The Lords of Žovnek, later Counts of Celje, were named after the castle. The castle was first mentioned in 1278 as Castrum Sevnekke, and later as Sannegg.
The castle that would become synonymous with the title of the Lords of Žovnek, later Counts of Celje, was initially known as Castrum Sevnekke in 1278, and later referred to as Sannegg.