The Landau family and Ochs family had a common ancestry. Records show the family in Frankfurt as early as the beginning of the 16th century. They were wealthy and enjoyed a high reputation within the Judengasse. When Samuel LandauOchs built the Ochs in 1550, a Landau branch and an Ochs branch of the family were formed. Samuel was the most important figure in the family. He held the office of "master builder" and rose to a position of influence at the Imperial Court, enjoying the privilege of exemption from taxes. The Landau-Ochs family continued to rank among the leading families in the Judengasse up until the dissolution of the ghetto. As late as the end of the 18th century there are references to a Samuel Seckel Landau, who possessed a substantial fortune and who endowed a small foundation supporting various charitable causes.