List of Dutch Noble Families

List Of Dutch Noble Families

Dutch nobility is regulated by act of law in the Wet op de adeldom (Law Regarding Nobility, passed into law on June 24, 1814) and is overseen by the Hoge Raad van Adel (nl) (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, Philip II of Spain, heir of the Dukes of Burgundy, was abjured by representatives of the Seven Provinces. This left a great part of the executive and legislative power to the Ridderschap (knight) of each province, which consisted of the representatives of those families of the old feudal nobility.

In 1798, the Batavian revolution did away with their power, and it was not before 1814, when William of Orange 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 1814, if no higher title was recognised, the men only were to bear the hereditary predicate of Jonkheer. Some old feudal families obtained 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 1814, held their pre-existent titles. In 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).