Emergence of the name “of the Marwitz”

i was curious of how my name came about and where it originated... and here is quite a discovery...

The final syllable of the name Marwitz is undoubtedly slawischen origin and stands in connection with a place Marwitz in close proximity to Landsberg to the Warthe, it already in 13. Century gave. The place is mentioned documentary for the first time 1337 as possession of the Henning v. Marwitz.

The fact that the surname comes from the place and is not turned around, is not accepted can with a high degree at probability. The appropriation of the new Marks took place via German knights originating from the west and their attendants. Usually at that time performed services were paid off by Belehnung with country. The Belehnten carried originally probably no surnames, there this in 12. And 13. Century was still uncommon. In this early time it was usual against the fact that the Belehnte attached itself to the name of its Lehens and/or was designated of others and his leaning gentlemen than - in our case - the gentleman von Marwitz.

Out of many documents it is to be taken that the way of writing of the name in 15. Century was non-uniform. Thus we e.g. find Marwytz, Marvitzen, Mareviz and Mach joke beside Marwitz. The fact that sometimes it concerns even the same man proves documents, in which the Vogt of the German medal is mentioned later once with Mach joke and short time with Marwitz. In a document in Reetz the name appears for the first time as “v. of the Marwitz” to 23. 04. 1354.

A legend means that the family Marwitz in the man trunk and only a virgin of the name had expired was present. When this came into the manable age, she traveled to the emperor, threw themselves to him to feet and requested from him the grace that the male descendants from a possible marriage might carry the name of the Marwitz, so that the name would not become extinct.

The emperor approved its request with the edition that the male descendants would have to bear the name “of the Marwitz” (instead of of Marwitz). This legend was transferred likewise to the coat of arms, which shows an old tree, from which new impulses strike, as well as one - kneel-end originally - virgin.

Summary following “supplement for the history of the family of the Marwitz” of Walther v. Diest; 1929. Supplement of Ralph v.d.Marwitz; 1960. Summary Fabian v.d. Marwitz, 2003.