The Ellissen family is a branch of the older Reiss family. The Ellissen family achieved great wealth by vigourous activity in moneychanging and moneylending, through trading in luxury goods, by being court factors, and not least by marrying advantageously into wealthy Frankfurt Jewish families. At the end of the 18th century they were among the wealthiest Jews in Frankfurt, and continued to own banks and companies in Frankfurt during the 19th century.