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My Search for the Past

Martin Luther – Yes, THAT Martin Luther – 52 Ancestors #13

Posted on April 1, 2014May 2, 2020 by Cheryl Biermann Hartley

Entry #13

lutheroseThis is where the genealogy bug originated for me. No, I am not saying that Martin Luther, the Reformer, was a great family historian. I am sure that he was far too consumed with thinking about the Church and God, and igniting the Protestant Reformation in Germany, to be a genealogist. What I am saying is that from the time I was very small, I knew that I was descended from Martin Luther on my maternal grandfather’s side of the family. Martin Luther and Catherine Von Bora were my eleven times great-grandparents. Unlike a lot of family fables, this was a credible claim. I was a child who was always brimming with questions. How did we know this, I asked my mother? “Well,” replied mom, “Grandpa Lindner has a book. It belonged to Uncle Gus. Uncle Gus was a member of some kind of a society of Luther descendants.” Mom also stated that she thought the Society came to an end after World War II. “The next time we go to Cincinnati to see Grandpa,” she added, “you should ask him to see the book.”

I am not sure how old I was when Grandpa (Richard Max Otto Lindner, born in Dresden, Germany, in 1890) first brought out the book for my inspection. It was, of course, in German – in that fancy script that for me seemed to bestow an extra air of importance. Grandpa opened directly to the page where our family appeared and showed me the entry for his grandfather, Emil Heinrich Max Lindner, born in Sondershausen on 11 April 1831. There was also a supplement from 1936 with an update to our family that included my mother and my aunt. Oh, and there was an enormous chart that went with the book! Grandpa and I would unfold it, spread it out on the floor, and marvel at the number of descendants Martin Luther and Katharine Von Bora had spawned. As I grew older, the family visits to Cincinnati dwindled to once a year, but every time I stayed at my grandparents’ home it was our special ritual to pull out the Luther genealogy. Grandpa would translate our part of the book – it was like reading the Bible – one begat after another with strange German place names and the occupations of ancestors interspersed. One time I took notes on a lined steno pad – I recorded our direct lineage and held on to it for years.

Otto-Sartoriusn-Book-2
Die Nachkommenschaft D. Martin Luthers

(My grandpa was notorious for writing in the books he owned.)

On 28 November 1988, Grandpa Lindner passed away at the age of 98. When I next saw my mother, she presented me with the book. The proper title is Die Nachkommenschaft D. Martin Luthers in vier Jahrhunderten. Nebst Anhang über Nachkommen seiner Seitenverwandten und vieler anderer Luther, by Otto Sartorius, published in Göttingen in 1926. My grandfather had left instructions that the book be passed down to me.

logo_headWhen the Internet began to blossom, I decided to look for information on the Luther Association. It had not ended with World War II as my mother supposed. I found a website and made contact with the Lutheriden Vereinigung. After a few e-mails back and forth, the Association confirmed my lineage. Although I am not an expert on Martin Luther, he does have a fascinating story. He supposedly made a pledge to enter the monastery if God would spare him when he was caught in a frightful thunderstorm. Eventually, Luther spoke out against the abuses of the Roman Catholic Church, was excommunicated, and married Katherine von Bora, an ex-nun. At first Luther was reluctant to marry, but I understand he treasured his “Katie.” They had six children together: Hans (7 June 1526); Elizabeth (10 December 1527); Magdalene (4 May 1529); Martin (9 November 1531); Paul (29 January 1533); and Margaret (17 December 1534). I am descended from Paul. Supposedly, the male lines died out, so there are no living descendants of Martin who bear the named Luther, although some Luthers may descend from his uncle or brother. There are some people who hold the opinion that the male line did survive, but I believe it is still unproven.

Update! May 2, 2020

Jamie, a reader, said that he/she is related to Martin Luther through the male line.  I thought I should do some research before replying.  I found new information indicating that a male line has been proven and accepted by the Luther Association.  I quote from Wiki-Tree taken from the entry for

Bernhard Marianus (Conrad) Luther
Born 28 Feb 1754 in Erfurt, Thuringia, Electorate of Mainzmap

ANCESTORS ancestors

Son of Johann Melchior Luther and Margarethe Maria Wagner
[sibling(s) unknown]
Husband of Elizabeth (Bard) Luther — married 10 Dec 1789 in First Reformed Church, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, USAmap

DESCENDANTS descendants

Father of John W Luther and William Luther
Died 4 Mar 1823 in Carroll, Cambria county, Pennsylvania, USA

“New information from Germany, 2019: Dear Mrs. Lilly Martin Sahiounie.

As genealogist of the International “Lutheriden-Vereinigung e.V.” our president Christian Priesmeier asked me to answer your inquiry (see copy below).

First of all, thank you for your kind letter with some more information on the fate of soldier Conrad Luther!

Indeed, after checking all available information we can affirm your direct descent from the Great Reformator Dr. Martin Luther (DML) via his son “Dr. Johannes Luther 1526-1575”, whose great-grandson “Simon Luther 1646-1677” was teacher at the Barfüerschule in Erfurt: His great-grandson is your ancestor CONRAD LUTHER, who came to New York 1776 as Hessian soldier and whose complete given name is

“Bernhard Marianus Conrad Luther” 1754–1823 Geburt 28.02.1754 • Erfurt, Thüringen Tod 04.03.1823 • Carolltown, Cambria, Pennsylvania, USA

With kind regards, Yours sincerely Prof. Wolfgang Alt 2019″

Here is the link to this information:  Bernhard Marianus Luther

I am delighted to receive new verifiable information.  There is so much more access to information in this era and genealogical research is one area that has benefited from the Internet and collaborative efforts. In my earlier version of this post, I stated that there wasn’t much new research that could be done on Martin Luther.  Obviously, I was mistaken!

Portrait of Martin Luther by Lucas Cranach
Portrait of Martin Luther by Lucas Cranach

Additional resources for researching a family connection to Martin Luther:

http://www.litzigerlay.de/helmert/luther/luther_stammtafel.h….

Stammbaum der Familie des Dr. Martin Luther zur dritten Secularfeier seines

Die Lutherstiftung zu Leipzig vom 18. Februar 1847 bis zum 18. Februar 1856

2017 marks the 500th anniversary of the Reformation.  Read about it here.

Please report broken links through a comment. Thank you.

73 thoughts on “Martin Luther – Yes, THAT Martin Luther – 52 Ancestors #13”

  1. Pingback: 52 Ancestors Challenge: Week 14 Recap | No Story Too Small
    1. Randall Munson says:
      September 22, 2021 at 11:36 pm

      My grandmother’s line is related to Martin Luther’s great uncle.

      Reply
  2. Sally says:
    April 10, 2014 at 9:32 pm

    This is absolutely fabulous! Thank you for sharing such a great legacy!

    Reply
  3. Karen Bruynell says:
    April 11, 2014 at 8:32 am

    Hi, how cool to be related to some like Martin Luther! You sound like me as a young child. I could sit with Nana for hours listening to her tell stories of her youth and of her family. Thanks for sharing! Karen (gettingtoknowyou1.blogspot.com)

    Reply
  4. Pingback: Hans Luder (Luther) – An Ancestor with a Drive to Succeed – 52 Ancestors 2015 # 42 | My Search for the Past
  5. S. Pley says:
    March 19, 2016 at 7:45 pm

    Hi, Martin Luther is my 14th Grandfather 🙂

    Reply
    1. Cheryl Biermann Hartley says:
      March 21, 2016 at 11:28 am

      And, that makes us cousins! How are you related?

      Reply
      1. S. Pley says:
        April 23, 2016 at 6:28 pm

        Yes we are, I am related through my mother’s side, I just recently found out while doing family research on my birth family.

        Reply
        1. Lisa says:
          October 2, 2017 at 1:08 pm

          Hello! I just found out I am Luther’s great x 11 granddaughter, too, also while researching my birth family! I think we need to start a club! I am related through Paul Luther, and his descendants in my maternal grandmother’s line had last names like Propst, Waggy, and Moyers, They seem to have come to America in the 1730s, settled in Pendleton County, WV, a little later, and stayed there until this last generation. Does this overlap your research on your family? Curious to see where our families branched apart!

          Reply
          1. Jamie says:
            August 2, 2020 at 10:24 pm

            I am a Propst and Waggy descendant, too. What sources show that Martin Luther is our ancestor?

          2. Lisa M Scheuplein says:
            December 30, 2021 at 10:46 am

            Are your Propsts via Switzerland?

          3. Lisa M Scheuplein says:
            December 30, 2021 at 11:08 am

            My husband is descended from a Fred Probst from West Virginia born 1863. Is it the Probst line that is related to Martin Luther?

        2. Mechelle M Yost says:
          October 18, 2021 at 1:04 am

          Me too! I’m his great (x13) granddaughter.

          Reply
          1. Alex Daniel Muange says:
            October 3, 2025 at 1:23 pm

            Thank so much for this information today how was just thinking how come Martin Luther King Jr was black, and the portrait of Martin Luther reformist and God’s general was white. Their I started asking the internet and Ai this intriguing question till I came to your article thank so much.

      2. Ingo Haase says:
        May 20, 2016 at 5:59 am

        Hallo aus Deutschland,ich ,Ingo Haase ,bin ebenfalls mit luther verwandt und ein Nachfahre von Paul. Meine Großeltern sind Else (geb.Hache) und Carl Hüffner.Kenne Kurt Lindner noch persönlich wenn er aus Schweden zu uns auf Besuch kam.Onkel Otto schickte mir als Junge oft Postkarten,welche ich an meine Pinwand klammerte.würde mich über Kontakt freuen.Liebe Grüße Ingo Haase ( anuti1104@yandex.com )

        Reply
      3. s.kitchend says:
        September 25, 2016 at 8:58 pm

        my dad just told me his grand grandmother is a straight descends and when her mother died he meet the Luther family B3

        Reply
      4. Patricia Jorgensen says:
        November 26, 2020 at 7:40 pm

        Finding B.M.Conrad Luther, son Christian C., son John S. , son George W., son Edward G. , son George C., son George D.., and me daughter Patricia Luther Jorgensen.

        Reply
        1. Patricia Jorgensen says:
          October 22, 2024 at 12:10 am

          Hi Jamie,
          I am a decendent of Conrad. His son Christopher, his son
          John Sylvester and his son George William who moved to
          Nebraska. My great grandfather Edward G., his son my grandfather
          George C. And my dad George D. Luther

          Reply
    2. Janelle says:
      January 30, 2019 at 10:57 pm

      Martin Luther is also my 14th great grandfather through his son Paul. 😊

      Reply
  6. Sarah says:
    April 23, 2016 at 5:09 pm

    Yes it does, I am related through my mother’s side of the family. I just found this information out recently while doing family research on my birth family.

    Reply
  7. Beth Heiney says:
    August 18, 2016 at 7:12 am

    I found your article very interesting! We are long time Lutherans, and in doing my husband’s genealogy I have found some Luthers. I started looking of course to see if there was a connection, but haven’t found much that goes beyond this grandchildren. When you state that the male lines died out I have to assume we would NOT be directly related, but is there a way to find out if there is a connection? Have you found any other resources?

    Reply
    1. Cheryl Biermann Hartley says:
      August 24, 2016 at 10:51 pm

      Beth,
      Thanks for reading my post. There are from what I understand at least seven distinct Luther lines in the United States. There is a Luther surname DNA project and you can read about the various lines here. I know that Martin Luther’s brother and uncle also have living descendants, but I don’t know if any carry the Luther surname. I hope this helps. If you would like assistance researching any specific Luther relative, I am always happy to help if I can as a random act of genealogical kindness.

      Reply
      1. Robert Luther Jr. says:
        November 4, 2017 at 1:21 am

        Hello Ms. Hartley,
        I was interested to see your comment that there are at least 7 distinct Luther lines in the U.S. I am from a very small line that arrived in the US in 1891 from the German state of Thuringen. That was my Great Grandfather , Albert Luther ,who arrived with his wife Emma Schrader. Since Martin Luther lived in that area during his time I often wondered if there could be a family connection to him or another member of his family. My brother and I as well as my 2 sons are the only Luthers that remain from that line , at least in the US. I would appreciate any suggestions you may have which might help me follow the line back to Germany. My son, Kurt , has had his DNA sampled through perhaps Ancestry.com. Would that be of any use in the Project? Thank you.
        Regards,
        Bob Luther Jr.

        Reply
        1. Cheryl Biermann Hartley says:
          December 5, 2017 at 9:05 pm

          Bob,

          Sorry for the delay in responding. Apparently, I am no longer getting notifications when people leave a comment.

          As you probably know, Martin Luther is not supposed to have any male descendants that carry the surname Luther. He did have brother(s) and uncle(s) with living descendents.

          Autosomal DNA (which is the only test now offered by Ancestry) is not useful past about generations and cannot solve the Luther question. It just can’t go back far enough. Y-DNA, which is passed along a straight male line is offered in several places. Ancestry quit doing Y-DNA tests a few years ago.

          There is a Luther surname project at Family Tree DNA, but I don’t think that anyone has connected to the Reformer’s family. Here is a desceription of the project: https://www.familytreedna.com/groups/luther/about/background
          Click on the hotlink “DNA Results” on the left to see the participants of the project.

          You should be able to submit DNA from other testing companies, but it is simple to participate if the test was done at Family Tree DNA.

          I hope this helps!

          Cheryl

          Reply
          1. Robert Luther Jr. says:
            December 5, 2017 at 9:31 pm

            Hello Cheryl,

            I appreciate your response to my email and I will explore the lead that you have sent . I certainly will get back to you with any information which may be revealed in your area of interest. Have a very Merry Christmas Season!
            Best Regards,
            Bob

  8. Jakeb says:
    August 28, 2016 at 1:19 pm

    Hi, My grandpa has been saying for years how we are descendants of Martin Luther. I put together a ancestry a couple of years ago and found that it does in-fact go back to Martin Luther and Katherine Von Bora. My Grandpas surname is Dittmar, we both live here in the United States.

    Reply
    1. Cheryl Biermann Hartley says:
      December 5, 2016 at 7:59 pm

      Jakeb,

      Do you have a family tree online that I could see? I’d be interested in where the connection is.

      Cheryl

      Reply
      1. Jakeb says:
        September 7, 2021 at 10:50 pm

        It’s been years since I found this site. I didn’t realize that I received a reply. I have a link to my family tree that should be public if you have an ancestry account. The link is https://www.ancestry.com/family-tree/pt/RSVP.aspx?dat=MzIzMDEwNDM7OzAwMzZjYzM2LTAwMDYtMDAwMC0wMDAwLTAwMDAwMDAwMDAwMDsyMDIxMDkwNzIwNDYyMTszMjc2OQ==&mac=hVMkO5i4aIteGyQ0gtms8g==

        Reply
        1. Jakeb says:
          September 7, 2021 at 11:33 pm

          If that does not work, the last Luther surname in my tree is Susanne Luther (1696-1755) daughter of Hans Georg Luther and Anna Christine Linss. According to my tree she married Johann K Kallenbach. They had a son named Johann Kallenbach who married a Gertrude Melchior. Johann and Gertrude had a daughter named Margarette Kallenbach who married a Erasmus Dittmar. That’s where the Dittmar side of my family connected. I’ve thought about doing the DNA test to see if it could find any connection to others who may have Luther in their family trees.

          Reply
  9. Michelle van Kooten says:
    April 11, 2017 at 5:40 pm

    Hello, I happened across your site in my lifelong journey toward healing, truth, and home. Just want you to know that when I clicked on the “http://www.litzigerlay…….” link, I was directed to a message which said the page does not exist any more.

    Reply
    1. Cheryl Biermann Hartley says:
      April 11, 2017 at 11:07 pm

      Thank you. I will see if I can find a new source.

      Reply
  10. Michelle van Kooten says:
    April 11, 2017 at 6:08 pm

    ….and I had no idea until just now, that this year marks the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. My upbringing was mostly anti-church although I began attending later in life, but for some time now I’ve had the inexplicable desire to find a bible from that era and that area. An original Geneva bible, with handwritings throughout. (Bless your grandpa Lindner) In search of that end, my internet meanderings lead me through here. My ancestors must be pushy as well as noisy.

    Reply
  11. Gretchen Huggins says:
    April 16, 2017 at 4:35 pm

    Hello,
    My grandmother has a family tree that was handwritten by a now deceased cousin of hers in the 1980’s. At the top of one line there is a gap of several generations and then the name Martin Luther. There’s always been a rumor that we are descendants (and goodness knows I have the characteristic personality, ha-ha). I’ve spent hours on Ancestry.com and the internet but can’t get farther back than Lawrence VanHorne (~1756-~1830) who was the son of John and was born on board the ship “Snow Chance” that was bound for Philadelphia, PA. I can provide more details on the line.
    Any input or advice on where else to look for information? My grandmother is now 92 and I would love to solve the mystery for her!
    Thank you!

    Reply
    1. Cheryl Biermann Hartley says:
      April 17, 2017 at 10:07 pm

      Hi, Gretchen. Do you have an online tree on Ancestry or somewhere else that I can look at? I don’t know if I can help or not. My book isn’t indexed, so I may or may not be able to find anything for you.

      Reply
      1. Gretchen Huggins says:
        April 18, 2017 at 1:53 pm

        Yes, my tree is GretchenFHuggins. It’s just a draft where I haven’t validated much of the information yet. I just add what other members have and hope that one day I can have the time to verify it all. Thanks!

        Reply
        1. Arthur Ticknor says:
          January 7, 2020 at 2:52 pm

          Gretchen, did you ever manage to follow Lawrence van Horne back any further? I am descended from a German noblewoman named Cathrine von Horne (abt 1640 – after 1690) who is said to have been a descendant of Martin Luther. I can’t follow her back any further. We are probably related. I hope somebody comes out with a genealogy of Martin Luther’s family soon.

          Reply
  12. Gayle says:
    November 27, 2017 at 9:08 pm

    I just figured out that I am a descendant of THAT Martin Luther! Double-, triple-, and quadruple-checked it and it keeps coming out that he is my 14th Great Grandfather!!! This is incredible to say the least!!!

    Reply
  13. Martha says:
    July 21, 2018 at 9:17 pm

    Hello,
    One of the family lines in my genealogy is that of Henckel. One Georg Henckel married Anna Eulalia Dentzer, daughter of Othmar and Louisa (Wagner) Dentzer. Louisa’s father is Rev. Ludwig Wagner born about 1572.
    There is talk on the Henckel family site that Louisa is a distant relative of Martin Luther, but no proof of it.I am curious if any of these names are familiar to you.
    Anthony Jacob Henckel,.1668) married Maria Elizabeth Dentzer.
    Thank you

    Reply
    1. Cheryl Biermann Hartley says:
      July 22, 2018 at 7:56 pm

      Martha,
      None of these names appear in the book that I have by Otto Sartorious. It is hard to know what they mean by a “distant relative” of Martin Luther. I read through the gen Wiki for Rev. Ludwig Wagner and I don’t see any mention of a relationship to Luther. Can you post a link to the claim you saw?
      Best,
      Cheryl

      Reply
      1. Martha says:
        July 23, 2018 at 8:28 am

        Dear folks. My sister just sent me the family tree that leads from Martin Luther to her husband. So it is true that you Heckels are descended from Martin Luther. The Luther lineage passes through Louisa (Wagner) Dentzer, who would have been the grandmother of Anthony Henckel, if my information is correct. May I add these words from the “Christian Cyclopedia?” “This family, which gave a large number of pastors and educators to Am. Lutheranism, descended from Anthony Jacob Henkel (Henckel; formerly known as Gerhard, Gerhardt, or Gerhart), perhaps a descendant of the Henckel von Donnersmarck family. A Johann Henkel was chaplain to Mary* of Hung., who selected him on recommendation of M. Luther* ca. 1526; he was present with Mary at the Diet of Augsburg 1530 (see Lutheran Confessions, A). Count Erdman Henkel, a pious Luth., was a benefactor of the Halle institution of A. H. Francke*; helped H. M. Mühlenberg,* who is said to have been a blood relative of the Henkels.”

        This was posted on Henckelfamilyassociation.com site. The person who posted this info has not responded as to how he came by it. Many of the males of this line were Lutheran pastors going back to 1500’s. I am a direct descendant of Anthony Jacob Henckel, so, thought it was worth a try.
        I appreciate your quick reply. Thank you.
        Martha

        Reply
        1. Cheryl Biermann Hartley says:
          July 30, 2018 at 1:35 am

          Martha,
          I have found the reference to a possibility that the Henckel lineage passes through Louisa (Wagner) Dentzel. I scrolled through the posts on the Henckel Family Association and found a post from Debbie Fiumara. She asked everyone to look at her post from 1 Nov 2017 on the Luther Surname Board at Ancestry.com. She has done extensive research on this possible connection and has concluded that Margareta Luther, sixth child of Martin Luther, was married only once to Georg von Kunheim. I may ask for permission to post her research here. For the time being, a link will have to do: Post from pfiumara on Wagner connection to Martin Luther.

          Please read this very well thought out consideration of the Wagner connection to Luther. There are Wagner descendants that come off the Luther line, but they married into the Haberland family in 1884 in Buchholz, Germany.

          I never rule out the possibility that new information will come to light and we may find new Luther descendants, but I would want to see the proof and that would have to include original records. I spend a lot of time combing through old German church records and there are major gaps in them. It’s too bad, but that’s the way it is. You have a very fine ancestor in Anthony Jacob Henckel. Unfortunately, I don’t have any ancestors who came to the United States during the Colonial period, although my husband does.

          I hope you can find the research via the link above. Let me know if you have any trouble with it.

          Kind regards,
          Cheryl

          Reply
  14. Malcolm says:
    March 31, 2019 at 2:12 am

    If that’s true, then you are also a direct descendant of German president Paul Von Hindenburg. Hindenburg was a direct descendant of Martin Luther.

    Reply
    1. Cheryl Biermann Hartley says:
      April 2, 2019 at 11:53 pm

      Malcom,

      Technically, I am a cousin of Paul Ludwig Hans Anton von Beneckendorff und von Hindenburg. He was descended from Luther’s daughter Anna Margarethe Luther and I am descended from a his son Paul. I have calculated that von Hindenburg is my tenth cousin twice removed.

      Cheryl

      Reply
  15. Gary Clark says:
    December 17, 2019 at 8:08 pm

    Great site. Thanks to all for their comments, and information. I am linked to Martin Luther by his son Paul, his Grandson Johann, and his Great Granddaughter Katherine. She married into the Propst family.
    This was a great line to find. Veit Von Warbeck is also connected to this line.
    This is why we search. To find out who we are. It answers so many questions as to our personal make up. It’s in our DNA.

    Gary

    Reply
    1. Cheryl Biermann Hartley says:
      February 13, 2020 at 12:41 am

      Gary,
      Thanks for reading. I don’t get on here as often as I should. I am still continually researching for myself and for others.
      Cheryl

      Reply
  16. Jamie says:
    April 16, 2020 at 1:58 pm

    HI, I am a direct decendant of Martin Luther through my dad. (a Luther). a cousin of his did the research. we have a family tree, and such. My brother who lived in Germany for years didn’t believe it, so he went back in german records, and said it all panned out. I am not the geneology expert, I think I know the cousin who is.
    we are through his son Martin I believe-Id have to look at the chart again.
    I could take a picture for you if you’d like?
    My dads family is from Carroltown PA. Im shocked to read what you wrote, that there are no Male decendents with Luther name.
    Again, Im not the one to really debate this, but I think I know who could give you all the information you might need.

    Reply
    1. Cheryl Biermann Hartley says:
      May 1, 2020 at 11:59 pm

      Hello, Jamie. I am sorry about the delay in approving your post. I need to review posts to avoid the overwhelming amount of spam. I decided to do a little research before answering you and I found this update on Wiki-Tree:

      “Bernhard Marianus Luther (1754 – 1823)

      Bernhard Marianus (Conrad) Luther
      Born 28 Feb 1754 in Erfurt, Thuringia, Electorate of Mainzmap
      Son of Johann Melchior Luther and Margarethe Maria Wagner
      [sibling(s) unknown]
      Husband of Elizabeth (Bard) Luther — married 10 Dec 1789 in First Reformed Church, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, USAmap
      DESCENDANTS
      Father of John W Luther and William Luther
      Died 4 Mar 1823 in Carroll, Cambria county, Pennsylvania
      Profile manager: Brian Long
      Profile last modified 30 Oct 2019 | Created 9 Aug 2014

      New information from Germany, 2019: Dear Mrs. Lilly Martin Sahiounie.

      As genealogist of the International “Lutheriden-Vereinigung e.V.” our president Christian Priesmeier asked me to answer your inquiry (see copy below).

      First of all, thank you for your kind letter with some more information on the fate of soldier Conrad Luther!

      Indeed, after checking all available information we can affirm your direct descent from the Great Reformator Dr. Martin Luther (DML) via his son “Dr. Johannes Luther 1526-1575”, whose great-grandson “Simon Luther 1646-1677” was teacher at the Barfüerschule in Erfurt: His great-grandson is your ancestor CONRAD LUTHER, who came to New York 1776 as Hessian soldier and whose complete given name is

      “Bernhard Marianus Conrad Luther” 1754–1823 Geburt 28.02.1754 • Erfurt, Thüringen Tod 04.03.1823 • Carolltown, Cambria, Pennsylvania, USA

      With kind regards, Yours sincerely Prof. Wolfgang Alt 2019″

      It sounds as though this is your family. My original post is from 2014 and it was generally accepted at the time that the Luther surname came from other male relatives of Luther or completely different Luther families (there are other unrelated Luthers in Germany). The update is from 2019, so it is fairly new information, at least for the public. You can find the link to Wiki-Tree here.

      Thank you so much for posting!

      Cheryl

      Reply
    2. Nancy Gillpatrick says:
      May 23, 2020 at 2:14 pm

      I just found this site. Martin Luther was my 13th great grandfather! It was discovered through DNA testing. I have the lineage tree showing I am a direct descendant through his daughter Anna Margareta. I would love to find more information.

      Reply
      1. Jakeb says:
        September 7, 2021 at 11:52 pm

        Did you do ancestry DNA test or a different one ?

        Reply
        1. Cheryl Biermann Hartley says:
          November 4, 2021 at 9:38 pm

          Well, here I am just seeing these comments. It has been a crazy year. DNA is only good back to about 8 generations. You may match someone in a specific line of descent to Martin Luther, but we are too many generations past to be able to “prove” Martine Luther as an ancestor using autosomal DNA. You can read more about the reason for this on Wikitree: https://www.wikitree.com/g2g/758267/ancestry-test-results-confirm-direct-lineage-martin-luther

          Reply
    3. Joe Luther says:
      January 29, 2023 at 2:34 pm

      Our family is from Cambria County, Pa. My dad Francis A Luther was born in Carrolltown and have family members still living there. My parents are buried in Loretto. We have traced our ancestry back thru Conrad Luther to Martin Luther,. Conrad Luther came to America as a Hessian soldier on 1777-8 and left the British army and after the war settled near Carrolltown. There are definitely Luthers carrying on the name including me, my brothers , my nephews and their boys.

      Joe Luther

      Reply
      1. Cheryl Biermann Hartley says:
        January 29, 2023 at 6:45 pm

        Joe,
        Hi, Thanks for posting. You are correct. If you read all the way through my post, you will see that in 2020 I updated the information to include your ancestor Bernhard Marianus “Conrad” Luther and included a link to the Wikitree for him. My original information for this blog entry came from the Lutheriden Society. It was their position for at least a century that there were no ancestors of Martin Luther who still bore the suname. New documentation comes to light all the time as we pursue our family research.
        Kind regards,
        Cheryl Hartley

        http://mysearchforthepast.com/2014/04/01/martin-luther-yes-that-martin-luther-52-ancestors-13/#:~:text=to%20this%20information%3A-,Bernhard%20Marianus%20Luther,-I%20am%20delighted

        Reply
      2. Christina says:
        April 5, 2025 at 11:26 am

        I too, like Joe Luther, have traced my lineage to Conrad Luther. I do not have the Luther name being a direct descendant of Conrad’s daughter Sarah Luther Bender. The descendants of Conrad Luther have a large presence in Cambria County.

        Christina

        Reply
    4. Patricia Jorgensen says:
      October 22, 2024 at 12:09 am

      Hi Jamie,
      I am a decendent of Conrad. His son Christopher, his son
      John Sylvester and his son George William who moved to
      Nebraska. My great grandfather Edward G., his son my grandfather
      George C. And my dad George D. Luther

      Reply
  17. Jamey little says:
    October 12, 2020 at 8:30 pm

    Hi all my name is Jamey little. I did the 23& me test. And and told me a lot evidently play the Queen Elizabeth.and Napoleon. My grandfather on my dad’s side was Joseph t little my mom’s side of the family are Reeder…when I looked up 23andMe and family members that have taken the test I seen a lot of prominent names that are acquired in the United States also I seen that I have family members named sir Luther I’ve also talked to other people online and they said that my family tree has a berry crazy past

    Reply
  18. Viv Sadd says:
    November 14, 2020 at 9:19 am

    There is a family rumour that we are related to That Martin Luther. We think that the Luthers entered the family tree in the 1400’s in the South of England, so maybe a relative had emigrated from Germany and moved to England, our line is in Shropshire (where we found a old will where our ancestor is mentioned). Could there be an older generation that does link us?

    Apparently, one relative had a portrait a few generations ago (but I guess you can buy those!)

    Any ideas?

    Reply
  19. Johnny B says:
    March 27, 2021 at 11:11 pm

    My wife always told me her mothers bloodline dates back to Martin Luther. Unfortunately my wife just passed away on Valentine’s Day of 2021. As I’m going through the records in the basement I came across paperwork that dates back several hundred years I haven’t taken the time to actually look but I do know now what my wife told me is possibly true with documentation

    Reply
  20. Jill Hopkins says:
    June 27, 2021 at 2:15 pm

    Was told by a family member researching the family tree we are descended from Martin luther.
    But the Luther’s that left for England changed their name from Luther to Hopkins

    Reply
  21. Tom Kelly says:
    December 24, 2021 at 7:24 pm

    What a man, what a subject of interest to us and our human minds. It is important though to be linked thru Martin Luther thru the same faith to our wonderfull GOD and Saviour , “Jesus Christ the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me” Galatians 2;20

    Reply
    1. Allen Little says:
      June 15, 2022 at 7:14 am

      Hi Cheryl,
      Thank you for all your excellent work into the descendants of the great reformer, Martin Luther. Per FamilySearch.org, a Mormon organization I am a direct descendant of Martin Luther, his 13x great grandson! Quite an honor. We are connected through his daughter and my paternal grandmother’s family Sweeney. I can supply you the family tree if you like?
      Kindest regards,
      Rev. Allen Wayne Little

      Reply
  22. PaulHosse says:
    March 30, 2022 at 7:23 pm

    Hi! I’m am descended from Martin’s brother, Johan. I was wondering if there is a list of surnames associated with Martin’s descendants. Also, I’ve never been able to find out what Johan did for a living. Any idea?

    Reply
    1. Cheryl Biermann Hartley says:
      April 9, 2022 at 3:18 pm

      Hello, Paul. I really didn’t know the answer to your question, but I found this in a Wiki on the subject of Martin Luther’s family.

      “According to the laws of the region, (Grand) Hans Luder, although the oldest son of the Luders, was not entitled to inheritance. It was not, however, as assumed by older research, that he moved away from Möhra in order not to work as his brother’s servant. [12] According to archival sources, the Luders in Möhra operated a copper hammer near Ettenhausen, and mining archaeological evidence has shown the mining of copper slate ores in the Gumpelstadt area . Against this background it becomes understandable why Hans Luder turned to the coal and steel industry and was trained as a miner in Kupfersuhl . This is how he gained his first work experience in local mining. [13]So he probably worked as a miner first in Kupfersuhl near Möhra. [14]”

      You can find the source here: https://second.wiki/wiki/hans_luder_hc3bcttenmeister

      Reply
  23. Allen Wayne Little says:
    June 16, 2022 at 1:06 am

    Hi Ms. Hartley,.
    This is Allen W. Little again. I recently left a post which was incorrect regarding my ancestry to Dr. Luther. Double checking my family tree it goes through my paternal grandfather’s side not my grandmother’s side. So it goes from my grandfather to his mother Hester C. Spangler. And continues through to Dr. Luther’s oldest daughter Margarethe. Feel free contact me if you have any questions.
    Most sincerely,
    Allen W. Little

    Reply
  24. Natalie Becker says:
    March 26, 2023 at 1:13 pm

    I just found out Martin Luther is my 12th Great-Grandfather from his son Paul. It’s on my mother’s father’s side.

    Reply
    1. Cheryl Biermann Hartley says:
      April 26, 2023 at 1:17 pm

      Since I am also descended from Paul Luther we are in the same line. Do you have a tree? I would love see if we have a closer connection,
      Cheryl

      Reply
    2. Shelby Nevens (maiden name Luther) says:
      January 1, 2026 at 10:47 pm

      I’ve discovered through Ancestry that Martin Luther is my 12th great grand-uncle. His Brother Jakob Luther is my 12th great grand-father.

      Reply
  25. Boyd Yost says:
    November 13, 2023 at 11:12 pm

    I have heard through family legend that Martin Luther is my 15 times great-grandfather. I wish to verify this. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated. I have found a book that would help (“Die Nachkommenschaft D. Martin Luthers: in vier Jahrhunderten nebst Anhang”), but have no way to access it.

    Reply
  26. Marilyn says:
    November 17, 2023 at 4:16 pm

    Hello, my name is Marilyn Jack, and i just found out yesterday evening from Ancestry.com that Martin Luther is my 12th great grandfather through his son, Paul, on my mother’s side of the family. My mother’s maiden name is Lavina Marie Ford.

    My family and I are from Minnesota.

    Reply
  27. Sarah C Alva says:
    July 26, 2024 at 11:30 pm

    Hello, it looks like Martin Luther was my 14th great grandfather through his son Hans. I would love to connect with everyone. So wild.

    Reply
  28. Michele ferguson says:
    October 27, 2024 at 2:26 pm

    I am a descendant of Conrad Luther also!

    Reply
  29. John Hammond says:
    March 21, 2025 at 8:34 pm

    It appears that Martin Luther is my 12th Great-Grandfather
    Martin Luther 12th GGF
    Johannes Luther 11th GGF
    Martin Luther 10th GGF
    George Luther 9th GGF
    Simon Luther 8th GGF
    Laurentius Luther 7th GGF
    Johann Luther 6th GGF
    Conrad Luther 5th GGF
    Christopher Luther 4th GGF
    Elizabeth (Luther) McCombie 3rd GGM
    Albert McCombie 2nd GGF
    Eliza (McCombie) Hammond GGM
    George Albert Hammond GF
    John George Hammond Sr. F
    John George Hammond Me

    Reply
  30. Merrilee Morrison-Cotter says:
    February 3, 2026 at 11:22 pm

    Sadly, I’m not related, but I wonder if Joanna Luther (1687-1728) who married Ephraim Hix (1687-1765) is related , and, if so, what is her lineage? They married in Swansea, Bristol, Mass Bay colony on Aug. 28, 1728.
    https://www.familysearch.org/en/tree/pedigree/landscape/LC7L-9HY

    Reply
  31. Cheryl Biermann Hartley says:
    February 12, 2026 at 11:53 am

    Merrilee,
    I haven’t personally researched Joanna Luther, but there is a public tree for her on FamilySearch. You can access it here: https://ancestors.familysearch.org/en/LC7L-9HY/joanna-luther-1687-1728
    Cheryl

    Reply

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