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The word ''Fürst'' designates the head (the "first") of a ruling house, or the head of a branch of such a house. The "first" originates from ancient Germanic times, when the "first" was the leader in battle. |
The word ''Fürst'' designates the head (the "first") of a ruling house, or the head of a branch of such a house. The "first" originates from ancient Germanic times, when the "first" was the leader in battle. |
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Cognates of the word ''Fürst'' exist in [[Dutch]] (''vorst''), and in the [[Slavic language|Slavonic languages]]. The German title is also used in Scandinavian ([[North Germanic language|North Germanic]]) languages, where it is spelled ''furste'' in [[Swedish (language)|Swedish]], and ''fyrste'' in Danish and Norwegian. |
Cognates of the word ''Fürst'' exist in [[Dutch language|Dutch]] (''vorst''), and in the [[Slavic language|Slavonic languages]]. The German title is also used in Scandinavian ([[North Germanic language|North Germanic]]) languages, where it is spelled ''furste'' in [[Swedish (language)|Swedish]], and ''fyrste'' in Danish and Norwegian. |
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Revision as of 14:20, 27 September 2005
Fürst (plural Fürsten) is a German title of nobility, usually translated into English as "Prince". The female form is Fürstin (plural Fürstinnen).
Use of the title in German
The title Fürst is used for the heads of princely houses of German origin. Unless he also holds a higher title, such as duke or king, he will be known either by the formula "Fürst von + [geographic origin of the dynasty]", or by the formula "Fürst zu + [name of the ruled territory]". Exceptions, however, exist to these general rules.
The actual rank of the holder of a title is, however, dependent on not only the title as such, but on for instance the degree of sovereignty and on the rank of the lord of the title-holder. But also such matters as the age of the princely dynasty play a role (note the terms Uradel, Briefadel, altfürstliche, neufürstliche; and see German nobility).
The present-day rulers of the principality of Liechtenstein bear the title of Fürst, and the title is also used in German when referring to the ruling princes of Monaco. The hereditary rulers of the one-time principalities of Bulgaria, Serbia, Montenegro, and Albania were also all referred to in German as Fürsten, before they all eventually assumed the title of "King" (translated in German as König).
Related titles
A Kurfürst was an Elector of the Holy Roman Empire. Kur, earlier spelled Chur, is derived from kur/küren, "to choose".
Großfürst is the German equivalent of the Latin Magnus Princeps, which in English is translated as Grand Duke, and is used, for example, for the sons of a Tsar. "Grand Duke" is otherwise translated as Großherzog in German (Magnus Dux in Latin).
Other uses in German
Fürst is also used more generally in German to refer to a ruler, such as in Machiavelli's The Prince. Thus a King, Duke, and a Fürst in the narrower sense are all covered by the term. Before the 12th century, counts were also included in this group, according to how the word was used in Germany.
The child of a Fürst (in this general sense) is as a rule referred to as Prinz (Prince) or Prinzessin (Princess), although exceptionally there exist families where all or some members are Fürst/Fürstin (Wrede) or Herzog/Herzogin (Anhalt, Bavaria, Mecklenburg, Oldenburg, Saxony and Württemberg)[1].
Fürst is also a German and/or Jewish surname.
Origins and cognates of the title
The word Fürst designates the head (the "first") of a ruling house, or the head of a branch of such a house. The "first" originates from ancient Germanic times, when the "first" was the leader in battle.
Cognates of the word Fürst exist in Dutch (vorst), and in the Slavonic languages. The German title is also used in Scandinavian (North Germanic) languages, where it is spelled furste in Swedish, and fyrste in Danish and Norwegian.