Løvenskiold family


Løvenskiold is a Dano-Norwegian noble family of German origin. Members of the family now live primarily in Norway. Originally named Leopoldus, it was one of the first patrician Norwegian families to buy noble status, in 1739, when it was also granted the surname Løvenskiold.

History

The Løvenskiold family descend from merchant Herman Leopoldus, who immigrated from Lübeck to Christiania. His son, also named Herman Leopoldus, became quite wealthy. Both he and his son, Herman Løvenskiold, were ennobled by letters patent in 1739, by paying the King's private fund. At the same time, they received the surname Løvenskiold. His grandson was Chamberlain Herman Leopoldus Løvenskiold. His great-grandson Severin Løvenskiold was made a baron. He was the father of Severin Løvenskiold who served as Prime Minister of Norway.

Property

Members of the family have owned a number of historic homes in Denmark and Norway including Løvenborg Castle at Merløse in Holbæk, Holden Manor at Ulefoss in Telemark and Fossum Manor at Fossum Ironworks in Skien.
Other family estates included Vækerø Manor west of Bærums Verk in Bærum and the Ask estate in Ringerike.
The name is also given to the family's privately owned company Løvenskiold-Vækerø, headquartered at Ullern. The holding company owns vast tracts of woodland in and around Oslo, Akershus, Oppland, Buskerud and Telemark, as well as the building materials retail chain Maxbo.

Coats of arms

Notable family members

See :Category:Løvenskiold family.

Literature