Burkhard I, Lord of the House of Hohenzollern (Latin: Burchardus, Burcardus; born c. before 1025; killed as part of a feud in 1061^[1]) is considered the first well-documented ancestor of the Hohenzollern dynasty.^[2] Because of his name, it has been attempted to link the Hohenzollern family's descent to the medieval Burchardings family, but without success.^[3] His father may have been Friedrich, a count in the Sülichgau area (roughly corresponding to today's Tübingen district). His mother may have been Irmentrud, the daughter of Count Burkhard of Nellenburg.^{[1][unreliable source?]}

In the annals of the monk Berthold of Reichenau from the year 1061, Buchardus de Zolorin and Wezil de Zolorin are mentioned. Based on this source, Burkhard was killed due to a feud.^{[dubious – discuss]} Little is known about the aforementioned persons themselves, or their possible relationship.

The next documented member of the dynasty is Frederick I, Count of Zollern, who was probably a son or a grandson of Burkhard I. He was the ancestor of Kaiser Wilhelm II, King Frederick the Great, and Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands.