Rockefellers

The Rockefeller family, widely known as simply the Rockefellers, hail from two men of German American origin, John D. Rockefeller and William Rockefeller. Together thee two brothers have spawned a family widely known for their roles in American banking, industrial sectors, politics and philanthropy. During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the Rockefellers became synonymous with private oil fortunes and their association with the Standard Oil Company. Today, the Rockefellers are also known for their financial interests in JP Morgan Chase.

The Rockefellers can be traced back to the small German settlement of Rockenfeld; where the family name is known as Rockefeller. The first of the Rockefellers is in America is believed to be Johann Peter, who immigrated to New Jersey in 1723 from the German Palatinate. Once in America he began to acquire large holdings, producing the beginning of the Rockefeller wealth.

Over the years it has been difficult to estimate the total combined wealth of the Rockefellers. In the early 1990s it was estimated that the Rockefellers were worth a total somewhere between $5 and $10 billion. A large portion of the wealth of the Rockefellers has remained tied up in a family trust originating from 1934 as well as another trust from 1952.

In addition to the extensive wealth, the Rockefellers have owned numerous notable homes throughout the years. Total of 81 homes belonging to the Rockefellers have appeared on the National Register of Historic Places. The most well-known of these homes is Kykuit, a six story mansion located in Westchester county. The home has served as the family estate to four generations of Rockefellers.

Over the years numerous financial advisors have managed the considerable wealth of the Rockefellers. The principle holding company for the wealth of the Rockefellers is currently Rockefeller Financial Services. A Rockefeller family member, David Rockefeller, Jr., is chairman of Rockefeller Financial Services.

John D. Rockefeller, Sr. was born July 8, 1839 and is most well known as an American philanthropist and industrialist. Rockefeller founded the Standard Oil Company in 1870 and operated the company until he retired in the late 1890s. Even though he retired, Rockefeller retained his stock in the company and continued to grow the family wealth. Read more about Rockefeller at the Rockefeller page.