Some Knightly Orders and Titles That Could Allow "von":

1. Order of the Holy Ghost (Order of the Holy Spirit)

   • This order, which was associated with chivalric and religious traditions, included knights who often came from noble families. Membership in such orders, especially higher ones, could lead to individuals being recognized as nobility, allowing them to use "von" in their name.

2. Teutonic Order

   • The Teutonic Order (or Order of Brothers of the German House of Saint Mary in Jerusalem) was a medieval military order that originated in the Holy Land. Many of the order’s knights came from noble families, and membership often allowed for the addition of "von" to a person's name, indicating nobility.
   • Members of the Teutonic Order who owned land or estates, or were knighted within the order, often bore "von" as a marker of their nobility.

3. Order of Saint John (Knights Hospitaller)

   • Similarly, knights who were members of the Order of Saint John (or Knights Hospitaller) could be granted the title of "Sir", and if they were from noble backgrounds, they were permitted to use "von" as part of their name, particularly if they owned estates or lands.

4. Order of Saint Lazarus

   • The Order of Saint Lazarus, particularly in its later forms, also allowed its members, especially those of noble birth, to use "von" in their name. While the order itself was not directly tied to landownership in all cases, members who were from noble families typically used the "von" designation.

5. Order of the Iron Cross (Pre-1871)

   • The Order of the Iron Cross, which was awarded in Prussia and later by the German Empire, did not inherently grant the "von" title. However, those who were already noble and received the Iron Cross (especially high-ranking officers and commanders) might have used "von" as part of their name, particularly if their nobility was tied to a specific estate or title.

6. Imperial German Orders (Pre-1918)

   • Orders granted under the German Empire, such as the Order of the Red Eagle, Order of the Black Eagle, and Order of the Hohenzollern, often allowed recipients who were of noble origin to use "von" as a prefix to their surname. These orders were prestigious and generally reserved for nobility or those with significant achievements, and members of noble families who were knighted could use "von" as a mark of their status.

7. Certain Barons and Knights

   • In addition to orders, knighthood itself could be linked to noble landowners. For example, an individual who was granted the title of Baron in many regions of Germany could use "von" as part of their surname. This was especially common for barons who had received knighthood or a noble title.

"von" and Name Changes:

It is true that many individuals who were knighted or granted noble titles, such as those in the Prussian or Habsburg traditions, often added "von" to their names. This was especially common in the 19th century, as titles and honors became more formalized in European society.

• Adolph Menzel, the famous German painter, for instance, might have added "von" to his name after being knighted or honored, or it could have been a change related to family heritage or social status rather than a direct result of knighthood. This was part of a broader trend where individuals, even those not born into nobility, could be granted the "von" prefix after receiving certain honors or recognition.

Why did "von" become common?

• "Von" is typically associated with noble families that owned land or had significant influence. Historically, "von" indicated a connection to a particular place, such as a town or estate (e.g., von Hohenberg, von Bismarck).
• Some individuals, especially in the 19th century during the rise of military and civil honors, were granted the "von" prefix even if they were not directly of noble birth, particularly in Prussia and the German Empire.

In summary:

Knighthood in certain orders or military awards in Germany and Europe could allow the recipient to use "von" before their name, especially if the person was granted recognition or if they were already noble or had acquired land or estates. Orders such as the Teutonic Order, Order of Saint John, and Order of Saint Lazarus, as well as military honors like the Iron Cross, could be linked to the use of "von" by individuals who had achieved knighthood or been recognized for their service.