 The name Güstrow comes from the Polabian Guščerov and means lizard place.In 1219 the Wendish castle Güstrowe was built where the renaissance palace stands now.Güstrow is said to be founded by Heinrich Borwin II, a grandson of Henry the Lion, between 1219 and 1226 and was first mentioned in 1228 in the deed of city rights of Schwerin, confirmed by the sons of Heinrich Borwin II, who donated the cathedral as collegiate church in 1226.