The namesake of the order, Albert the Bear, was the first Margrave of Brandenburg from the House of Ascania.

In 1864, Leopold IV, who by virtue of the extinction of the other branches of the family had become the sole Duke of Anhalt, altered the statute to provide that the order could be granted with swords.

On April 29, 1901, in honor of the 70th birthday of Duke Frederick I, a crown was added to all classes of the order.

The house order has currently three ranks, i.e. Grand Cross, Commander (males) or Dame-Commander (females), and Knight (males) or Dame (females), and as well the Medal of Merit associated with this Order.

[3] Recent recipients include Infante Carlos, Duke of Calabria and Princess Khétévane Bagration de Moukhrani.