•Von Gryff (13th/ 20th/ 27th January) Von Gryff is celebrated in Basel canton of Switzerland. This Festival is filled with colour and the traditional characters of Vogel Gryff (griffin), Wild Man and Leu (lion).
the von in a German or Austrians name means "of", it was also designated as a sign of rank, more or less like being knighted. so for example the Napoleonic era Prussian general August von Gnesinau...
Probably, Humboldt was a popular naturalist and shall we say knowledge-Man. as one might guess he has been much-honored by nomenclature of Parks. There was a movement to call Central Park (In NY)...
The difference is the same as the difference in English between "of" and "of the"
eg Mann lebt nicht von Brot allein = One cannot live on (from) bread alone
eg Das Lied von der Erde = The song of...