Württemberg Nobility

As everywhere in Europe, the German laws protecting names connected to nobility stem from Salian laws. Nobility and name are only inherited through marriage via the male line. Females of non-nobility can inherit a nobility name by marrying a man who can demonstrate nobility. If she remarries she cannot transfer a name signifying her connection to nobility to a husband who is of non-nobility or their subsequent children. Non-nobility gentlemen do not gain the nobility name by marrying a lady of noble descent. Adoptions do not automatically allow one to carry the name of nobility.