The House of Betha or Bethe is an Austro-German noble family constituting a part of the Uradel. Noted in Prussian history since the early 14th century, the lineage has constituted various ecclesiastical and political roles, such as Crusader knights, clergy, and later minor political figures in the Herrenhaus.

History

The first notable person to hold the name was Caspar von Bethe, a knight of the Teutonic Order who led the Polish-Teutonic wars. After the conquest, he was granted lordship of Conitz for his service. In later centuries, his descendants in Austria and Brandenburg-Prussia went on to establish a noble lineage, entitled as Freiherr and Ritter von Bethe in the Prussian and Austrian nobility. The Catholic branch of the family was confirmed as ancient nobility, and elevated to the title of Reichsfreiherr, or imperial barons in 1790. Another cadet branch of the family remained in Austria-Hungary, losing their title and legal status after the First World War. Most remaining members in Central Europe descend from the Prussian and Hungarian cadet branches respectively, along with the senior branch residing in the United States.

Notable people with the surname Betha or Bethe