The Reventlow family is a Holstein and Mecklenburg Dano-German noble family, which belongs to the Schleswig-Holstein. Alternate spellings include Revetlo, Reventlo, Reventlau, Reventlou, Reventlow, Refendtlof and Reffentloff.
In 1223, Godescalcus de Revetlo of Holstein was first mentioned in writing. He was vassal of Count . In 1236 and 1258, Thitlevus de Revetlow was in Mecklenburg in the wake of the Prince Johann I. In both countries, members of the family were able to gain significant professional and economic positions over time.
The old Holstein line, also found from the 14th to the 16th century in Funen, ended in 1752. With the extinction of the Gallentiner branch in 1772, the Mecklenburg branch also ended. Relatives from this branch, however, had previously settled in the Duchy of Schleswig. From Ziesendorf (in Mecklenburg) came , who was appointed chancellor of Christian IV of Denmark in 1632. He was progenitor of two new branches, both of which came to great influence.
The older branch acquired the in 1767.
The younger branch had acquired by 1673 the Danish Graf and on July 23, 1706, to Vienna the Count of the Holy Roman Empire. Conrad von Reventlow (1644âÂÂ1708), Grand Chancellor and Prime Minister of Christian V of Denmark, received the higher feudal rank and was awarded the Liege County of Reventlou - Sandbjerg in Schleswig. His son acquired the feudal county Christianssæde on Lolland and the feudal barony Brahetrolleborg on Funen.
The younger daughter of Conrad von Reventlow, Anna Sophie von Reventlow (1693âÂÂ1743), became in 1712 consort of King Frederick IV of Denmark and Duchess of Schleswig. In 1721 she was crowned Queen of Denmark. Other Reventlows were related by marriage to the Dukes of Holstein. The Reventlow family counts important personalities of the European aristocracy, including the last German empress Auguste Victoria.
(1712âÂÂ1783), heir of the and Glasau estates, bought in 1764, from Detlef von Reventlow Gut Wittenberg in 1767, and the Altenhof neighboring Gut Aschau in 1782.
The Counts of Reventlow-Criminil with a Danish diploma of 1815 belonged in the male line to the French Marquis Le Merchier de Criminil. and were the sons of a niece of Julia von Reventlow who she and her husband adopted. Joseph inherited the in 1828; his descendants sold it in 1929.
Estates currently owned by members of the Reventlow family in Denmark include Rudbjerggaard (since 1891) and Sæbyholm (since 1801). Former estates of the Reventlow family in Denmark include Christianssæde (17281934), Pederstrup (17252009) abd Sandbjerg (16731930).
A lot of churches has also belonged to members of the family. These include Horslunde Church. Town mansions of the Reventlow family in Denmark include Amaliegade 12.
In addition to the Schleswig-Holstein and Mecklenburgian possession, estates which were temporarily in the possession of the Reventlow included (around 1350), (15th century), (1592âÂÂ1662), (in the 17th century, from 1625), (1691âÂÂ1960, inherited from the family of Bethmann-Hollweg) with Wittenberg and (1840âÂÂ1960), Quarnbek and Schmoel (around 1700), Hohenfelde with Kollmar (around 1700âÂÂ1739), (1728âÂÂ1740), (1764âÂÂ1929), ( 1780âÂÂ1910), (1790âÂÂ1848), (18th century), and (19th century to 1926).
In Schleswig-Holstein the family is still based in (since the end of the 16th century), Gut Wittenberg (since 1584), (at Tüttendorf, since 1903) and (since 1972).
In Denmark, was taken over or built by the Reventlow around 1470 and remained in the family until 1664. In 1673, Prime Minister Conrad Reventlow acquired the Sandbjerg Castle (1673âÂÂ1930 owned by the family) with Gut BallegÃÂ¥rd and built Clausholm Castle (owned 1690âÂÂ1743). His son Christian Detlev of Reventlow acquired Brahetrolleborg on Funen (1722âÂÂ1960), on Lolland (1725âÂÂ1935) and Christianssæde on Laaland (1728âÂÂ1934). His son Conrad Detlev Reventlow (1704âÂÂ1750) married Wilhelmine Auguste, the sister of the Duke . In 1739 he acquired the Krenkerup Castle at Radsted Sogn with NørregÃÂ¥rd and Rosenlund (1739âÂÂ1793). In 1900, the estate AgerupgÃÂ¥rd in came to the Counts Reventlow, who are still there.
Commoner descendants in the female line with the name Reventlow (no title of nobility) are the families Reventlow-Mourier on Brahetrolleborg and Reventlow Grinling on Krenkerup, as well as some descendants in the line in Sweden.
The arms of the family is divided in the of silver over red. It has red and silver mantling, and its crest features a golden ring mounted on a red rod surrounded with feathers.
Elements and colours from the coat of arms of the family Reventlow appear today in some Schleswig-Holstein municipal coat of arms.