The Bibran-Modlau family (Bibran, Bibra und Modlau, Bibra-Modlau) was a Silesian noble family which was raised to Reichsfreiherr (Imperial barons) 1624.
One source (Origines familiae Bibranorum in Francia orientali utraque Silesia et Lusatia ...) reports that the family descends from a Sigmund von Bibra (Franconian Bibra family) who traveled to Silesia in the 11th century, however the different coat of arms casts doubt on the connection.[1] The description with the published (c. 1860) print of Schloss Modlau describes the Bibran family as having split off from the Franconia Bibras five hundred years ago.[2]
The family appears for the first time with Sigmund von Bibra, who apparently followed Agnes von Babenberg, granddaughter of Emperor Henry IV and bride Duke Władysław II had come to Silesia from Franconia. The family was divided into the Modlau line in the Bunzlau district , Profen in the Jauer district and Kittlitz-Treben-Woitsdorf in the Bunzlau district and Goldberg-Haynau. By 1480 Modlau and Profen were already in possession of the family. At the end of the family, it was centered at Reisicht and Modlau, in present-day Poland. Prominent members of the family were: Friedrich Heinrich von Bibran-Modlau, Abraham von Bibran Kittlitztreben und Woitsdorf, and Sigismund Heinrich von Bibran-Modlau († 1693) who was one of the largest land owner in Silesia.
- ^ Neues allgemeines Deutsches Adels-Lexicon, Vol. 1, Leipzig, 1859, pp. 412-413
- ^ "Picture and History of Schloss Moldau including relationship of Bibran (Silesia) family to Bibra (Franconian) (German) F. Pazelt, Theodor Albert (1822-1867), Alexander Duncker (1813-1897)" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2007-06-12.