List of Dutch noble families explained

Dutch nobility is regulated by act of law in the Wet op de adeldom (Law Regarding Nobility, passed into law on May 10, 1994) and is overseen by the (High Council of Nobility), an official state institution of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

Before 1814, the history of nobility was separate for each of the Dutch provinces. In the Early Middle Ages, there were, in each province, a number of feudal lords who often were just as powerful, and sometimes more so, than the rulers themselves. In old times, no title other than knight existed.

In the middle of the fourteenth century, quarrels between the feudal lords reduced many families and castles to ruins, contributing to the Dukes of Burgundys' acquisition by conquest or inheritance of many of the provinces forming the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

In 1581, representatives of the Seven Provinces abjured Philip II of Spain, heir of the Dukes of Burgundy. This left a great part of the executive and legislative power to the Ridderschap (knightly estate) of each province, which consisted of the representatives of those families of the old feudal nobility.

In 1795, the Batavian Revolution did away with their power, and it was not before 1813, when William I became King of the Netherlands, that they were again given power in another form. Still, by the time of the constitution of 1848, they had no influence in government affairs.

In 1813, if no higher title was recognised, the men only were to bear the hereditary predicate of Jonkheer. Some old feudal families obtained or assumed the title of Baron or Baroness for all their descendants.

Older nobility, having been granted their titles by either the Holy Roman Emperors or French Kings long before 1813, held their pre-existent titles, some of which were confirmed in the new Kingdom of the Netherlands (such as the families Bentinck, Limburg Stirum and Van Rechteren). In some of these families it is more usual that only the oldest male descendant bears the family title while other descendants bear the predicate of Jonkheer (m) or Jonkvrouw (f).

Princes/Princesses

Dukes/Duchesses

The title Duke/Duchess (Hertog in Dutch) is no longer in existence in noble families of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in this day and age.

Marquises/Marquesses

Counts/Countesses

Viscounts/Viscountesses

Barons/Baronesses

Hereditary knights/Jonkvrouwen

Jonkheren/Jonkvrouwen

Jonkheer/Jonkvrouw

See also

Sources

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: «The Royal family consists of the members of the Royal House, plus: Princess Mabel, the three children of Prince Constantijn and Princess Laurentien, Prince Maurits, Princess Marilène, Prince Bernhard, Princess Annette, Prince Pieter-Christiaan, Princess Anita, Prince Floris, Princess Aimée and their children, and Princess Irene and Princess Christina (1947-2019), their children, daughters- and sons-in-law, and grandchildren.». Royal-House.nl (Website of the Dutch Royal Family).
  2. Following the House of Lords Act 1999, the current Prince has sat in the British House of Lords as a representative hereditary peer under his British title since 2015. See https://members.parliament.uk/member/4541/career
  3. Following the House of Lords Act 1999, the current (and presumed last) Marquis has sat in the British House of Lords as a representative hereditary peer under his British title since 2010. See https://members.parliament.uk/member/3391/career
  4. Following the House of Lords Act 1999, the current Baron has sat in the British House of Lords as a representative hereditary peer under his Scottish title since 2019. See https://members.parliament.uk/member/4713/career

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