The familial line of the Saxon-Thuringian family Schönburg is first documented with Hermannus de Sconeburg. The barons of Schönburg possessed imperial free territory. In 1180 Glauchau was added, in 1200, Lichtenstein. The free territories of Waldenburg, Hartenstein, Wechselburg, Penig and Rochsburg were appended.

The political importance of the family was manifested when Emperor Leopold I raised the entire house of Schönburg to the status of county in the Holy Roman Empire in 1700. In 1790, Emperor Leopold II awarded Count Otto Karl Friedrich von Schönburg the status of prince. After the end of the Holy Roman Empire, the counts of Schönburg continued to exercise certain rights, similar to those of the former ruling houses.