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In German, von [fɔn] is a preposition which approximately means of or from.

When it is used as a part of a German family name, it indicates almost always a noble patriarchal lineage. "von" is usually a nobiliary particle, like de in French.[1] The von particle is also often part of commoners' surnames; thus, "Hans von Duisburg" meant Hans from [the city of] Duisburg. The Dutch van, which is a cognate of von but does not indicate nobility, has preserved this meaning.