Katzenelnbogen was originally an independent territory, but by 1583 it became part of the landgraviate of Hesse-Kassel. This territory was later the core of the Prussian province of Hesse-Nassau.
Katzenelnbogen is primarily known because the name Katzenellenbogen ("cat's elbow") was adopted by a rabbinical family descended from twelve Jews, who settled in Katzenelnbogen in Hesse-Nassau in 1312, with thousands of descendants and huge family connections throughout Europe and America. The name was first used after the family moved to Padan, Italy by Meir Katzenellenbogen (1482-1565).