Rowohlt had two sons, both illegitimate: Heinrich Maria Ledig-Rowohlt (1908–1992), who succeeded him as head of the publishing house, and Harry Rowohlt (1945-2015), a writer.
Rowohlt a avut doi fii, ambii ilegitimi: Heinrich Maria Ledig-Rowohlt (1908-1992), care i-a succedat în calitate de director al editurii, și Harry Rowohlt (1945-2015), scriitor.