His name was Ludwig von Beethoven. Yet, we cut the "von" out of his last name in America. Somehow we don't cut it out of von Braun's name, or anyone else that I know of, for that matter (I'm sure someone will find someone else and correct me), so why cut it out of von Beethoven's name?

I don't know about you guys, but as far as I'm concerned, he's not Beethoven, but von Beethoven.

EDIT: My real name is The von Ceej, so from now on, you can just call me von Ceej for short.