 Johann Philipp Franz von Schönborn was born in Würzburg on 15 February 1673, the oldest son of (1644-1717, see List of rulers of Schönborn) and his wife, Maria Anna Sophia (or Sophie) von Boineburg (1652–1726).His uncle was Lothar Franz von Schönborn, Archbishop-Elector of Mainz from 1694 to 1729.As the oldest son, Johann Philipp Franz was slated for an ecclesiastical career from an early age.