Finck von Finckenstein


The House of Finck von Finckenstein is a noble family classified as Uradel. It is one of the oldest Prussian aristocratic families extant, dating back to the 12th century in the Duchy of Carinthia.

Origins

According to the Prussian [State Archive Königsberg], the first representative of the family appeared authentically with one 'Niche of Roghusen' in 1388 in Roggenhausen in the State of the Teutonic Order. However, his allocation is uncertain; under its current name, the house appears authentically in 1451 with 'Michael Fincke' who calls himself 'Finck von Roggenhausen' in 1474. The family was raised to Imperial Counts and Counts in Prussia as 'Finck von Finckenstein' in 1710.
The Finck von Finckenstein's Imperial Count Diploma of 1710 determines as the cradle of the house of Finck von Finckenstein the today dilapidated Finkenstein Castle ruin in Carinthia. Hereafter the house appears for the first time 1143 with Gotwold von Finkenstein, Master of Finkenstein in Carinthia.
The Carinthian branch of the Finckensteins died in the 14th century, a junior branch, however, joined the Order of St John and after possibly participating in the Third Crusade conquered Old Prussia and Christianised the Old Prussians. According to the Imperial Count Diploma Konrad Finck von Finckenstein came during the Prussian Crusade in the 13th century with his 100 knights of the Order of [Saint John (Bailiwick of Brandenburg)|Order of St John] in its drive to conquer Old Prussia alongside the Teutonic Knights.

People

German musician Tommy Finke also uses the pseudonym T.D. Finck von Finckenstein