Several families with the name Emden lived in Frankfurt. Their origins possibly predate the creation of the Judengasse, making them one of the oldest Frankfurt Jewish families. Their connection with the Friesian town called Emden was clearly only brief, as some members of the Emden family settled there temporarily. During the 18th century the Emdens followed the moneylending and metal trades. Between 1750 and 1792, Jakob Emden ran a substantial lottery business.