Description
Information about the family history and the coat of arms
Family history
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Family history of Burggraf von Dohna
The Burggraves of Dohna – A Name on a Wandering Path
The history of the Dohna family began in 1127 with the noble knight Heinrich von Rötha in the Pleißenland. Since 1156, his family held the castle of Donin, today's Dohna south of Dresden, as a royal fief. From the castle overlooking the Müglitz River, the castle lords controlled the route to Bohemia and protected royal rights in the Elbe valley. Between Meissen and the Bohemian crown, they created an independent territory.
In the 12th and 13th centuries, the Dohnas conquered the eastern Ore Mountains. Castles such as Weesenstein and Kuckuckstein, villages, markets, and manor houses brought their rule to life. The situation between powerful neighbors demanded diplomacy. From a private dispute, the seven-year Dohna War broke out in 1395. Margrave Wilhelm I of Meissen conquered the main castle in 1402; the family shifted its focus to Bohemia, Silesia, the Lusatia region, and later to Prussia.
The title remained her trademark. Emperor Ferdinand III. confirmed the Dohnas as Reichsburggrafen and Grafen in 1648. As early as the 16th century, Peter zu Dohna had received Schlobitten, Carwinden and other estates in the Duchy of Prussia. These formed the lines Schlobitten, Schlodien, Lauck, Carwinden and Reichertswalde. Their members served as field commanders, diplomats, governors and ministers in Brandenburg-Prussian, imperial and Dutch courts.
Friedrich zu Dohna was governor of Orange in the 17th century and mediated between Brandenburg, the Netherlands and Switzerland. Alexander zu Dohna-Schlobitten served as Prussian field marshal and tutor to King Frederick William I. In the 18th century, the family expanded their estates and supported churches, schools and more advanced manor management.
The 20th century brought the house to trials. Heinrich Graf zu Dohna-Schlobitten was part of the resistance against National Socialism. Alexander Fürst zu Dohna-Schlobitten led a refugee route from East Prussia to the West in 1945 and saved parts of the family archive. The family continues to exist. His archives, recovered art works and restored memorial sites now connect Saxony, Silesia, East Prussia and Europe.
Sources: Deutsche Biographie, Saxon Biography, Ostpreußen.net
Coat of arms & Heraldry
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Family coat of arms Burggraf von Dohna
The coat of arms of the counts and burghers of Dohna.
In blue, two obliquely crossed five- to six-pointed silver deer horns. On the helmet with blue-silver covers, a growing golden-glorified Virgin with long golden hair in a silver-blue fringed garment, between two upright silver deer horns that she holds with her hands.
The counts and burghers of Dohna are an originally noble-free lineage that has held the rich and independent burgh of Dohna since the 12th century.
Sources: Family history of Dohna, Castle Archive Wildenfels, heraldic and genealogical representation of the family, Donin's deeds, Adelslexikon
Overview of your title package
What the title of nobility contains
Discover the fascination of historical noble titles. With each appointment, you receive a first-class package that perfectly combines tradition, personal recognition, and stylish representation:
Your certificate
Authentic design with a historic flair: For each region, we create a certificate of appointment in the distinctive, country-specific style – complete with the appropriate coat of arms of your chosen title.
Share this special moment: Upon request, you will receive a free partner certificate and certificates for your children, so that the whole family can participate in the tradition.
Your own coat of arms
Each title comes with the corresponding historical coat of arms, which you receive as a high-resolution file. You can use it completely freely in private and professional contexts – whether on letterhead, business cards, or seals.
The Companion Book
The book „My Title“ takes you in detail into the multifaceted world of your new aristocratic title and offers valuable practical tips for everyday life, stylish guidance, and background information on history.
Our accessories
Golden ID Card
Crafted from premium aluminum in business card format, the gold ID Card makes your title look stylish and mobile.
Gold coins
Fine gold and silver-plated medallions combine coats of arms, names and titles in a glossy, unique design.
Emblem stamp
The self-inking stamp quickly, cleanly and precisely transfers your personal emblem onto letterhead paper.
My own wine
Choose fine red or white wine with an elegant, personalized label for a stylish look.
Wappen Gläser
The masterfully engraved wine glasses display their coat of arms, name and title in stunning brilliance.
Precision pliers
The elegant embossing pliers embellishes letterheads or documents with a tactile, colourless relief embossing.
Honorary membership
Membership of the Noble Society Institute enriches your title with another dimension of exclusive representation. Validated by a magnificent certificate in your name, with no ongoing fees or obligations.
