sophie of Solms-Laubach 		7 March 1625 – 6 September 1634 Principality of Ansbach Unmarried 6 September 1634
near Nördlingen
aged 18
Regency of Sophie of Solms-Laubach (1634-1639)
Albert II 18 September 1620
Ansbach
Second son of Joachim Ernest and Sophie of Solms-Laubach 		6 September 1634 – 22 October 1667 Principality of Ansbach Henriette Louise of Württemberg-Montbéliard
31 August 1642
Stuttgart
three children

Sophie Margarete of Oettingen-Oettingen
15 October 1651
Oettingen
five children

Christine of Baden-Durlach
6 August 1665
Durlach
no children 		22 October 1667
Ansbach
aged 47
Meinrad I 1605
Munich
Son of John and Johanna of Hohenzollern-Hechingen 		2 March 1638 – 30 January 1681 Principality of Sigmaringen Anna Maria von Thöring-Seefeld
(1613 – 12 February 1682)
7 May 1635
Braunau am Inn
nineteen children 		30 January 1681
Sigmaringen
aged 75–76
Frederick William I the Great 16 February 1620
Berlin Palace
Son of George William and Elizabeth Charlotte of the Palatinate 		1 December 1640 – 29 April 1688 Electorate of Brandenburg Louise Henriette of Orange-Nassau
7 December 1646
The Hague
six children

Sophia Dorothea of Sonderburg-Glücksburg
13 July 1668
Gröningen
seven children 		29 April 1688
City Palace, Potsdam
aged 68		 Also Duke of Prussia.[22]
Christian Ernest 6 August 1644
Bayreuth
Son of Erdmann August of Brandenburg-Bayreuth and Sophie of Brandenburg-Ansbach 		30 May 1655 – 20 May 1712 Principality of Bayreuth Erdmuthe Sophie of Saxony
29 October 1662
Dresden
no children

Sophie Luise of Württemberg
8 February 1671
Stuttgart
six children

Elisabeth Sophie of Brandenburg
30 March 1703
Potsdam
nine children 		20 May 1712
Erlangen
aged 67		 Grandson of Christian I.
Philip 24 June 1616
Hechingen
Sixth son of John George and Franziska of Salm-Neuviller 		11 July 1661 – 24 January 1671 Principality of Hechingen Maria Sidonia of Baden-Rodemachern
12 November 1662
Baden-Baden
eight children 		24 January 1671
Hechingen
aged 54 		Heirs of Eitel Frederick V. The lordship of Bergen op Zoom was inherited by Franziska's descendants.
Franziska Henriette 1642
Daughter of Eitel Frederick V and Maria Elisabeth of Berg-s'Herenberg 		11 July 1661 – 17 October 1698 Principality of Hechingen
(at Bergen op Zoom; jure matris until 1671; suo jure from 1671)		 Frederick Maurice de la Tour d'Auvergne, Count of Auvergne
May 1662
eight children 		17 October 1698
Bergen op Zoom
aged 55–56
John Frederick 18 October 1654
Ansbach
Son of Albert II and Sophie Margarete of Oettingen-Oettingen 		22 October 1667 – 22 March 1686 Principality of Ansbach Johanna Elisabeth of Baden-Durlach
26 January 1673
Durlach
five children

Eleonore Erdmuthe of Saxe-Eisenach
4 November 1681
Eisenach
three children 		22 March 1686
Ansbach
aged 31
Regency of Maria Sidonia of Baden-Rodemachern (1671-1681)
Frederick William 20 September 1663
Hechingen
Son of Philip and Maria Sidonia of Baden-Rodemachern 		24 January 1671 – 14 November 1735 Principality of Hechingen Maria Leopoldine von Sinzendorf
(1 April 1666 - 18 May 1709)
22 January 1687
Vienna
six children

Maximiliane Magdalena von Lützau
(11 July 1690 - 8 September 1755)
7 September 1710
Hechingen
two children 		14 November 1735
Hechingen
aged 72
Maximilian I 20 January 1636
Munich
First son of Meinrad I and Anna Maria von Thöring-Seefeld 		30 January 1681 – 13 August 1689 Principality of Sigmaringen Maria Clara of Berg-'s-Heerenberg
(27 April 1635 - 15 July 1715)
12 January 1666
Boxmeer
twelve children 		13 August 1689
Sigmaringen
aged 53 		Children of Meinrad I, divided their inheritance.
Francis Anton 2 December 1657
Sigmaringen Castle
Eleventh son of Meinrad I and Anna Maria von Thöring-Seefeld 		30 January 1681 – 14 October 1702 County of Haigerloch Anna Maria Eusebia of Königsegg-Aulendorf
(1670-1716)
5 February 1687
four children 		14 October 1702
Friedlingen
aged 44
Council of Regency (1686–1692) Died as a minor; he was succeeded by his brother.
Christian Albert 18 September 1675
First son of John Frederick and Johanna Elisabeth of Baden-Durlach 		22 March 1686 – 16 October 1692 Principality of Ansbach Unmarried 16 October 1692
Ansbach
aged 17
Frederick III & I the Mercenary 11 July 1657
Königsberg
Son of Frederick William I and Louise Henriette of Orange-Nassau 		29 April 1688 – 25 February 1713 Electorate of Brandenburg
(until 1701)

Kingdom of Prussia
(with Electorate of Brandenburg; from 1701)		 Elisabeth Henriette of Hesse-Kassel
13 August 1679
Potsdam
one child

Sophia Charlotte of Hanover
8 October 1684
Herrenhausen
two children

Sophia Louise of Mecklenburg-Schwerin
28 November 1708
Berlin
no children 		25 February 1713
Berlin
aged 55 		Children of Frederick William, divided their inheritance. In 1701, Frederick became the first King in Prussia, as Frederick I.
Philip William 19 May 1669
Königsberg
Son of Frederick William I and Sophia Dorothea of Sonderburg-Glücksburg 		29 April 1688 – 19 December 1711 March of Schwedt Johanna Charlotte of Anhalt-Dessau
25 January 1699
Oranienbaum
six children 		19 December 1711
Schwedt
aged 42
Regency of Maria Clara of Berg-'s-Heerenberg and Francis Anton, Count of Haigerloch (1689-1691)
Meinrad II 1 November 1673
Sigmaringen
Son of Maximilian I and Maria Clara of Berg-'s-Heerenberg 		13 August 1689 – 20 October 1715 Principality of Sigmaringen Johanna Catharina of Montfort-Tettnang
22 November 1700
Sigmaringen
four children 		20 October 1715
Sigmaringen
aged 41
George Frederick II the Younger 3 May 1678
Ansbach
Second son of John Frederick and Johanna Elisabeth of Baden-Durlach 		16 October 1692 – 29 March 1703 Principality of Ansbach Unmarried 29 March 1703
Schmidmühlen
aged 24		 Died without descendants; he was succeeded by his brother.
Ferdinand Leopold 4 December 1692
Sigmaringen Castle
First son of Francis Anton and Anna Maria Eusebia of Königsegg-Aulendorf 		14 October 1702 – 23 July 1750 County of Haigerloch Unmarried 23 July 1750
Brühl Palace
aged 57		 Member of the clergy and first minister of the Electorate of Cologne. Left no children. The county passed to his brother.
William Frederick 6 January 1686
Ansbach
Son of John Frederick and Eleonore Erdmuthe of Saxe-Eisenach 		29 March 1703 – 7 January 1723 Principality of Ansbach Christiane Charlotte of Württemberg-Winnental
28 August 1709
Stuttgart
three children 		7 January 1723
Unterreichenbach
aged 36
Regency of Frederick I, King of Prussia (1711-1713)
Regency of Frederick William I, King of Prussia (1713-1718) 		Left no male descendants. The title passed to his brother, Frederick Henry.
Frederick William the Mad 17 November 1700
Oranienbaum
First son of Philip William and Johanna Charlotte of Anhalt-Dessau 		19 December 1711 – 4 March 1771 March of Schwedt Sophia Dorothea of Prussia
10 November 1734
Potsdam
five children 		4 March 1771
Swobnica
aged 70
George William 26 November 1678
Bayreuth
Son of Christian Ernest and Sophie Luise of Württemberg 		20 May 1712 – 18 December 1726 Principality of Bayreuth Sophie of Saxe-Weissenfels
16 October 1699
Leipzig
five children 		18 December 1726
Bayreuth
aged 48
Frederick William I the Soldier 16 March 1687
Berlin
Son of Frederick III & I and Sophia Charlotte of Hanover 		25 February 1713 – 28 June 1757 Kingdom of Prussia
(with Electorate of Brandenburg)		 Sophia Dorothea of Hanover
28 November 1706
Hanover
(by proxy)
27 December 1706
Berlin
(in person)
two children 		28 June 1757
City Palace, Potsdam
aged 70
Regency of Johanna Catharina of Montfort-Tettnang (1715-1720)
Joseph Frederick Ernest 24 May 1702
Sigmaringen
Son of Meinrad II and Johanna Catharina of Montfort-Tettnang 		2 October 1715 – 8 December 1769 Principality of Sigmaringen Maria Franziska of Oettingen-Spielberg
20 May 1722
Oettingen
six children

Maria Judith Katharina of Closen
5 July 1738
three children

Maria Theresa of Waldburg-Trachburg
22 October 1743
no children 		8 December 1769
Haigerloch
aged 41
Regency of Christiane Charlotte of Württemberg-Winnental (1723–1729)
Charles William Frederick the Wild 12 May 1712
Ansbach
Son of William Frederick and Christiane Charlotte of Württemberg-Winnental 		7 January 1723 – 3 August 1757 Principality of Ansbach Friederike Luise of Prussia
30 May 1729
Berlin
two children 		3 August 1757
Gunzenhausen
aged 45
George Frederick Charles 30 June 1688
near Mühlhausen
Son of George William and Sophie of Saxe-Weissenfels 		18 December 1726 – 17 May 1735 Principality of Bayreuth Dorothea of Sonderburg-Beck
17 April 1709
Reinfeld
five children 		17 May 1735
Bayreuth
aged 46
Frederick 10 May 1711
Weferlingen
Son of George Frederick Charles and Dorothea of Sonderburg-Beck 		17 May 1735 – 26 February 1763 Principality of Bayreuth Wilhelmine of Prussia
17 April 1709
Berlin
one child

Sophie Caroline of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel
20 September 1759
Brunswick
no children 		26 February 1763
Bayreuth
aged 51		 Left no male descendants; the title passed to Frederick Christian, from a collateral Bayreuth line.
Frederick Louis 1 September 1688
Strasbourg
Son of Frederick William and Maria Leopoldine von Sinzendorf 		14 November 1735 – 4 June 1750 Principality of Hechingen Unmarried 4 June 1750
Hechingen
aged 61		 Left no children. He was succeeded by a cousin.
Joseph Frederick William 12 November 1717
Bayreuth
Son of Herman Frederick of Hohenzollern-Hechingen and Maria Josepha of Oettingen 		4 June 1750 – 9 April 1798 Principality of Hechingen Maria Teresa Folch de Cardona y Silva
(4 September 1732 - 25 September 1750)
2 June 1750
Vienna
no children

Maria Theresa of Waldburg-Zeil
7 January 1751
Hechingen
six children 		9 April 1798
Hechingen
aged 80		 Great-grandson of John George. Left no surviving children. He was succeeded by his nephew.
Francis Christopher Anton 1 January 1699
Haigerloch
Second son of Francis Anton and Anna Maria Eusebia of Königsegg-Aulendorf 		23 July 1750 – 23 November 1767 County of Haigerloch Unmarried 23 November 1767
Cologne
aged 68		 Also member of the clergy and first minister of the Electorate of Cologne. He also didn't have children. The county returned definitively to Sigmaringen.
Haigerloch definitely annexed to Sigmaringen
Frederick II the Great 24 January 1712
Berlin
Son of Frederick William I and Sophia Dorothea of Hanover 		28 June 1757 – 17 August 1786 Kingdom of Prussia
(with Electorate of Brandenburg)		 Elisabeth Christine of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel
12 June 1733
Castle Salzdahlum
no children 		17 August 1786
Potsdam
aged 74
Charles Alexander 24 February 1736
Son of Charles William Frederick and Friederike Luise of Prussia 		3 August 1757 – 16 January 1791 Principality of Ansbach Frederica Caroline of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld
22 November 1754
Coburg
no children

Elizabeth Craven
13/30 October 1791
Lisbon
(morganatic)
no children 		5 January 1806
Speen, Berkshire
aged 69		 In 1769 reunited both Margraviates of Ansbach and Bayreuth.In 1791 sold both Margraviates to the Kingdom of Prussia.
Ansbach sold to Prussia
Frederick Christian 17 July 1708
Weferlingen
Son of Christian Henry of Brandenburg-Bayreuth and Sophie Christiane of Wolfstein 		26 February 1763 – 20 January 1769 Principality of Bayreuth Victoria Charlotte of Anhalt-Zeitz-Hoym
26 April 1732
Schaumburg
two children 		20 January 1769
Bayreuth
aged 60		 Great-grandson of Christian I and cousin of his predecessors. Left no male descendants; Bayreuth was reunited to Ansbach.
Bayreuth definitively annexed to Ansbach
Charles Frederick 9 January 1724
Sigmaringen
Son of Joseph Frederick Ernest and Maria Franziska of Oettingen-Spielberg 		8 December 1769 – 20 December 1785 Principality of Sigmaringen Johanna of Hohenzollern-Berg
2 March 1749
Kail Castle, near Trier
twelve children 		20 December 1785
Krauchenwies
aged 61
Frederick Henry 21 August 1709
Schwedt
Second son of Philip William and Johanna Charlotte of Anhalt-Dessau 		4 March 1771 – 12 December 1788 March of Schwedt Leopoldine Marie of Anhalt-Dessau
13 February 1739
two children 		12 December 1788
Schwedt
aged 79		 Left no male descendants. Schwedt went back to Prussia.
Schwedt definitively annexed to Prussia
Anton Aloys 20 June 1762
Sigmaringen
Son of Charles Frederick and Johanna of Hohenzollern-Berg 		20 December 1785 – 17 October 1831 Principality of Sigmaringen Amalie Zephyrine of Salm-Kyrburg
13 August 1782
Kirn
two children 		17 October 1831
Sigmaringen
aged 69
Frederick William II 25 September 1744
Berlin Palace
Son of Frederick William I and Louise Henriette of Orange-Nassau 		17 August 1786 – 16 November 1797 Kingdom of Prussia
(with Electorate of Brandenburg)		 Elisabeth Christine of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel
14 June 1765
Castle Salzdahlum
(annulled 1769)
no children

Frederica Louisa of Hesse-Darmstadt
14 July 1769
Charlottenburg Palace
eight children

Julie von Voss
7 April 1787
Charlottenburg Palace
(morganatic)
one child

Sophie von Dönhoff
11 April 1790
Charlottenburg Palace
(morganatic, annulled 1792)
two children 		16 November 1797
Marmorpalais
aged 53		 Nephew of his predecessor.
Frederick William III 3 August 1770
Potsdam
Son of Frederick William II and Frederica Louisa of Hesse-Darmstadt 		16 November 1797 – 7 June 1840 Kingdom of Prussia
(with Electorate of Brandenburg until 1806)		 Louise of Mecklenburg-Strelitz
24 December 1793
Darmstadt
nine children

Auguste von Harrach
9 November 1824
Charlottenburg Palace
(morganatic)
no children 		7 June 1840
Berlin
aged 69		 In 1806, with the dissolving of the Holy Roman Empire, Prussia lost its electoral status.
Herman 30 July 1751
Lockenhaus
Son of Francis Xavier of Hohenzollern-Hechingen and Anna von Hoensbroech 		9 April 1798 – 2 November 1810 Principality of Hechingen Louise of Merode-Westerloo
(28 September 1748 - 14 November 1774)
18 November 1773
Maastricht
one child

Maximiliane of Gavre
(30 November 1753 - 6 August 1778)
15 February 1775
Brussels
one child

Maria Antonia of Waldburg-Zeil
(6 June 1753 - 25 October 1814)
12 June 1779
Dagstuhl
five children 		2 November 1810
Hechingen
aged 59		 Nephew of Joseph Frederick William.
Frederick Herman Otto 22 July 1776
Namur
Son of Herman and Maximiliane of Gavre 		2 November 1810 – 13 September 1838 Principality of Hechingen Luise Pauline Maria Biron
26 April 1800
Prague
one child 		13 September 1838
Hechingen
aged 62
Charles 20 February 1785
Sigmaringen
Son of Anton Aloys and Amalie Zephyrine of Salm-Kyrburg 		17 October 1831 – 27 August 1848 Principality of Sigmaringen Marie Antoinette Murat
4 February 1808
Paris
four children

Catharina of Hohenlohe-Schillingsfürst
14 March 1848
Kupferzell
no children 		11 March 1853
Bologna
aged 68		 During the German revolutions of 1848–1849, he abdicated to his son.
Constantine 16 February 1801
Żagań
Son of Frederick Herman Otto and Luise Pauline Maria Biron 		13 September 1838 – 7 December 1849 Principality of Hechingen Eugénie de Beauharnais
22 May 1826
Eichstätt
no children

Amalie Schenk von Geyern
September 1847
(morganatic)
three children 		3 September 1889
Zielona Góra
aged 68		 Pressed by the German Revolution, in 1849 he signed the hand-over of the Principality to Prussia.
Hechingen definitely annexed to Prussia
Frederick William IV 15 October 1795
Kronprinzenpalais
First son of Frederick William III and Louise of Mecklenburg-Strelitz 		7 June 1840 – 2 January 1861 Kingdom of Prussia Elisabeth Ludovika of Bavaria
16 November 1823
Munich
(by proxy)
29 November 1823
Berlin
(in person)
no children 		2 January 1861
Sanssouci
aged 55 		Also President of the Erfurt Union (1849–1850). Left no children, and was succeeded by his brother, who already held regency since 1858.
Regency of Prince William of Prussia (1858-1861)
Charles Anton 7 September 1811
Krauchenwies
Son of Charles and Marie Antoinette Murat 		27 August 1848 – 7 December 1849 Principality of Sigmaringen Josephine of Baden
21 October 1834
Karlsruhe
six children 		2 June 1885
Sigmaringen
aged 73		 Still pressed by the German Revolution, in 1849 he signed the hand-over of the Principality to Prussia. His son Karl would become, in 1881, King of Romania; his daughter Stephanie became Queen of Portugal.
Sigmaringen definitely annexed to Prussia
William I the Great 22 March 1797
Kronprinzenpalais
Second son of Frederick William III and Louise of Mecklenburg-Strelitz 		2 January 1861 – 9 March 1888 Kingdom of Prussia
(until 1871)

German Empire
(with Kingdom of Prussia; from 1871)		 Augusta of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach
11 June 1829
Charlottenburg Palace
two children 		9 March 1888
Charlottenburg Palace
aged 90		 Previously regent on behalf of his ill brother, he inherited his throne. He was also President of the North German Confederation (1867–1871), before becoming German Emperor.
Carol I 20 April 1839
Sigmaringen Castle
Son of Charles Anton, Prince of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen and Josephine of Baden 		20 April 1866 – 10 October 1914 Principality of Romania
(until 1881)

Kingdom of Romania
(from 1881)
(Sigmaringen branch)		 Elisabeth of Wied
15 November 1869
Neuwied
one child 		10 October 1914
Peleș Castle
aged 75		 Karl of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen was invited to assume the Romanian throne in 1866. Left no male descendants. The throne went to his nephew.
Frederick III 18 October 1831
New Palace, Potsdam
Son of William I and Augusta of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach 		9 March – 15 June 1888 German Empire
(with Kingdom of Prussia)		 Victoria of the United Kingdom
25 January 1858
St James's Palace
eight children 		15 June 1888
New Palace, Potsdam
aged 56
William II 27 January 1859
Kronprinzenpalais
Son of Frederick III and Victoria of the United Kingdom 		15 June 1888 – 9 November 1918 German Empire
(with Kingdom of Prussia)

Augusta Victoria of Schleswig-Holstein
27 February 1881
Berlin
seven children

Hermine Reuss of Greiz
5 November 1922
Huis Doorn
no children

4 June 1941
Huis Doorn
aged 82		 In 1918, he abdicated his throne;[23] The monarchy was abolished.
Ferdinand 24 August 1865
Sigmaringen Castle
Son of Prince Leopold of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen and Antónia of Portugal 		10 October 1914 – 20 July 1927 Kingdom of Romania
(Sigmaringen branch)		 Marie of the United Kingdom
10 January 1893
Sigmaringen Castle
six children 		20 July 1927
Peleș Castle
aged 61
Mihai I 25 October 1921
Peleș Castle
Son of Prince Carol of Romania and Helen of Greece and Denmark 		20 July 1927 – 8 June 1930

6 September 1940 – 30 December 1947		 Kingdom of Romania

(Sigmaringen branch)		 Anne of Bourbon-Parma
10 June 1948
Athens
five children 		5 December 2017
Aubonne
aged 96		 Given his father removed himself fom the line of succession, he was the chosen successor of his grandfather. As he was a child, he uled under a Council of Regency. In 1930, Michael's father returned to Romania and took the throne. In 1940, as he abdicated, Michael returned to the throne, but he also abdicated in 1947. The monarchy was abolished.
Carol II 15 October 1893
Peleș Castle
Son of Ferdinand and Marie of the United Kingdom 		8 June 1930 – 6 September 1940 Kingdom of Romania
(Sigmaringen branch)		 Zizi Lambrino
31 August 1918
Transfiguration Cathedral in Odesa
(morganatic, annulled 1919)
one child

Helen of Greece and Denmark
10 March 1921
Metropolitan Cathedral of Athens
(divorced 1928)one child

Magda Lupescu
(morganatic)
3 June/5 July 1947
Rio de Janeiro
no children 		4 April 1953
Estoril
aged 59		 After giving up his rights in his father's lifetime, Carol returned to Romania in 1930 and ascended the throne, but abdicated again in 1940.

Family tree of the House of Hohenzollern

House of Hohenzollern

House of
Hohenzollern
Burkhard I
Count of Zollern
r. ?–1061
before 1025–1061
Frederick I
Count of Zollern
r. ?–before 1125
?–before 1125
Frederick II
Count of Zollern
r. c. 1125–1145
before 1125–c. 1145		Burkhard II
Count of Zollern
r. c. 1145–1150/5		Gotfried
Count of Zollern
r. c. 1150/5–1160
Frederick I
Burgrave of
Nuremberg
r. c. 1192–1200
Frederick III
Count of Zollern
r. after 1145–c. 1200
before 1139–c. 1200
Franconian BranchSwabian Branch
Conrad I
Burgrave of
Nuremberg
r. 1218–1261
c. 1186–1261		Frederick IV
Count of
Hohenzollern
r. 1218–1255
Frederick II
Burgrave of
Nuremberg
r. 1204–1218
c. 1188–1255
Frederick III
Burgrave of
Nuremberg
r. 1261–1297
c. 1220–1297		Frederick V
the Illustrious
Count of
Hohenzollern
r. 1255–1289
?–1289
John I
Burgrave of
Nuremberg
r. 1297–1300
c.  1279–1300		Frederick IV
Burgrave of
Nuremberg
r. 1300–1332
1287–1332		Frederick VI
the Knight
Count of
Hohenzollern
r. 1289–1298
?–1298
John II
the Acquirer
Burgrave of
Nuremberg
r. 1332–1357
c. 1309–1357		Frederick VII
Count of
Hohenzollern
r. 1298–1309
?–1309		Frederick VIII
Easter Sunday
Count of
Hohenzollern
r. 1309–1333
?–1333
Frederick V
Burgrave of
Nuremberg
r. 1357–1397
1333–1398		Frederick IX
the Old
Count of
Hohenzollern
r. 1333–1377/9
?–1377/9		Frederick
Count of Strasbourg
Brandenburg-
Prussian Branch
John III
Burgrave of
Nuremberg
r. 1397–1420
John I
Margrave of
Brandenburg-
Kulmbach
r. 1398–1420
c. 1369–1420		Frederick I
Elector of
Brandenburg
r. 1415–1440
Frederick VI
Burgrave of
Nuremberg
r. 1397–1427
1371–1440		Frederick X
the Younger
Count of
Hohenzollern
r. 1377/9–1412
?–1412		Frederick XI
the Elder
Count of
Hohenzollern
r. 1377/9–1401
?–1401
John II
the Alchemist
Margrave of
Brandenburg-
Kulmbach
r. 1440–1457
Margrave of
Brandenburg
r. 1426–1440
1406–1464		Frederick II
the Iron
Elector of
Brandenburg
r. 1440–1470
1413–1471		Albrecht III
Achilles
Elector of
Brandenburg
r. 1471–1486
1414–1486		Eitel Frederick I
Count of
Hohenzollern
r. 1426–1439
c. 1384–1439		Frederick XII
Count of
Hohenzollern
r. 1401–1426
before 1401–1443
John II Cicero
Elector of
Brandenburg
r. 1486–1499
1455–1499		Frederick II
Margrave of
Brandenburg-
Ansbach
r. 1486–1536
Margrave of
Brandenburg-
Kulmbach
r. 1495–1515
1460–1536		Siegmund
Margrave of
Brandenburg-
Kulmbach
r. 1486–1495
1468–1495		Jobst Nicholas I
Count of
Hohenzollern
r. 1433–1488
1433–1488
Joachim I
Nestor
Elector of
Brandenburg
r. 1499–1535
1484–1535		Casimir
Margrave of
Brandenburg-
Kulmbach
r. 1515–1527
1481–1527		George
Margrave of
Brandenburg-
Ansbach
r. 1536–1543
1484–1543		Albert
Duke of Prussia
r. 1525–1568
1490–1568		Eitel Frederick II
Count of
Hohenzollern
r. 1488–1512
c. 1452–1512
Joachim II
Hector
Elector of
Brandenburg
r. 1535–1571
1505–1571		John
Margrave of
Brandenburg-
Küstrin
r. 1535–1571
1513–1571		Albert II
Alcibiades
Margrave of
Brandenburg-
Kulmbach
r. 1527–1553
1522–1557		George
Frederick
Margrave of
Brandenburg-
Ansbach
r. 1543–1603
Margrave of
Brandenburg-
Kulmbach
r. 1553–1603
1539–1603		Albert
Frederick
Duke of Prussia
r. 1568–1618
1553–1618		Eitel Frederick III
Count of
Hohenzollern
r. 1512-1525
1494–1525
John George
Elector of
Brandenburg
r. 1571–1598
1525–1598		Charles I
Count of
Hohenzollern
r. 1525–1576
1516–1576
House of
Hohenzollern-
Hechingen		House of
Hohenzollern-
Sigmaringen		House of
Hohenzollern-
Haigerloch
Joachim
Frederick
Elector of
Brandenburg
r. 1598–1608
1546–1608		Christian
Margrave of
Brandenburg-
Bayreuth
r. 1603–1655
1581–1655		Joachim Ernest
Margrave of
Brandenburg-
Ansbach
r. 1603–1625
1583–1625		Eitel Frederick IV
Count of
Hohenzollern-
Hechingen
r. 1576–1605
1545–1605		Charles II
Count of
Hohenzollern-
Sigmaringen
r. 1576–1606
1547–1606		Christopher
Count of
Hohenzollern-
Haigerloch
r. 1576–1592
1552-1592
John
Sigismund
Elector of
Brandenburg
r. 1608–1619
Duke of Prussia
r. 1618–1619
1572–1619		Erdman
Augustus
1615–1651		George Albert
1619–1666		Frederick III
Margrave of
Brandenburg-
Ansbach
r. 1625–1634
1616–1634		Albert II
Margrave of
Brandenburg-
Ansbach
r. 1634–1667
1620–1667		John George
Count of
Hohenzollern-
Hechingen
r. 1605–1623
Prince of
Hohenzollern-
Hechingen
r. 1623
1577–1623		John
Count of
Hohenzollern-
Sigmaringen
r. 1606–1623
Prince of
Hohenzollern-
Sigmaringen
r. 1623–1638
Count of
Hohenzollern-
Haigerloch
r. 1634–1638
1578–1638		John
Christopher
Count of
Hohenzollern-
Haigerloch
r. 1592–1623
1586–1623
George
William
Elector of
Brandenburg
Duke of Prussia
r. 1619–1640
1595–1640		Christian
Ernest
Margrave of
Brandenburg-
Bayreuth
r. 1655–1712
1644–1712		Christian Henry
1661–1708		John
Frederick
Margrave of
Brandenburg-
Ansbach
r. 1667–1686
1654–1686		Eitel Frederick V
Prince of
Hohenzollern-
Hechingen
r. 1623–1661
1601–1661		Philip
Prince of
Hohenzollern-
Hechingen
r. 1661–1671
1616–1671		Meinrad I
Prince of
Hohenzollern-
Sigmaringen
Count of
Hohenzollern-
Haigerloch
r. 1638–1681
1605–1681		Charles
Count of
Hohenzollern-
Haigerloch
r. 1623–1634
1588–1634
Frederick
William
the Great Elector
Elector of
Brandenburg
Duke of Prussia
r. 1640–1688
1620–1688		George
William
Margrave of
Brandenburg-
Bayreuth
r. 1712–1726
1678–1726		George Frederick
Charles
Margrave of
Brandenburg-
Bayreuth
r. 1726–1735
1688–1735		Frederick
Christian
Margrave of
Brandenburg-
Bayreuth
r. 1763–1769
1708–1769		Frederick
William
Prince of
Hohenzollern-
Hechingen
r. 1671–1735
1663–1735		Herman FrederickMaximilian I
Prince of
Hohenzollern-
Sigmaringen
r. 1681–1689
1636–1689		Francis
Anthony
Count of
Hohenzollern-
Haigerloch
r. 1681–1702
1657–1702
Brandenburg-
Schwedt
Branch
Frederick I
the Mercenary King
Duke of Prussia
r. 1688–1701
King in Prussia
r. 1701–1713
Frederick III
Elector of
Brandenburg
r. 1688–1713
1657–1713		Philip
William
Margrave of
Brandenburg-
Schwedt
r. 1688–1711
1669–1711		Frederick
Margrave of
Brandenburg-
Bayreuth
r. 1735–1763
1711–1763		Christian
Albert
Margrave of
Brandenburg-
Ansbach
r. 1686–1692
1675–1692		George
Frederick II
the Younger
Margrave of
Brandenburg-
Ansbach
r. 1692–1703
1678–1703		William
Frederick
Margrave of
Brandenburg-
Ansbach
r. 1703–1723
1686–1723		Frederick
Louis
Prince of
Hohenzollern-
Hechingen
r. 1730–1750
1688–1750		Joseph
Frederick William
Prince of
Hohenzollern-
Hechingen
r. 1750–1798
1717–1798		Francis XavierMeinrad II
Prince of
Hohenzollern-
Sigmaringen
r. 1689–1715
Count of
Hohenzollern-
Haigerloch
r. 1702–1715
1673–1715		Ferdinand
Leopold
Count of
Hohenzollern-
Haigerloch
r. 1702–1750
1692–1750		Francis
Christopher
Anthony
Count of
Hohenzollern-
Haigerloch
r. 1750–1767
1699–1767
Frederick
William I
the Soldier King
King in Prussia
Elector of
Brandenburg
r. 1713–1740
1688–1740		Frederick
William
Margrave of
Brandenburg-
Schwedt
r. 1731–1771
1700–1771		Frederick
Henry
Margrave of
Brandenburg-
Schwedt
r. 1771–1788
1709–1788		Charles William
Frederick
Margrave of
Brandenburg-
Ansbach
r. 1723–1757
1712–1757		Herman
Prince of
Hohenzollern-
Hechingen
r. 1798–1810
1751–1810		Joseph
Frederick
Ernest
Prince of
Hohenzollern-
Sigmaringen
r. 1715–1769
Count of
Hohenzollern-
Haigerloch
r. 1767–1769
1702–1769
Frederick II
the Great
King in Prussia
r. 1740–1772
King of Prussia
r. 1772–1786
Elector of
Brandenburg
r. 1740–1786
1712–1786		Augustus William
1722–1758		Alexander
Margrave of
Brandenburg-
Ansbach
r. 1757–1791
Margrave of
Brandenburg-
Bayreuth
r. 1769–1791
1736–1806		Frederick
Herman Otto
Prince of
Hohenzollern-
Hechingen
r. 1810–1838
1776–1838		Charles
Frederick
Prince of
Hohenzollern-
Sigmaringen
r. 1769–1785
1724–1785
Frederick
William II
King of Prussia
Elector of
Brandenburg
r. 1786–1797
1744–1797		Constantine
Prince of
Hohenzollern-
Hechingen
r. 1838–1849
1801–1869		Anthony
Alois
Prince of
Hohenzollern-
Sigmaringen
r. 1785–1831
1762–1831
Frederick
William III
King of Prussia
r. 1797–1840
Elector of
Brandenburg
r. 1797–1806
1770–1840		Charles
Prince of
Hohenzollern-
Sigmaringen
r. 1831–1848
1785–1853
Frederick
William IV
King of Prussia
r. 1840–1861
1795–1861		William I
German Emperor
r. 1871–1888
King of Prussia
r. 1861–1888
1797–1888		Charles
Anthony
Prince of
Hohenzollern-
Sigmaringen
r. 1848–1849
Prince of
Hohenzollern
r. 1869–1885
1811–1885
Frederick III
German Emperor
King of Prussia
r. 1888
1831–1888		Leopold
Prince of
Hohenzollern
r. 1885–1905
1835–1905		Charles I
Domnitor of Romania
r. 1866–1881
King of Romania
r. 1881–1914
1839–1914
Romanian Branch
William II
German Emperor
King of Prussia
r. 1888–1918
1859–1941		William
Prince of
Hohenzollern
r. 1905–1927
1864–1927		Ferdinand I
King of Romania
r. 1914–1927
1865–1927
Frederick
Prince of
Hohenzollern
r. 1927–1965
1891–1965		Charles II
King of Romania
r. 1930–1940
1893–1953
Frederick
William
Prince of
Hohenzollern
r. 1965–2010
1924–2010		Michael I
King of Romania
r. 1927–1930,
1940–1947
1921–2017
Charles
Frederick
Prince of
Hohenzollern
r. 2010–present
1952–present

Residences

Palaces of the Prussian Hohenzollerns

Palaces of the Franconian branches

Palaces of the Swabian Hohenzollerns

Property claims

In 2014, Prince Georg Friedrich, Head of the House of Hohenzollern filed a claim on the property of the Huis Doorn, the manor that Kaiser Wilhelm II spent his last time after being abdicated, but this was rejected by Dutch Minister Jet Bussemaker.[24][25]

In mid-2019, it was revealed that Prince Georg Friedrich had filed claims for permanent right of residency for his family in Cecilienhof, or one of two other Hohenzollern palaces in Potsdam, as well as return of the family library, 266 paintings, an imperial crown and sceptre, and the letters of Empress Augusta Victoria.[26]

Central to the argument was that Monbijou Palace, which had been permanently given to the family following the fall of the Kaiser, was demolished by the East German government in 1959. Lawyers for the German state argued that the involvement of members of the family in National Socialism had voided any such rights.[26]

In June 2019, a claim made by Prince Georg Friedrich that Rheinfels Castle be returned to the Hohenzollern family was dismissed by a court. In 1924, the ruined Castle had been given by the state of Rhineland-Palatinate to the town of St Goar, under the provision it was not sold. In 1998, the town leased the ruins to a nearby hotel. His case made the claim that this constituted a breach of the bequest.[27]

Coats of arms

For younger sons, to the extent that they did difference arms, the Hohenzollerns tended to use bordures of different colors or combinations of:

Members of the family after abdication

Royal Brandenburg-Prussian branch

Princely Swabian branch

See also

References

  1. "Hohenzollern". The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language (5th ed.). HarperCollins.
  2. "Hohenzollern". Collins English Dictionary. HarperCollins.
  3. "Hohenzollern" (US) and "Hohenzollern". Lexico UK English Dictionary. Oxford University Press. Archived from the original on 2020-02-14.
  4. "Hohenzollern". Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary. Merriam-Webster. OCLC 1032680871.
  5. "Encyclopædia Britannica. Hohenzollern Dynasty".
  6. Genealogisches Handbuch des Adels, Fürstliche Häuser XIX. "Haus Hohenzollern". C.A. Starke Verlag, 2011, pp. 30–33. ISBN 978-3-7980-0849-6.
  7. Jeep, John M. (2001). Jeep, John. Medieval Germany: An Encyclopedia. Psychology Press. ISBN 9780824076443.
  8. Christopher Clark The Iron Kingdom: The Rise and Downfall of Prussia 1600-1947 (Penguin, 2007) pp. 115–121
  9. Christopher Clark (1996). "Confessional policy and the limits of state action: Frederick William III and the Prussian Church Union 1817–40". Historical Journal. 39 (4): 985–1004. doi:10.1017/S0018246X00024730. JSTOR 2639865. S2CID 159976974.
  10. "Official Website of the House of Hohenzollern: Prinz Georg Friedrich von Preußen". Archived from the original on 2014-02-18.
  11. Heraldry of the Royal Families of Europe, Jiří Louda & Michael Maclagan, 1981, pp. 178–179.
  12. Huberty, Michel; Giraud, Alain; Magdelaine, F.; B. (1989). L'Allemagne Dynastique, Tome V – Hohenzollern-Waldeck. France: Laballery. pp. 30, 33. ISBN 2-901138-05-5.
  13. "Romania's former King Michael ends ties with German Hohenzollern dynasty". The Canadian Press.
  14. ""King Michael I broke ties with historical and dynastic House of Hohenzollern" in Adevarul – News Bucharest, 10 May 2011".
  15. V.P. Long live the ex-king; The former King Michael is received warmly in parliament economist.com October 25, 2011
  16. Haigerloch was sold to Austria in 1381; the branch changed seat to Rottenburg am Neckar, which was later inherited by the Counts of Sulz.
  17. Despite the territory being a principality, its rulers were always called Margraves.
  18. Schmid, Ludwig (1862). "Geschichte der Grafen von Zollern-Hohenberg. Anhang. Historisch-topographische Zusammenstellung der Grafschaft und Besitzungen des Hauses Zollern-Hohenberg". Geschichte der Grafen von Zollern-Hohenberg. Google Books: Gebrüder Scheitlin. schmid zollern.
  19. Monumenta Zollerana (1852), CCLIX, p. 127.
  20. Frederick XI ascended to the county earlier than his cousin Frederick X, but is counted higher, probably because Frederick XI was either himself younger than Frederick X, or came from the younger Strasbourgian line, which later influenced hsitoians who gave numbers to these counts.
  21. Sometimes numbered Frederick V.
  22. Schneider, Frank (1952). Geschichte der formellen Staatswirtschaft von Brandenburg-Preussen (in German). Duncker & Humblot. p. 51. ISBN 9783428013524 – via Google Books. {{cite book}}: ISBN / Date incompatibility (help)
  23. Statement of Abdication of William II (28 November 1918)
  24. Jet Bussemaker (26 September 2014). "Brief van Eversheds inzake teruggave Huis Doorn" (in Dutch).
  25. "Brieven verschenen van familie Duitse keizer die Huis Doorn claimde". RTV Utrecht (in Dutch). 24 November 2020.
  26. Derek Scally (25 July 2019). "The fall of the House of Hohenzollern". Irish Times.
  27. Josie Le Blond (25 June 2019). "Kaiser's descendant loses court battle to regain 13th-century castle". The Guardian.

Further reading

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