Line #29 Main/TheVonTropeFamily


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9	[[quoteright:349:[[ComicBook/DCComicsBombshells https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/vontrope_baroness.png]]]]
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11	->'''Dr. Frank-N-Furter:''' Go on, Dr. Scott... or should I say, ''Dr. '''von''' Scott?!''[[note]]SIEG HEIL![[/note]]\
12	'''Brad:''' Just what exactly are you implying?[[note]]THAT HE'S A NAZI, ASSHOLE![[/note]]
13	-->-- ''Film/TheRockyHorrorPictureShow''
14
15	Want to give an ambiguous character that extra bit of onomastic intrigue? Tack a "Von" on to their last name.
16
17	Technically, ''von'' is merely a German preposition which approximately means ''of'' or ''from'' which appears mostly in names of [[BlueBlood families that belong (or once belonged) to the nobility]]. To set themselves off from commoners with "von" in their names, German-speaking noble persons sometimes prefer the abbreviation "v.". The nobility was abolished as a privileged estate in 1918, since then "von" and titles of nobility like "Graf" (count) or "Ritter" (knight) are treated as mere parts of the name. Note that in German, ''von'' is not capitalized unless it's the first word of a sentence; a permanently capitalized "Von" is mostly English usage. Before the 20th century, it was quite common to translate "von" as "de" in French texts and German-speaking diplomats would sign that way under treaties (which explains why even today it's not uncommon to see Germanic names preceded by that particular Latin preposition).
18
19	Some German-speaking noble families have more elaborate particles before their name such as "von dem" (shortened form: "vom") or "von der" (both mean "of the"), others have "zu" or "zum" (roughly "at", which usually indicates the actual or former place of residence), some have [[BreadEggsBreadedEggs "vom und zum"]]. There are also both noble families which have "SURNAME von OTHER NAME" or "SURNAME zu PLACE NAME" (as usual, there are exceptions, such as names of the pattern "Meyer zu PLACE NAME" and e. g. the poet August Hoffmann von Fallersleben, who added "von Fallersleben" after his birthplace to distinguish himself from other writers called Hoffmann). And there are ones that combine "von" with "nobility indicators" from other languages such as with many surnames containing the slavic suffix "-ski" or "-sky" or Franco-German combinations as the noble Huguenot family ''von Arnauld de la Perière''.
20
21	At its most basic level, "von" merely exists as a marker of Germanic origin, high origin or both. However, character namers have seen fit to use the syllable to make two main branches of the Von Trope Family tree.
22
23	# Darker Von Trope: Often the Von implies sternness, skill at intrigue, [[AristocratsAreEvil power, autocracy, villainy, sadism]] or any of the other tropes that {{Those Wacky Nazi\|s}} [[NaziNobleman Noblemen]] tend to inspire -- ironically, as the old nobility largely despised the Nazis as ''parvenus''. Less dark variations may include the particularly [[DarknessVonGothickName Gothic]] or the militaristic badass, especially those that are a riff on Otto von Bismarck (a classic MagnificentBastard) or Baron Manfred von Richthofen, The RedBaron. Sometimes the characters with the name do not have a Germanic origin at all.
24	# Lighter Von Trope: It is also used as more of a StockForeignName for a Germanic FunnyForeigner (especially HerrDoktor), or for goofy characters for whom the aristocratic bearing of the name seems incongruous.
25
26	Naturally, there may be crossover between these two subsets.
27
28	When the character just happens to have that as part of their family name, with no particular cultural significance meant to be attached (though in countries with a long history of democracy, the elitist overtones of the prefix often cause it to be dropped), [[Administrivia/PeopleSitOnChairs it's not this trope or any other one]].
29
30	The Dutch equivalent, "van", may be used to imply the same categories, though "van" is a lot more, well, common (in both senses: "frequent" and "having ancestors who were commoners rather than nobility"). In America, a Dutch PreppyName is often a better shorthand to signify old money and "[[WhiteAngloSaxonProtestant WASPiness]]" than an actual Anglo-Saxon one would be.
31
32	A common misconception is that "von" should be pronounced with a ''voiced'' labiodental fricative, the usual sound of V in English. But the V is in most cases pronounced as a ''voiceless'' labiodental fricative in German, which is usually spelt F in English, so it is actually pronounced "fon".
33
34	The trope name is a pun on the von Trapp family, of ''Theatre/TheSoundOfMusic'' fame.
35
36	Can overlap with DarknessVonGothickname.
37
38	----
39
40	[[foldercontrol]]
41
42	!!Darker Von Trope Examples:
43
44	[[folder:Anime and Manga]]
45	* Rudol Von Stroheim in ''Manga/JoJosBizarreAdventure'', a proud Nazi soldier who's very convinced that anything German is '''THE BEST IN THE WORLD'''. But nonetheless, he's also a heroic patriot who'll give his life for his country and recognizes the Pillar Men as a threat to the world, thus has no problems with teaming up with people from the Allied nations for that.
46	* About half of the cast from the Galactic Empire side of ''Literature/LegendOfTheGalacticHeroes'' feature this in their names. (for example: Reinhard von Lohengramm, Annerose von Grunewald, Hildegard von Mariendorf, etc.)
47	* Tanya Degurechaff from ''Literature/TheSagaOfTanyaTheEvil'' earns the privilege of adding a "von" to her family name after rising to become one of the Twelve Knights of the Military College, signifying her ascension to minor nobility.
48	* Bermuda Von Vichtenstein from ''Manga/Reborn2004''. Not exactly evil, but he's still a [[KnightTemplar Vendice]] afterall.
49	* Kanae Von Rosewald from ''Manga/TokyoGhoul:re''. The SoleSurvivor of a prominent German clan of Ghouls, he's a servant of the illustrious Tsukiyama family and a {{Yandere}} towards his beloved master, Shuu Tsukiyama. For all his {{Camp}} mannerisms, he proves to be a dangerous opponent when provoked.
50	* Isaak Fernand von Kämpfer from ''Literature/TrinityBlood'' invented the [[NebulousEvilOrganisation Rosenkreuz Order]].
51	* Henrietta "Annette" von Penrose from ''Literature/EightySixEightySix'', a brilliant scientist for the Republic of San Magnolia and its Alba supremacist government. Her father, Josef von Penrose, takes the darker Germanic parallel even further, as he was the one responsible for developing the Para-RAID communication device through immense amounts of unethical human experimentation that eventually [[DrivenToSuicide led him to kill himself.]] The name is also a clue in-universe that [[spoiler: the von Penrose family were originally citizens of the aggressively expansionist [[FantasyCounterpartCulture Germanic-style Empire of Giad]] and were actually immigrants to the Republic, not native-born citizens of San Magnolia.]]
52	[[/folder]]
53
54	[[folder:Asian Animation]]
55	* In ''Animation/BoonieBears'', Vick's full name in English is Victor von Finkelstein. Considering "von" is used for German noble families, yet Vick, being a ButtMonkey whose is absolutely pathetic as his simple job of cutting trees, doesn't resemble an aristocrat or anyone else you would expect to have the name at all, it's PlayedForLaughs or at least used to show he has Germanic origins.
56	[[/folder]]
57
58	[[folder:Comic Books]]
59	* Hans von Hammer, protagonist of the Creator/DCComics feature ''ComicBook/EnemyAce''. He's portrayed more as a WorthyOpponent RedBaron kind of person, though.
60	* The UsefulNotes/WorldWarI serial ''ComicBook/GoldenEyesAndHerHeroBill'' has the antagonistic officer Hugo Von Schwatzenburg as the only named German in the entire comic.
61	* Von Bach of DC's ''ComicBook/KingdomCome''. He's some kind of dictator and only speaks German.
62	* MadScientist Simon von Simon (and his unseen rival Sigmund von Sigmund) in ''Little Gloomy''.
63	* Franchise/MarvelUniverse
64	** Baron Wolfgang von Strucker, the leader of Hydra in the Marvel Universe.
65	** Doctor Victor Von Doom. [[ComicBook/FantasticFour Reed Richards']] archenemy. Though he's actually UsefulNotes/{{Romani}} rather than German, and had little chance of being on the Almanac von Gotha.
66	** Baron von Blitzschlag, a Nazi scientist who's a kind of villainous NewOldFlame - had offscreen run ins with ''ComicBook/CaptainAmerica'' and other heroes. Currently acting as a scientific adviser to ''The Initiative'', working on such catastrophes as Cyborg Thor and repeatedly cloning a deceased member.
67	* Baroness Paula Von Gunther, antagonist of ''Franchise/WonderWoman''. One of the few comic villains to make the leap to [[Series/WonderWoman1975 the TV show]], in fact.
68	[[/folder]]
69
70	[[folder:Film - Animated]]
71	* ''WesternAnimation/TheIncredibles1'' mentions an old villain named [[AristocratsAreEvil Baron]] Von [[NamesToRunAwayFromReallyFast Ruthless]].
72	* Velma Dinkley from ''Franchise/ScoobyDoo'' originally had Von Dinkelstein as her lineage name (from the made-for-video movie ''Scooby Doo: Frankencreepy''). It was shortened to Dinkley when the family migrated to America.
73	* Dr. Amelia von Butch from ''WesternAnimation/ScoobyDooInWheresMyMummy'' is an evil AdventurerArchaeologist who attempts to rob the tomb of Cleopatra.
74	[[/folder]]
75
76	[[folder:Film - Live Action]]
77	* One of the CorruptCorporateExecutive types seen in an early scene in ''Film/{{Aliens}}'' is named Van Leuwen.
78	* ''Film/ArchOfTriumph'': Von Haake the Nazi is a big believer in it. He draws the incorrect conclusion that Ravic is a German aristocrat. When Ravic introduces himself with the alias "Horn", von Haake says "''von'' Horn?", and Ravic nods.
79	* General von Pinck, the German assassin in ''Film/TheAssassinationBureau''.
80	* The von Krolock family, of ''Film/TheFearlessVampireKillers'' and ''Theatre/TanzDerVampire''.
81	* Colonel von Luger in ''Film/TheGreatEscape''.
82	* Captain Friedrich von Hecht - and his superior General von Kleber - in ''Film/HornetsNest''.
83	* Hunter Van Pelt, the EvilPoacher of ''Film/{{Jumanji}}''. While a real name in Dutch, it's an obvious pun on "Pelt".
84	* Captain von Schoenvorts in ''Film/TheLandThatTimeForgot'' is militaristic, though honorable.
85	* ''Film/TheRockyHorrorPictureShow'': "Go ahead, Dr. Scott...Or should I say Dr. VON Scott?" The line is indeed used in the stage version to reveal an unaccented Scott's Germanic, likely Nazi history. However, it makes much less sense in the movie where, from the start, he has a ThoseWackyNazis accent.
86	* The name of Frankenstein is {{Retcon}}ned into von Frankenstein in Universal's third ''Frankenstein'' film, ''Film/SonOfFrankenstein''.
87	** And since ''Film/YoungFrankenstein'' is an AffectionateParody of that film in particular, as well as a pastiche of Frankenstein films in general, it adopts the same naming convention. The coffin seen in the page image belongs to Baron Beaufort von Frankenstein, the last legitimate holder of the title as he disowned his son Victor over the whole "perversion of science/irresponsibly playing God" incident, until his will passed it on to grandson Friedrick Frankenstein in the hopes that he could repair the family name.
88	** The last of the Frankenstein line in ''Film/Frankenstein1970'' is Baron Victor von Frankenstein.
89	** Averted in the original novel as the Frankensteins are Swiss, and in fact express pride in their country being a republic without nobles.
90	* Velvet von Ragnar, the CreepyCrossdresser played by Gene Simmons in ''Never Too Young to Die''.
91	* General von Kobler and Colonel von Gutz from ''Film/UpTheFront'' are high-ranking German army officials who will stop at nothing to retrieve their master plan from the British.
92	* The title character played by Music/FrankSinatra in ''Film/VonRyansExpress''. He is not a German at all, but an American POW who is apparently too cooperative with the Germans, which earns him the nickname. It turns out to be a subversion, as he was feigning cooperation to prepare for a mass escape.
93	* Captain von Brauchitsch in ''Film/WhereEaglesDare''. The name is that of an actual family (one of Hitler's field marshals and a prominent race-car driver of the 1930s belonged to it), originally Slavic (Silesian, to be precise).
94	[[/folder]]
95
96	[[folder:Literature]]
97	* There are many vons among the generals commanding the two Russian armies invading Germany in ''August, 1914'' by Creator/AleksandrSolzhenitsyn, causing the protagonist to wonder whose armies they really are. Ironically, the German army opposing them is led by a Huguenot, with a French name (but also a von): Herman von Francois.
98	* The von Shrakenbergs from S.M. Stirling's ''Literature/TheDraka'' series.
99	* Sepp von [[LouisCypher Theofels]] from an ''Literature/ErastFandorin'' spinoff series.
100	* In the ''Literature/JamesBond'' books, we have the Nazi war criminals Graf Hugo von der Drache (aka Hugo Drax) from ''Literature/{{Moonraker}}'', von Richter from ''Literature/ColonelSun'', von Hammerstein from the short story "Literature/ForYourEyesOnly", Count von Glöda from ''Literature/{{Icebreaker}}'' and the Hitler-wannabe Max von Tarn from ''Literature/SeaFire''.
101	* Baron Friedrich von Schoenvorts in ''Literature/TheLandThatTimeForgot'' is a sadistic autocrat.
102	* Eugen von Frenzel in ''Literature/APearlForMyMistress''. Given, that the book is set in 1934, it doubles as a NameToRunAwayFromReallyFast.
103	* ''Literature/RachelGriffin'': Vladimir Von Dread in ''The Unexpected Enlightenment of Rachel Griffin'', Prince of Bavaria, [[AbsurdlyPowerfulStudentCouncil President of the Knights of Walpurgis dueling club]].
104	* Von Bork, the German spy whom Franchise/SherlockHolmes captures in ''His Last Bow''.
105	* Houses Von Jeggett, Von Kruger, and Von Hastur from ''[[Literature/TheTaleOfGavenMorren The Tale Of The Exile]]''.
106	* ''Literature/{{Victoria}}'' has the neo-Nazi chieftain Leader von Braun, who might (by the sound of it) be related to the German rocket scientist--though protagonist John Rumford has some doubts about how legitimate his name really is. On the good side, there is Prince Michael of Prussia, referred to by his family name as Prince Michael von Hohenzollern.
107	[[/folder]]
108
109	[[folder:Live Action TV]]
110	* Major-General Erich von Klinkerhoffen of ''Series/AlloAllo'' certainly falls on the sterner side of ThoseWackyNazis, while Colonel Kurt von Strohm is more jovial. (Which says something when you can say that about someone who threatens to have people shot.)
111	* ''Series/{{Blackadder}} Goes Forth'': George's idea for finding the German spy at the field hospital is to look for the guy whose name begins with "Von". It hasn't occurred to him that the spy might be using a pseudonym.
112	* Series/{{House}} refers to the man who ratted him out at college for cheating as "Dr. Von Lieberman" although the man's real surname is "Webber", because it "sounds much eviller". (Ironically, translated back into English the name comes out as "Goodman"...)
113	* ''Series/{{Schmigadoon}}'' has an antagonistic German aristocrat named Countess Gabriele Von Blerkom.
114	[[/folder]]
115
116	[[folder:Professional Wrestling]]
117	* Professional wrestlers Baron Von Raschke and [[Wrestling/VonErichFamily Fritz Von Erich]], serve as classic examples of the ForeignWrestlingHeel type. [[CharacterizationMarchesOn The Von Erich Family eventually lost the Teutonic/Nazi gimmick]]. Fritz's sons were the top {{Face}}s of World Class Championship Wrestling (and Kerry would continue the pure face act in the [[Wrestling/{{WWE}} WWF]]). Kerry's daughter, Lacey, played a {{Heel}} in Wrestling/{{TNA}}, though without the Nazi overtones; she's blonde, but otherwise not "Germanic." Instead, she was a member of Wrestling/TheBeautifulPeople, a team of {{Alpha Bitch}}es who thought they were better looking than everyone else.
118	* Hans von Doering, an evil German who worked in New Star Wrestling and WWC in his efforts to prove the inferiority of the Caribbean people. He's also shown up in Wrestling/AllJapanProWrestling.
119	* Jim Crockett Promotions Mid Atlantic Championship Wrestling brought us Nazi Diane von Hoffman. She would even go on tour ''in Germany'', though like the Von Erichs the Nazi part was phased out later in her career.
120	[[/folder]]
121
122	[[folder:Tabletop Games]]
123	* TabletopGame/{{Ravenloft}} is home to Strahd von Zarovich, D&D's most infamous vampire, as well as other examples such as Dr. Rudolph van Richten and Urik von Kharkov.
124	* Erich and Karl Von Shrakenberg from ''TabletopGame/TechInfantry'', named as a ShoutOut to Stirling's characters.
125	* ''TabletopGame/{{Warhammer}}'':
126	** Used quite often for characters - especially nobles - from The Empire, which is unsurprising given that The Empire is based heavily on the Holy Roman Empire. Examples include Valmir von Raukov, Elector Count of Ostland, Isabella von Liebewitz, Elector Countess of Wissenland, and the mad engineer Hermann von Meinkopt, who invented the repeater handgun (getting in a bit of the "crazy German inventor" there too).
127	** A prominent bloodline of [[OurVampiresAreDifferent Vampires]] in ''Warhammer'' are the Von Carsteins, modelled on the {{Dracula}} archetype and living in [[NoCommunitiesWereHarmed an analogue for]] the Black Forest.
128	** Van examples would include the Chaos Sorcerer Egrimm van Horstmann and the infamous Witch Hunter Johann Van Hal (and his equally infamous ancestors). Van is also used in some Marienburger names to give them a more Dutch feel than the rest of the Empire's German, given that Marienburg is a mercantile free city on the Empire's Northwestern coast very reminiscent of the medieval Netherlands.
129	[[/folder]]
130
131	[[folder:Theater]]
132	* ''Von'' Rothbart who is the BigBad of Theatre/SwanLake, is an EvilSorcerer who is responsible for [[ForcedTransformation turning Odette into a swan]].
133	* The inhabitants of the [[HauntedCastle vampire infested castle]] from Theatre/TanzDerVampire, [[AristocratsAreEvil Count]] Von Krolock and his son Herbert.
134	[[/folder]]
135
136	[[folder:Video Games]]
137	* [[spoiler:Otto and Elke van Dalsen,]] TAC names "Rage" and "Scream" of ''VideoGame/{{Ace Combat 7\|SkiesUnknown}}'''s Mimic Squadron are neither Osean nor Erusean. They are bats (according to Húxiān) who are out for your blood, and their planes contain a dark livery.
138	* ''VideoGame/{{Belladonna}}'' takes place entirely in the home of Doctor Wolfram von Trauerschloss.
139	* Professor Ludwig von Tökkentäkker, the RepulsiveRingmaster of ''VideoGame/CarnEvil''.
140	* Hans von Groebel and his brother Kurt/Walther of ''VideoGame/CodenamePanzers'' apply as darker Von Tropes, if only because they're in [[ThoseWackyNazis German uniforms]] and the setting is WWII.
141	* Professor Von Kriplespac from ''VideoGame/ConkersBadFurDay''.
142	* The BigBad of ''VideoGame/CrayonChronicles'' is called Stratolustrious Von Danderbreak the 37th.
143	* ''VideoGame/{{Cuphead}}'' has the [[LevelAte candy-themed]] boss Baroness Von Bon Bon.
144	* Victor von Gerdenheim from ''VideoGame/{{Darkstalkers}}''.
145	* The [[BigScrewedUpFamily Van Graff family]] of ''VideoGame/FalloutNewVegas'' are a New Reno-based [[TheMafia crime family]] that are known to frequently butt heads with the [[TheFederation New California Republic]] and make deals with more-than-questionable groups such as [[TheEmpire Caesar's Legion]] [[PragmaticVillainy (although they do later betray them since that nets them a bigger profit)]].
146	* Wolfgang Krauser von Stroheim from ''VideoGame/FatalFury'' and ''VideoGame/TheKingOfFighters''. He's a heel wrestler who happens to love dark classical music, especially those composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. When mourning his father, he played Mozart on his pipe organ. And when you fight him in the games, Mozart's Requiem will play.
147	* Chancellor Cole from ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaSpiritTracks'' is known as Minister Von Glaiss in German localisations of the game. Should be easy why he belongs here, he kills Princess Zelda and revives the demon king Malladus using her body.
148	* Baron von [[NamesToRunAwayFromReallyFast Doomkill]] from ''VideoGame/{{MARDEK}}'' combines DoomyDoomsOfDoom with LargeHam in the best way possible. Though, at one time in the past he ''was'' a serious threat to the world.
149	* Baron Rudolf von Sturmgeist in ''VideoGame/MedalOfHonorFrontline'' is a German aristocrat and a very influential member of the SS. He's also the BigBad of the game, and is helping to create [[StupidJetpackHitler a brand-new prototype fighter aircraft for the Luftwaffe]].
150	* ''VideoGame/NintendoWars'': Von Bolt from ''Advance Wars''. The series has a habit of the BigBad having a German name (his predecessor being 'Sturm').
151	* Von Kaiser of ''VideoGame/PunchOut'', a stereotypical UsefulNotes/WorldWarI-era German aristocrat and apparently a military academy boxing instructor. This still doesn't change the fact that after years of fighting, he has only made it to or has just dropped down to the number two place in the WVBA Minor Circuit. With a record of 23-13. One suspects he's 23-1 against Glass Joe and 0-12 against anyone else.
152	* Dutch van der Linde's name in ''VideoGame/RedDeadRedemption'' mostly signifies him being, well, Dutch. However, this applies more directly to the Van der Linde Gang in ''VideoGame/RedDeadRedemption2''.
153	* ''Franchise/SuperMarioBros'':
154	** Ludwig von Koopa from ''VideoGame/SuperMarioBros3'' and later games. He even has [[EinsteinHair Beethoven Hair]].
155	** And Magnus Von Grapple from ''VideoGame/PaperMarioTheThousandYearDoor''.
156	* Werner Von Croy of the ''Franchise/TombRaider'' series (the old-school games, at least).
157	* Elzam von Branstein, and probably his father Maier von Branstein, from ''VideoGame/SuperRobotWars''. (Both are written as V. Branstein, but Elzam at least is confirmed to be "von".) They're merely {{Anti Villain}}s, so they don't possess all the dark traits of this trope, but it allows Elzam to be an {{Expy}} of both the Red Baron and the [[Anime/MobileSuitGundam Red Comet]]. Raidiese F. Branstein ditched the "von" to distance himself from his family.
158	* Von Frog II from the ''VideoGame/{{Something}}'' series. He's a MadScientist who is the guardian of the Chateau du Eau and attacks the Mountain Bear village in Something Else.
159	* ''VideoGame/ValiantHearts'' includes Baron Von Dorf, a militaristic GloryHound who recruits Karl after the German Army drafts him and directly threatens the rest of the main cast, which is on the Allied Powers' side.
160	* Helga von Schabbs, the BigBad from ''VideoGame/WolfensteinTheOldBlood''.
161	[[/folder]]
162
163	[[folder:Visual Novels]]
164	* The German-born Manfred von Karma of the ''Franchise/AceAttorney'' series, a ruthless AmoralAttorney (a prosecutor, in this case). His daughter, Franziska von Karma (whose name means "free of bad karma"), has less of the evil, but certainly the name seems to fit the stern IceQueen with a WhipOfDominance, that she tends to use on anyone who displeases her.
165	* Eleonore von Wittenburg from ''VisualNovel/DiesIrae'' is a descendant from German nobility and is quite a nasty piece of work. Extremely fierce and a heavy [[TheFundamentalist fundamentalist]] and loyal to the BigBad. She also acts as a counter to her opposite Beatrice.
166	* ''VisualNovel/KissesAndCurses'' The Reylanders have "von" before their surname, as they are a powerful BlueBlood family of witches known for being [[AristocratsAreEvil power-hungry and immoral]].
167	[[/folder]]
168
169	[[folder:Webcomics]]
170	* ''Webcomic/GirlGenius'':
171	** Von Pinn. First encountered as a nanny to the children on Castle Wulfenbach, then later revealed to be an ancient construct created specifically to protect the Heterodyne heirs and "keep them safe". She's TheBaroness to anyone who threatens her charges.
172	** Martellus von Blitzengaard ("Tweedle") and his sister Xerxsephnia von Blitzengaard ("Seffie"). No matter how much they try to present themselves as more "[[LightIsNotGood Lighter]] von Trope", in truth the Blitzengaards are one branch of an extended family full of Machiavellian schemers.
173	** The Wulfenbach family never uses "von" in canon, but a lot of fans seem to use it for them outside the comic, largely due to the existence of this trope. The fact that they ''don't'' use it is likely related to the contempt the Baron has for the nobility's "rules". [[note]] The Wulfenbachs were a low-ranking family, and The Baron was, technically, ineligible to inherit the title according to those rules.[[/note]]
174	* ''Webcomic/StringTheory2009'': Orville von Schtein was smuggled out of East Germany to work as a geneticist for the American government, including a secret {{genetic engineering\|IsTheNewNuke}} project that gave SuperIntelligence and PsychicPowers to his grandson. When things went south, he released a fungal bioweapon on Chicago and now squats in its zombie-infested ruin as a somewhat-undead MadDoctor. His descendants kept the surname but dropped the "von".
175	* When creating a villain for ''[[Webcomic/{{Starslip}} Starslip Crisis]]'' Kris Straub stated he was trying to come up with the most evil-sounding name imaginable. A reader pointed out that "Archcount Obdrath Lucifuge" could benefit from this trope, Straub publicly announced "why didn't I think of that?", and the name was immediately changed ([[{{Retcon}} retroactively]] to Obdrath von Lucifuge's first appearance).
176	[[/folder]]
177
178	[[folder:Web Original]]
179	* Website/GaiaOnline's Von Helson family, an aristocratic family that happens to consist entirely of vampires. Vladmir (and later Zhivago) are both major antagonists throughout the storyline. The Von Helson were also villainous for a while, but have undergone some VillainDecay in recent years (lampshaded in a recent mini comic). Ian and Louie are subversions. Ian is a lovable goofball who runs a costume shop with his talking cat, and Louie is a nice guy who just happens to be King of the Vampires, [[IHateYouVampireDad hates his dad]], and works at the local Formalwear shop.
180	* WebVideo/CriticalRole has Percival Fredrickstein von Musel Klossowski de Rolo III, a nobleman who's family was murdered by the Briarwoods. He's an intelligent, snarky gunslinger and tinkerer. [[spoiler:He also, at least until episode 35, has a bad case of demonic possession, leading him to be increasingly brutal and merciless in his hunt for revenge.]]
181	[[/folder]]
182
183	[[folder:Web Video]]
184	* ''WebVideo/OverlordDVD'': starring Victor van Doomcock, future ruler of Earth
185	[[/folder]]
186
187	[[folder:Western Animation]]
188	* ''WesternAnimation/LooneyTunes'' cartoons:
189	** On two separate occasions, WesternAnimation/BugsBunny is pitted against WesternAnimation/YosemiteSam, who is an ally in an enemy cause, in which the latter is a German with the word "von" in his name, both of which sound fairly close to each other.
190	*** In ''Bunker Hill Bunny'', set during UsefulNotes/TheAmericanRevolution, Sam plays a Hessian (a German allied with the British) named Sam von Schmamm.
191	*** In ''WesternAnimation/DumbPatrol'', set during UsefulNotes/WorldWarI, Sam plays a German pilot named Baron Sam von Schpamm. It should be noted that Sam doesn't speak with a German accent, but just in his regular "cowboy" tone. The closest he comes are words like "dummkopf" and "schweinhund", and even then he mispronounces them. He also [[{{Angrish}} rants]] in [[AsLongAsItSoundsForeign gibberish that merely]] ''[[AsLongAsItSoundsForeign sounds]]'' [[AsLongAsItSoundsForeign like German]] when his initial attempt to stop Bugs in his plane results in him crashing into a mountain.
192	** Much earlier, there is also Von Vultur, the main antagonist in ''[[WartimeCartoon Daffy the Commando]]''.
193	[[/folder]]
194
195	%% Only real life intentional invocations with context are allowed; see Administrivia/LimitedRealLifeExamplesOnly. Otherwise, do not add real life examples.
196	----
197	!!Lighter Von Trope Examples:
198
199	[[folder:Anime and Manga]]
200	* The Ten Noble Families in the anime ''Literature/KyoKaraMaoh'' all have 'von' in their names even if the rest of the name isn't Germanic at all. ''Von'' Bielefeld, ''Von'' Wincott, etc. etc. This is probably because Shin Makoku was heavily European based.
201	* Oktavia von Seckendorff, [[spoiler:Sayaka's witch form,]] in ''Anime/PuellaMagiMadokaMagica''.
202	* Klaus Heinz von dem Eberbach in ''Manga/FromEroicaWithLove''.
203	* In the "Junk Car" episode of ''Anime/SpeedRacer'' dub, the race is held by a Baron Von Vondevon... who has a long-lost daughter Yvonne Von Vondevon.
204	* Estonia's human name in ''WebComic/HetaliaAxisPowers'' is Eduard von Bock. This was most likely done solely for the 'funny foreigner/eccentric scientist' angle, as in actuality it's not even Estonian.
205	* Drossel von Flügel, in ''Anime/{{Fireball}}''.
206	[[/folder]]
207
208	[[folder:Comic Books]]
209	* HerrDoktor Bombastus Johannes Theophrastus Almagestus Wernher [[Creator/MontyPython von Ulm]] from ''ComicBook/DeCapeEtDeCrocs''.
210	* A French translation of a ''ComicBook/DisneyDucksComicUniverse'' comic has Donald try to call a jeweler by the PunnyName of van der Grosspierr (The French pronunciation of "van" sounds like "sells", making his name "sells big gems").
211	* ''ComicStrip/{{Peanuts}}'' featured the Van Pelt siblings, Lucy, Linus and Rerun. (There's no evident relationship to Van Pelt from ''Film/{{Jumanji}}'', or Scott Van Pelt of Creator/{{ESPN}}.) ''Peanuts'' creator Charles Schulz was from Minnesota, a U.S. state that has always had large German-American and Dutch-American populations. So Linus and Lucy's last name is probably just meant to mark them as "typical Midwesterners."
212	* ''ComicBook/{{Ungrounded}}'': The family name of Mister Solenoid's girlfriend and her brother is Von Valiant.
213	[[/folder]]
214
215	[[folder:Fan Works]]
216	* Anya, Sinbad, and Jim are named "Von Barth" in ''WebAnimation/ToBelong''. This is especially odd because they're very poor. It's a sign that [[RichesToRags they come from a wealthy background]]. They were forced onto the streets after they were orphaned.
217	[[/folder]]
218
219	[[folder:Films -- Animation]]
220	* Victor Van Dort from ''WesternAnimation/CorpseBride''. He may possibly be Dutch.
221	* Vanellope Von Schweetz, a ''Sugar Rush'' would-be racer, from ''WesternAnimation/WreckItRalph''. [[spoiler:Doubles as {{Foreshadowing}}, as she's secretly the princess of that game's world.]]
222	[[/folder]]
223
224	[[folder:Films -- Live-Action]]
225	* In ''Film/YoungFrankenstein'', Frederick's great-grandfather (whose son Victor originally created the Creature) was named Baron Beaufort Von Frankenstein.
226	* Lily Von [[YiddishAsASecondLanguage Shtupp]], in ''Film/BlazingSaddles''.
227	* In ''Film/AKnightsTale'', William competes under the name of Sir Ulrich von Liechtenstein, which contrasts not a bit with his bearing.
228	* In ''Film/BackToTheFuturePartIII'', Doc Brown mentions that his ancestors before World War I were the von Brauns. [[TruthInTelevision When the USA entered WWI,]] anti-German sentiment led many families to change their names. Cities with a prominent German heritage like Cincinnati even renamed some of their streets and changed local landmarks.
229	* Eric Von Zipper, the comical BadassBiker character from the '60s ''Beach Party'' movies.
230	[[/folder]]
231
232	[[folder:Jokes]]
233	* Long ago, a man approaches a Hollywood agent wanting to break into show business. He can sing. He can dance. He tells jokes. He's fabulous! "Fantastic!" says the agent. "What's your name, kid?" "Penis Van Lesbian," replies the young talent. "That's a terrible name!" exclaims the agent. We'll have to change it. How about we call you, 'Dick Van Dyke'?"
234	[[/folder]]
235
236	[[folder:Literature]]
237	* Julis-Alexia von Riessfeld in ''Literature/TheAsteriskWar'' is European royalty: her homeland of Lieseltania is located in the real-life location of the western half of the Czech Republic, so it makes sense that she'd be an ethnic German and use the noble "von". Her surname literally means "rice field".
238	* As a RunningGag, many residents of Uberwald in ''Literature/{{Discworld}}'' have the Von as part of their names, including Moist von Lipwig, the werewolves Angua and Wolfgang von Uberwald, and vampire photographer Otto von Chriek. Justified in that these names are all denominators of origin, and at least one of these families is headed by a nobleman, the Baron Von Uberwald.
239	** {{Lampshade\|Hanging}}d in ''VideoGame/DiscworldNoir'', where the name "Count von Uberwald" ''isn't enough to identify someone'', except as "probably a vampire".
240	* Ralph von Wau Wau, a talking German Shepherd from Spider Robinson's ''Literature/CallahansCrosstimeSaloon'' stories. The character is originally from the works of Creator/PhilipJoseFarmer including "A Scarlet in Study" and "The Doge Whose Barque Was Worse Than His Bight".
241	* Evra Von from ''[[Literature/TheSagaofDarrenShan Cirque Du Freak]]''. He often corrects people that it's just Von.
242	* Literature/ErastFandorin's family name is a Russified version of "Von Dorn". Most of Boris Akunin's other novels feature characters who are [[TheVerse somehow connected to the same Von Dorn family]] and have names that are similarly descended from their name (Van Doren, De Dorn, Darnowski, etc.)
243	* The von Ulrichs, an [[JustifiedTrope aristocratic German]] family in Ken Follett's novel ''[[Literature/TheCenturyTrilogy Fall of Giants]]''. Although the story takes place during UsefulNotes/WorldWarI, Walter von Ulrich, being one of the main protagonists, is portrayed in a quite personable way. Walter (working at that point in time as diplomat in UsefulNotes/{{London}}) points out that the Brits always erroneously capitalize the ''von'', when sending him letters.
244	* Since the FlyingDutchman is supposed to be, well, a ''Dutch'' GhostShip, various versions of the legend use this trope when naming its captain. [[https://www.web-books.com/ON/B1/E1135R0833/English_SeaC7.html The first version of the story in English to give the Dutchman’s captain a name]] called him van der Decken.
245	** The [[Franchise/MarvelUniverse Marvel Comics]] version is called Joost van Straaten.
246	** In Film/PandoraAndTheFlyingDutchman, the captain’s name (at least the one he’s using in the 1930s) is Hendrik van der Zee.
247	* ''Literature/WagonsWest'':
248	** Baron Ernest "Ernie" von Thalman is an Austrian nobleman who was encouraged to join the original wagon train for the adventure of it by his friend, former president Andrew Jackson.
249	** Baroness Gisela von Kirchberg married into her name, and after her widowhood proceeded to accomplish the goal of becoming the richest woman in Europe.
250	[[/folder]]
251
252	[[folder:Live-Action TV]]
253	* Baron Von Butcher was the head of the evil organization C.H.U.M.P. on ''Series/LancelotLinkSecretChimp''.
254	* Nina Van Horn on ''Series/JustShootMe''. It's not her real name (that would be Claire Noodleman); her agent got the last name from a porn star in his building.
255	* ''Series/DoctorWho'': When The Doctor goes to Germany, he usually presents identification that says he is 'Doctor von Wer', literally, 'Doctor of Who'. And no, it makes no more sense in German than it would in English. Pretty much ''any'' native speaker would immediately notice and wonder if this was supposed to be some kind of joke. (Germany does feature two or three places called ''Wehr'' he could hypothetically claim to be from, but the word isn't particularly related to "wer" and so the pun wouldn't work quite so easily anymore except perhaps as a GeniusBonus.)
256	* Serena van der Woodsen in ''Literature/GossipGirl'', whose family runs a Dutch shipping company dating back to the 18th century.
257	* ''Series/TheTwoRonnies'' gave us Otto van Dancer. Pronounce the v with a German f and you get the joke.
258	* The protagonist of ''Series/VanDerValk'' is quite difficult to place in this list, as while the series spent a lot of time dealing with the less salubrious side of FreestateAmsterdam, Van der Valk himself was unambiguously LawfulGood.
259	* Grace Van Pelt on ''Series/TheMentalist''.
260	[[/folder]]
261
262	[[folder:Pro Wrestling]]
263	* Wrestling/RobVanDam got his name from wrestler Ron Slinker, because of his resemblance to actor Jean-Claude Van Damme.
264	* Wrestling/ChristinaVonEerie's name isn't meant to invoke a "foreign" theme (though it does to [[Wrestling/{{AAA}} many]] [[Wrestling/{{CMLL}} viewers]]), as she is billed from [[PartsUnknown "Spook City, USA."]]
265	* Incongruous would go some way to describing Leah Von Dutch, who does have aspirations, or possibly delusions of nobility, but has a long way to go to get there. And she's Canadian, so wrong nationality.
266	[[/folder]]
267
268	[[folder:Puppet Shows]]
269	* Count Von Count, ''Series/SesameStreet'''s numerically-obsessed vampire.
270	[[/folder]]
271
272	[[folder:Radio]]
273	* In ''Radio/TheJackBennyProgram'', Jack Benny's valet is Rochester Van Jones.
274	[[/folder]]
275
276	[[folder:Theater]]
277	* Velma Von Tussle from ''Theatre/{{Hairspray}}'' is a tv producer who opposes desegregation.
278	[[/folder]]
279
280	[[folder:Video Games]]
281	* Dietmar von Heinrichzimmerschneit from ''VideoGame/Borderlands2'' is a NatureDocumentary director who hires the Vault Hunters to carry out his tasks while he sits back and provides director's commentary as it happens. Most of his tasks are for his own personal gain or amusement. Also, that inverted SesquipedalianSmith name, isn't even his real name. [[OverlyLongName His real name is so long that you'd starve to death before you finished saying it]].
282	* Ebenezer von Clutch of ''[[VideoGame/CrashBandicoot Crash Tag Team Racing]]''.
283	* [[AlliterativeName Almaz Von Almadine Adamant]] from ''VideoGame/Disgaea3AbsenceOfJustice''.
284	* In the InteractiveFiction game ''Enlisted'', the player character's last name is Van Dussen.
285	* The [=VanSalad=] family from ''VideoGame/TheCurseOfMonkeyIsland'', who are described as even homelier than the [[ThemeNaming Goodsoups]]. Also, Reginald Van Winslow from ''VideoGame/TalesOfMonkeyIsland''.
286	* ''VideoGame/HeroU'': One of the teachers at the school is named "Master Von Urwald".
287	* The ''VideoGame/{{Skylanders}}'' franchise has Baron Von Shellshock, a talking crab with an inexplicable German accent.
288	* Germanic princess [[JeanneDArchetype Hildegard von Krone]] from the ''VideoGame/SoulSeries''.
289	* Edward Chris von Muir from ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyIV'', crown prince of Damcyan.
290	* Luke fon Fabre and his family from ''VideoGame/TalesOfTheAbyss''. His mother is Susanne, whose brother is the king of Kimlasca, while his father is Duke Fabre (his first name is unknown). This is one of the rare times this was used correctly.
291	* ''VideoGame/PinkPantherPassportToPeril'' has Von Schmarty, a GadgeteerGenius responsible for most of the inventions at camp Chilly Wa-Wa. He is however a friend of Pink and thus firmly on the side of the good guys.
292	* In ''VideoGame/FireEmblemThreeHouses'', the nobility of the Holy Roman Empire-esque Adrestian Empire all have a "von" between their given and family names - Edelgard von Hresvelg (daughter of Emperor Ionius IX), Ferdinand von Aegir (son of Duke Aegir), Bernadetta von Varley (daughter of Count Varley), etc. Some noble houses from the Leicester Alliance also follow this trope, including its most prominent one, House Riegan (whose heir is Claude von Riegan).
293	* ''VideoGame/Wizard101'': Combined with AlliterativeName, the Arcanum Scholar for [[CastingAShadow Shadow Magic]] is named Velma ''von'' Venkman. Despite Shadow Magic being universally considered dark and corrupting, Velma is very much a NiceGirl who embodies BadPowersGoodPeople and deserves to be in the Lighter Von Trope section.
294	* ''VideoGame/RetroCityRampage'''s BigBad is Dr. Von Buttnick, who is also a parody of [[Franchise/SonicTheHedgehog Dr. Robotnik]].
295	[[/folder]]
296
297	[[folder:Visual Novels]]
298	* Ilyasviel von Einzbern in ''VisualNovel/FateStayNight'' starts off as a villain but turns out to be slightly nicer than she looks. The rest of her family, however, may qualify...
299	* Beatrice Waltrud von Kirscheisen from ''VisualNovel/DiesIrae'' who, despite being born and raised during the time of Nazi Germany and being decedent from German nobility, is an unfailingly good and idealistic woman. Even after her experiences with the Gestapo and Longinus Dreizehn Orden causes her to become [[KnightInSourArmor somewhat more ruthless]] she remains [[TokenGoodTeammate strictly on the heroes side]]. She also serves as a foil on this trope to her superior, the much more [[TheFundamentalist fundamentalist]] Eleonore.
300	[[/folder]]
301
302	[[folder:Webcomics]]
303	* The title character of the webcomic ''Webcomic/VanVonHunter''.
304	* Joey Von Krause from [[https://web.archive.org/web/20191127233758/http://mortifer.smackjeeves.com/ Mortifer.]] [[spoiler:Except it turns out not to be his real name...]]
305	* Despite his [[NamesToRunAwayFromReallyFast scary name]], Moloch Von Zinzer from ''Webcomic/GirlGenius'' is a pretty normal guy.
306	** His first name is Biblical, referring to a deity with links to child sacrifice. Apparently his mother [[http://www.girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php?date=20120817#.VvHLdOKLTIU wasn't very literary]] and just picked it out the Bible. There hasn't been an explanation for his apparent noble roots, though.
307	** There's also been a [[http://www.girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php?date=20140411#.VvHMFeKLTIU brief appearance]] [[spoiler:before Martellus shot him in the face, anyway,]] from a [[SuperSoldier Jaeger]] named Rerich, with the original last name of Von Billeguether. Perhaps a noble house that ended up under the rule of the Heterodynes?
308	[[/folder]]
309
310	[[folder:Western Animation]]
311	* Professor Dinglehopper Von Schlemer, from ''WesternAnimation/AdventuresOfSonicTheHedgehog''.
312	* In ''WesternAnimation/TheAdventuresOfSuperMarioBros3'', the character Kooky von Koopa is based off the game character Ludwig von Koopa, and both use this trope. Interestingly, the characters were named independently of one another.
313	* Dr. Otto von Scratchansniff from ''WesternAnimation/{{Animaniacs}}''
314	* The German villain Heinrich ([[spoiler:formerly [[GenderBender Henrietta]]]]) von Marzipan from ''WesternAnimation/CodenameKidsNextDoor'' starts out as the Dark type of this trope, but becomes Light after [[spoiler: her HeelFaceTurn]].
315	* In the 2015 ''WesternAnimation/DangerMouse'' reboot, [[BigBad Baron Silas Greenback]] has the "Von" added to his surname.
316	* Ludwig Von Drake, WesternAnimation/DonaldDuck's uncle, and a goofy MadScientist. In German he becomes Primus von Quack.
317	** Scrooge [=McDuck=] is known in Danish as Joakim von And and in Swedish as Joakim von Anka, both meaning Joakim von Duck. We guess the translators weren't fluent in German, because it means that he is a duck from Duck. Hm... but then, "[=McDuck=]" would mean "son of Duck", so his original name isn't that much better.
318	* [[TheAhnold Jorgen Von Strangle]], in ''WesternAnimation/TheFairlyOddParents''.
319	* Velvet von Black from ''WesternAnimation/TheHauntedWorldofElSuperbeasto'', though it's unclear whether or not this is a stagename being that she's a stripper and all.
320	* Dr. Ludwig von Scientist from ''WesternAnimation/JimmyTwoShoes''.
321	* Several characters from ''Toys/MonsterHigh'': Spectra Vondergeist (German), Serena von Boo (German) and van Hellscream (a parody of the Dutch vampire slayer van Helsing), as well as his niece, who appears in Ghouls Rule.
322	* The friendly-bully on ''WesternAnimation/PhineasAndFerb'' is named Buford Van Stomm.
323	* ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'' has Melvin Van Horne, or Sideshow Mel, and Milhouse Van Houten.
324	* In ''WesternAnimation/TinyToonAdventures'', when Babs and Buster Bunny are posing as OldMoney types, they use the surname "Vanderbunny".
325	* Two characters in ''WesternAnimation/{{Trollz}}'': Amethyst van der Troll (clearly a play on the Dutch name van der Meer, which makes her Dutch) and Onyx von Trollenberg, who is most likely from Germany or Austria.
326	[[/folder]]
327
328	[[folder:Real Life]]
329	%% Only real life intentional invocations with context are allowed; see Administrivia/LimitedRealLifeExamplesOnly. Otherwise, do not add real life examples.
330	* Creator/ErichVonStroheim, the "Man You LoveToHate" is the TropeMaker and TropeCodifier. He made a name for himself in the early 20th Century playing Prussian villains with a talent for sadism and the riding crop, and posed as a real-life aristocratic in exile in Hollywood. In actual fact, as Creator/OrsonWelles pointed out, Stroheim was born to a poor Jewish family, his father was a haberdasher and the Stroheims are not listed in the Almanac von Gotha (which is the list of aristocratic families). Stroheim willingly added "von" to his surname to make himself into a fake aristocrat. Indeed, Creator/JeanRenoir, the French director who directed him in ''Film/TheGrandIllusion'' noted that Stroheim spoke very bad German but somehow to American years passed himself off as the real thing.
331	* Creator/JosefVonSternberg was originally Josef Sternberg and like Stroheim born to a Jewish family and needless to say had little hope in actually being the aristocrat he wanted to pass himself off as. But likewise, found it expedient to put on the Prussian-shtick in America.
332	* Creator/LarsVonTrier. The "von" part was a nickname he got in film school. He ultimately decided to keep the nickname to pay homage to Erich von Stroheim and Josef von Sternberg, who also added their "von" later in life.
333	* Music/LudwigVanBeethoven's name came from his Dutch ancestry, with a "van" as above which denoted his ancestors were farmers.[[note]]The name "Beethoven" itself literally translates to "beet fields."[[/note]] But living in Vienna he intentionally used the confusion with "von" to his advantage, letting people assume he was related to nobility. Eventually the truth came out in court during a custody dispute over his nephew. Beethoven was unable to demonstrate that he had any noble connections, meaning that his case could not be tried in the aristocratic Landrechte court, and got bumped down to the Vienna Magistrate, the court for commoners.
334	* UsefulNotes/MartinVanBuren, the 8th [[UsefulNotes/ThePresidents president]] of the UsefulNotes/UnitedStates.
335	[[/folder]]

Context Main / TheVonTropeFamily