High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! Von Schmidt auf Altenstadt , or more properly von Schmidt auf Altenstadt with a lower case "v", was a German noble family whose seat was at Schloss Gattendorf outside of Hof, Bavaria near the Czech border. Also known as Schmidt von Altenstadt, it had branches in other countries: the Netherlands, and Russia where its members also distinguished themselves. In 1861, one branch received baronial title from the King of Württemberg.Johann Fabricius , originally surnamed Schmidt had altered his name to the Latin form "Fabricius" in order to attract the attention of the Emperor, served Maximilian II against the Turks and was given a coat of arms by the imperial Letters Patent of 2 November 1564.