Belgian nobility
Encyclopedia
In the Kingdom of Belgium there are at the moment approximately 1,300 noble families. Some 20,000 individuals are titled. The noble lineage of only ca. 400 families dates back to the 17th century. As Belgium is a democratic constitutional monarchy
there are no legal privileges attached to bearing a noble title or to being a member of the aristocracy. Most noble surnames have the particle 'de' (French for of/from) or the Dutch 'van' as a prefix. The Belgian nobility is known to be mostly Roman Catholic, conservative, and royalist
. Living in a bilingual (Dutch
/French
) country with a majority of Dutch-speaking people, their mother tongue is mostly French although many are also fluent in Dutch and other languages. Many of the older families still own (and reside in) important Castle
s or country houses. (see: Castles in Belgium) Most noble people in Belgium still clearly belong to the elite. They sometimes own and manage companies, or have leading positions in business, banking, diplomacy, NGOs etc.
Belgium is one of the few monarchies in the world where noble titles are still (annually) granted by the King of the Belgians. (Grant of Nobility). Many Belgian citizens meritorious in business, politics, science, arts, sport etc. received a title. Amongst others are the entrepreneur Baron
Paul Janssen
, the astronauts Viscount
Dirk Frimout
and Viscount Frank De Winne
, the chemist Viscount Ilya Prigogine
and the cyclist Baron Eddy Merckx
.
/ Prins in Dutch
The title of Prince
is the highest in rank. The title is not granted to new nobles. Members of the families listed below have the right to call themselves 'Prince' or 'Princess' in combination with their family name. Most families have a very old lineage (typically before the 15th century) and their ancestors often bore other titles before they obtained the highest rank. They are received in audience by the King in the 'Salon Bleu' of the Royal Palace of Belgium and subsequently are called 'Noblesse du Salon Bleu' (Nobles of the Blue Room). Some families obtained and still hold titles in other countries.
Members of the Royal family bear the title 'Prince of Belgium'. Sometimes a specific dynastic title is granted. For example the Crown Prince
is traditionally granted the title of Duke of Brabant
(Duc de Brabant/Hertog van Brabant).
Note:
(Duc in French
,Hertog in Dutch
). It's the second highest title in rank and was never granted by the Kingdom of Belgium. The origin of the titles thus goes back to an earlier date. Higher than prince in some families (Arenberg, Croy, Ursel, Beaufort-Spontin, Looz-Corswarem)
Also, the dynastic title Duke of Brabant
is used by the Crown Prince. At this moment the Belgian Crown Prince Philip is Duke of Brabant.
.
is the highest-ranked title still granted by the Belgian King.
There are roughly 90 families in Belgium whose members bear the title of Count or Countess:
The titles Count of Hainault and Count of Flanders
are used as dynastic titles for members of the Royal Family.
s in Belgium (Vicomte in French
/Burggraaf in Dutch
). It is a one of the highest titles granted by the King.
or Baron
ess. This title is often granted by the King.
Members of the following families bear the title.
s (Chevalier in French
/ Ridder in Dutch
). There is no female equivalent for the title; the wife of a knight usually takes the title of " lady".
for shield bearer or squire) or Jonkheer
(Dutch
, literally meaning 'Young Lord'). The female equivalent of Jonkheer is Jonkvrouw. Écuyer however has no female equivalent. The titles Jonkheer and Jonkvrouw are roughly equivalent in meaning to "Sir" or "Dame", but not a common translation. Écuyer is equivalent to "esquire" except that the latter may be used for any Englishman.
There are thousands of untitled noble families in Belgium. These noble families lack an official Belgian family title for various reasons. The most common reason is that they were Écuyer, as described above, and were therefore noble only through their close link with the titled aristocracy. Another common reason is that some titles could only be taken over by a certain number of family members (e.g. the eldest), so that the rest of the family became untitled, though essentially still made part of the Belgian nobility. A third reason is that some aristocrats voluntarily relinquished their title in order to perform commercial activities, as described above.
Below is a non-exhaustive list of untitled noble families in Belgium:
, but have since obtained Belgian nationality after residing for a long time (sometimes for many generations) in Belgium
. Most of these families have come from neighbouring European monarchies (France
, Holland, Germany
) at various stages of history. These have usually (but not always) asked for equivalent nobility titles within the Kingdom of Belgium
, which were typically granted.
A number of noble families residing in Belgium
originate beyond the current European Union
borders (Russia) or even outside Europe Korea
, Japan
. Many of these families used to possess nobility titles in their country of origin, which have not always been converted into official Belgian nobility titles. In some cases, some families did not want a Belgian title because they hoped their stay in Belgium would be only temporary. This was the case for many Russian nobles, who were exiled after the October Revolution
.
In other cases, some families did not make the request for conversion either by pride or because the cultural differences make such conversions less obvious. One such example is the Sagangong branch of the Korean Pyeongsan Shin clan family, which has resided in Belgium since 1974.
Despite being of foreign origins, the above noble families belong fully to the Belgian elite and many are well integrated into the society. Many of these families have been in Belgium for so long, intermarrying with Belgian nobility, that they are more Belgian than foreign in blood (e.g. de Lobkowicz
, de Radiguès de Chenneviere, Arrazola de Oñate). Moreover, the family names have often been frenchified by adding particles such as de.
Constitutional monarchy
Constitutional monarchy is a form of government in which a monarch acts as head of state within the parameters of a constitution, whether it be a written, uncodified or blended constitution...
there are no legal privileges attached to bearing a noble title or to being a member of the aristocracy. Most noble surnames have the particle 'de' (French for of/from) or the Dutch 'van' as a prefix. The Belgian nobility is known to be mostly Roman Catholic, conservative, and royalist
Monarchism
Monarchism is the advocacy of the establishment, preservation, or restoration of a monarchy as a form of government in a nation. A monarchist is an individual who supports this form of government out of principle, independent from the person, the Monarch.In this system, the Monarch may be the...
. Living in a bilingual (Dutch
Dutch language
Dutch is a West Germanic language and the native language of the majority of the population of the Netherlands, Belgium, and Suriname, the three member states of the Dutch Language Union. Most speakers live in the European Union, where it is a first language for about 23 million and a second...
/French
French language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
) country with a majority of Dutch-speaking people, their mother tongue is mostly French although many are also fluent in Dutch and other languages. Many of the older families still own (and reside in) important Castle
Castle
A castle is a type of fortified structure built in Europe and the Middle East during the Middle Ages by European nobility. Scholars debate the scope of the word castle, but usually consider it to be the private fortified residence of a lord or noble...
s or country houses. (see: Castles in Belgium) Most noble people in Belgium still clearly belong to the elite. They sometimes own and manage companies, or have leading positions in business, banking, diplomacy, NGOs etc.
Belgium is one of the few monarchies in the world where noble titles are still (annually) granted by the King of the Belgians. (Grant of Nobility). Many Belgian citizens meritorious in business, politics, science, arts, sport etc. received a title. Amongst others are the entrepreneur Baron
Baron
Baron is a title of nobility. The word baron comes from Old French baron, itself from Old High German and Latin baro meaning " man, warrior"; it merged with cognate Old English beorn meaning "nobleman"...
Paul Janssen
Paul Janssen
Paul Adriaan Jan, Baron Janssen was the founder of Janssen Pharmaceutica, a pharmaceutical company with over 20,000 employees. In 2005 he finished as runner up, after Father Damien, in the poll for The Greatest Belgian organized by the regional Flemish television...
, the astronauts Viscount
Viscount
A viscount or viscountess is a member of the European nobility whose comital title ranks usually, as in the British peerage, above a baron, below an earl or a count .-Etymology:...
Dirk Frimout
Dirk Frimout
Dirk Dries David Damiaan, Viscount Frimout is an astrophysicist for the European Space Agency. He flew aboard NASA Space Shuttle mision STS-45 as a payload specialist, making him the first Belgian in space....
and Viscount Frank De Winne
Frank De Winne
Frank, Viscount De Winne is a Belgian Air Component officer and an ESA astronaut. He is Belgium's second person in space . He was the first ESA astronaut to command a space mission when he served as commander of ISS Expedition 21.-Education:De Winne graduated in 1979 from the Royal School of Cadets...
, the chemist Viscount Ilya Prigogine
Ilya Prigogine
Ilya, Viscount Prigogine was a Russian-born naturalized Belgian physical chemist and Nobel Laureate noted for his work on dissipative structures, complex systems, and irreversibility.-Biography :...
and the cyclist Baron Eddy Merckx
Eddy Merckx
Edouard Louis Joseph, Baron Merckx , better known as Eddy Merckx, is a Belgian former professional cyclist. The French magazine Vélo called him "the most accomplished rider that cycling has ever known." The American publication, VeloNews, called him the greatest and most successful cyclist of all...
.
Princely houses
(Prince in FrenchFrench language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
/ Prins in Dutch
Dutch language
Dutch is a West Germanic language and the native language of the majority of the population of the Netherlands, Belgium, and Suriname, the three member states of the Dutch Language Union. Most speakers live in the European Union, where it is a first language for about 23 million and a second...
The title of Prince
Prince
Prince is a general term for a ruler, monarch or member of a monarch's or former monarch's family, and is a hereditary title in the nobility of some European states. The feminine equivalent is a princess...
is the highest in rank. The title is not granted to new nobles. Members of the families listed below have the right to call themselves 'Prince' or 'Princess' in combination with their family name. Most families have a very old lineage (typically before the 15th century) and their ancestors often bore other titles before they obtained the highest rank. They are received in audience by the King in the 'Salon Bleu' of the Royal Palace of Belgium and subsequently are called 'Noblesse du Salon Bleu' (Nobles of the Blue Room). Some families obtained and still hold titles in other countries.
- de Habsburg-Lorraine, Archduke Rudolf of Austria & his male line descendants were incorporated into Belgian nobility as HSH Prince de Habsburg-Lorraine in 1978
- de LigneHouse of LigneThe House of Ligne is one of the oldest Belgian noble families, dating back to the eleventh century. It s name comes from the village in which it originated, between Ath and Tournai. The lords of Ligne belonged to the entourage of the Count of Hainaut at the time of the Crusades...
, prince since 1601. - de MérodeHouse of MerodeThe princely house of Merode is one of the most important houses of the Belgian nobility.The surname of the family and the name of the House is mostly written de Mérode in but was originally von Merode due to the German descent of the House...
, prince since 1930 (but counts of the Holy Roman EmpireHoly Roman EmpireThe Holy Roman Empire was a realm that existed from 962 to 1806 in Central Europe.It was ruled by the Holy Roman Emperor. Its character changed during the Middle Ages and the Early Modern period, when the power of the emperor gradually weakened in favour of the princes...
before, Heads of the house bore the titles Marquess of Westerlo since 1626 and Prince of RubempréRubempréRubempré is a commune in the Somme department in Picardie in northern France.-Geography:The commune is situated some north of Amiens, at the junction of the D11 and D113 roads.-Population:-External links:*...
and EverbergEverbergEverberg is a town in the Belgian province Flemish-Brabant and is part of the municipality of Kortenberg. The territory contains an area of 925 ha. The neighbouring towns or municipalities are Leefdaal, Kortenberg, Erps-Kwerps, Meerbeek, Sterrebeek, Moorsel and Tervuren...
since the 18th century. The title of Prince of Grimbergen was inherited after the death of Maria-Josepha d'Oignies-Mastain in 1842. - de Riquet (Prince de ChimayChimayChimay a Walloon municipality located in the Belgian province of Hainaut. On January 1, 2006, Chimay had a total population of 9,774. The total area is 197.10 km² which gives a population density of 50 inhabitants per km²...
et de Caraman) - d'ArenbergHouse of ArenbergThe House of Arenberg is an aristocratic lineage that is constituted by three successive families who took their name from Arenberg, a small principality of the Holy Roman Empire in the Eifel. The inheritance of the House of Croÿ-Aarschot made the Arenbergs the most influential and most wealthy...
- de CroÿCroyCroy may refer to:*Croy, Switzerland, a municipality in the canton of Vaud*One of several communities in Scotland, including:**Croy, Highland**Croy, North Lanarkshire*The House of Croÿ, an ancient and wealthy family originating in Belgium...
- de LobkowiczLobkowiczThe Lobkowicz family is one of the oldest still existing Bohemian noble families dating back to the 14th century...
. Noble family of Czech origin. Their princely title was recognized in Belgium after they fled from communist Czechoslovakia. - Béthune-Hesdigneul
- Looz-Corswarem: prince 1825
Members of the Royal family bear the title 'Prince of Belgium'. Sometimes a specific dynastic title is granted. For example the Crown Prince
Crown Prince
A crown prince or crown princess is the heir or heiress apparent to the throne in a royal or imperial monarchy. The wife of a crown prince is also titled crown princess....
is traditionally granted the title of Duke of Brabant
Duke of Brabant
The Duchy of Brabant was formally erected in 1183/1184. The title "Duke of Brabant" was created by the German Emperor Frederick Barbarossa in favor of Henry I, son of Godfrey III of Leuven . The Duchy of Brabant was a feudal elevation of the since 1085/1086 existing title of Landgrave of Brabant...
(Duc de Brabant/Hertog van Brabant).
Note:
- Stéphanie zu Windisch-GraetzPrincess Stephanie of Windisch-GraetzPrincess Stéphanie of Windisch-Graetz was the daughter of Prince Otto Weriand of Windisch-Grätz and Archduchess Elisabeth Marie of Austria , only child of Crown Prince Rudolf of Austria and Princess Stéphanie of Belgium.Her full name was Stéphanie Eleonore Maria Elisabeth Kamilla Philomena...
(1909–2005) belonged to the Belgian Nobility. - Carl Bernadotte, Duke of Ostergotland, (1911–2003) brother of Queen Astrid of the BelgiansAstrid of SwedenAstrid of Sweden was Queen of the Belgians as the wife of King Leopold III.-Early life:Princess Astrid of Sweden was born in Stockholm on 17 November 1905...
. When Prince Carl married Countess Elsa von Rosen on July 6, 1937 at Kvillinge, Sweden, he had to relinquish his succession rights to the Swedish throne and his royal titles. His brother-in-law King Leopold III of BelgiumLeopold III of BelgiumLeopold III reigned as King of the Belgians from 1934 until 1951, when he abdicated in favour of the Heir Apparent,...
conferred upon him the title Prince Bernadotte in the Belgian nobility on the same date, with the right to the title of Count or Countess for his male-line descendants. - King Albert IIAlbert II of BelgiumAlbert II is the current reigning King of the Belgians, a constitutional monarch. He is a member of the royal house "of Belgium"; formerly this house was named Saxe-Coburg-Gotha...
was called Prince of Liège (Prince de Liège / Prins van Luik) before his accession to the throne. - Some noble families with foreign origins, such as the Shin de Pyeongsan family (in Korea, the Pyeongsan Shin clanPyeongsan Shin clanThe Pyeongsan Shin clan is an aristocratic yangban clan which originates from Korea. The clan was key in helping the foundation of the Goryeo Kingdom in the 10th century...
), are princely in nature but are not official princely houses of Belgium.
Ducal houses
Members of the following houses bear the title of DukeDuke
A duke or duchess is a member of the nobility, historically of highest rank below the monarch, and historically controlling a duchy...
(Duc in French
French language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
,Hertog in Dutch
Dutch language
Dutch is a West Germanic language and the native language of the majority of the population of the Netherlands, Belgium, and Suriname, the three member states of the Dutch Language Union. Most speakers live in the European Union, where it is a first language for about 23 million and a second...
). It's the second highest title in rank and was never granted by the Kingdom of Belgium. The origin of the titles thus goes back to an earlier date. Higher than prince in some families (Arenberg, Croy, Ursel, Beaufort-Spontin, Looz-Corswarem)
- de CroÿCroyCroy may refer to:*Croy, Switzerland, a municipality in the canton of Vaud*One of several communities in Scotland, including:**Croy, Highland**Croy, North Lanarkshire*The House of Croÿ, an ancient and wealthy family originating in Belgium...
-Solre - de Looz-Corswarem and de Corswarem-Looz
- de Beaufort-Spontin
- d'ArenbergHouse of ArenbergThe House of Arenberg is an aristocratic lineage that is constituted by three successive families who took their name from Arenberg, a small principality of the Holy Roman Empire in the Eifel. The inheritance of the House of Croÿ-Aarschot made the Arenbergs the most influential and most wealthy...
- d'Ursel
Also, the dynastic title Duke of Brabant
Duke of Brabant
The Duchy of Brabant was formally erected in 1183/1184. The title "Duke of Brabant" was created by the German Emperor Frederick Barbarossa in favor of Henry I, son of Godfrey III of Leuven . The Duchy of Brabant was a feudal elevation of the since 1085/1086 existing title of Landgrave of Brabant...
is used by the Crown Prince. At this moment the Belgian Crown Prince Philip is Duke of Brabant.
Margraval houses
Members of 11 families bear the title of MarquessMarquess
A marquess or marquis is a nobleman of hereditary rank in various European peerages and in those of some of their former colonies. The term is also used to translate equivalent oriental styles, as in imperial China, Japan, and Vietnam...
.
- de Beauffort - (only the head of the house, the other are count/countess)
- Clerix
- de Mérode (Marquess of WesterloWesterloWesterlo is a municipality located in the Belgian province of Antwerp. The municipality comprises seven towns:- Westerlo centrum - Oevel - Tongerlo - Heultje...
, created in 1626 by king Philip IV of SpainPhilip IV of SpainPhilip IV was King of Spain between 1621 and 1665, sovereign of the Spanish Netherlands, and King of Portugal until 1640...
only the head of the house in addition to the title of Prince) - de Trazegnies
- du Parc Locmaria - (only the head of the house, the other are count/countess)
- Imperiali des Princes de Francavilla
- de Radiguès de Chenneviere
- Ruffo de Bonneval de la Fare
- van der Noot (Marquess of AsscheAsseAsse is a municipality located in the Belgian province of Flemish Brabant. The municipality comprises the towns of Asse proper, Bekkerzeel, Kobbegem, Mollem, Relegem and Zellik. On January 1, 2006 Asse had a total population of 29,191...
) - d'Yve - (only the head of the house, the other are count/countess)
- van Tongerloo d'Effaye
Counts
CountCount
A count or countess is an aristocratic nobleman in European countries. The word count came into English from the French comte, itself from Latin comes—in its accusative comitem—meaning "companion", and later "companion of the emperor, delegate of the emperor". The adjective form of the word is...
is the highest-ranked title still granted by the Belgian King.
There are roughly 90 families in Belgium whose members bear the title of Count or Countess:
- Cornet d'Elzius du Chenoy
- Cornet de Ways Ruart
- d'Alcantara di Quirieu
- d'Ansembourg
- d'Arschot Schoonhoven
- d'Aspremont Lynden
- de Baillet-Latour
- de Beauffort
- du Bois d'Aische
- de Borchgrave d'AltenaDe Borchgrave d'AltenaDe Borchgrave d'Altena is the name of a noble family from 's-Hertogenbosch and the County of Flanders.-History:According to family tradition, the ancestors of this house were Viscounts of Castle Altena. This fact is not certain, however it is worth noting that the family already claimed in the...
- de Bousies Borluut
- de Briey
- de Brouchoven de Bergeyck
- de Brouchoven de Bergeyck de Namur d'Elzée
- de Broqueville
- de Bury et de Bocarmé (since 1750, see Henry Robert Visart de Bury et de BocarméHenry de BuryColonel Count Henry Robert Visart de Bury et de Bocarmé C.B.E. was an officer, member of the Belgian nobility, academic, and Director of Canadian Ordnance Services, France. He was born in Constance, Germany, June 11, 1872...
) - de FicquelmontHouse of FicquelmontNine-century-old high nobility Lorrainerinct family ranking among the prominent of the Holy Roman Empire, Lorraine, Austria and Hungary, France, Russia and Belgium.-Origins:...
- d'Hanins de Moerkerke
- de Hemptinne, (since 1886)
- de Kerchove de Denterghem
- de Lalaing
- de Lannoy
- de Launois
- de Lichtervelde
- de Limburg Stirum
- de Marnix de Sainte Aldegonde Currently the 7th count.
- de Meeus d'Argenteuil
- de Menton du Plessis
- de Mercy-Argenteau-d'Ochain
- de Norman et d'Audenhove
- d'Oultremont de Duras
- d'Oultremont de Wégimont et de Warfusé
- de Patoul (other family members are Knights)
- de Pret Roose de Calesberg (head of the family is Count, the others are Écuyer)
- de Ramaix
- de Renesse
- de Robiano
- RyckmansPierre Ryckmans (Congo)Pierre Ryckmans was a Belgian civil servant and Governor-general of the Belgian colony of Congo from 1934 to 1946.-Early Life and Family:...
, granted in 1962 (hereditary title) - de t'Serclaes de Wommersom
- de Smet de Naeyer - V
- d'Udekem d'Acoz
- du Chastel de la Howarderie
- HarmelCounts of HarmelThe Count of Harmel is a member of the hereditary nobility of Belgium.-Creation 1991:* Pierre Charles José Marie Harmel, Count Harmel was a Belgian lawyer, politician and diplomat, who served eight months as Prime Minister of Belgium...
, granted in 1991 (hereditary title) - Forrier de Savoye
- Goblet d'AlviellaHouse of Goblet d'AlviellaThe Goblet d'Alviella* Félix, Count Goblet d'Alviella was a Belgian lawyer, director of the Revue de Belgique, alderman and Olympic fencer. He was married to Eva Boël , and was the father of Jean Goblet d'Alviella...
- Goethals de Mude de Nieuwland
- le Grelle
- Lehon
- LippensMaurice Lippens (governor)Maurice Eugène Auguste, Count Lippens , was governor of Belgian Congo from 30 January 1921 until 24 January 1923....
- t'Kint de Roodenbeke
- O'Kelly de Galway
- van der Burch
- van der Stegen de Putte
- van der Stegen de Schrieck
- van der Straten-Ponthoz
- van de WerveVan de Wervevan de Werve is a surname, and may refer to:* Augustin van de Werve , baron of Lichtaert* Charles-Augustin van de Werve , baron of Rielen* Charles-Bernard van de Werve , Lord of Giessen-Oudkerk...
- Woeste
The titles Count of Hainault and Count of Flanders
Count of Flanders
The Count of Flanders was the ruler or sub-ruler of the county of Flanders from the 9th century until the abolition of the position by the French revolutionaries in 1790....
are used as dynastic titles for members of the Royal Family.
Viscounts
There are roughly 45 families in Belgium whose members bear the title of viscountViscount
A viscount or viscountess is a member of the European nobility whose comital title ranks usually, as in the British peerage, above a baron, below an earl or a count .-Etymology:...
s in Belgium (Vicomte in French
French language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
/Burggraaf in Dutch
Dutch language
Dutch is a West Germanic language and the native language of the majority of the population of the Netherlands, Belgium, and Suriname, the three member states of the Dutch Language Union. Most speakers live in the European Union, where it is a first language for about 23 million and a second...
). It is a one of the highest titles granted by the King.
- de Baré de Comogne
- de Biolley
- du Bus de Warnaffe
- Davignon
- Eyskens, since 1973 (hereditary title)
- FrimoutDirk FrimoutDirk Dries David Damiaan, Viscount Frimout is an astrophysicist for the European Space Agency. He flew aboard NASA Space Shuttle mision STS-45 as a payload specialist, making him the first Belgian in space....
- Jolly
- de Jonghe d'Ardoye
- Nachtegaele
- de Lantsheere
- PoulletProsper PoulletProsper Antoine Marie Joseph, Viscount Poullet was a Belgian politician.Born in Leuven, Poullet studied law at the Catholic University of Leuven and was later a professor at the university. He was of member of K.A.V...
- PrigogineIlya PrigogineIlya, Viscount Prigogine was a Russian-born naturalized Belgian physical chemist and Nobel Laureate noted for his work on dissipative structures, complex systems, and irreversibility.-Biography :...
- Simonis
- de Spoelberch
- TerlindenTerlindenTerlinden is a noble family of the Kingdom of Belgium with origins in Germany and established in the Spanish Netherlands around 1580. Their titles are Viscounts and Barons....
- Vilain XIIII
- van de Werve d'ImmerseelVan de Wervevan de Werve is a surname, and may refer to:* Augustin van de Werve , baron of Lichtaert* Charles-Augustin van de Werve , baron of Rielen* Charles-Bernard van de Werve , Lord of Giessen-Oudkerk...
- de WinneFrank De WinneFrank, Viscount De Winne is a Belgian Air Component officer and an ESA astronaut. He is Belgium's second person in space . He was the first ESA astronaut to command a space mission when he served as commander of ISS Expedition 21.-Education:De Winne graduated in 1979 from the Royal School of Cadets...
Barons
More than 300 individuals bear the title of BaronBaron
Baron is a title of nobility. The word baron comes from Old French baron, itself from Old High German and Latin baro meaning " man, warrior"; it merged with cognate Old English beorn meaning "nobleman"...
or Baron
Baron
Baron is a title of nobility. The word baron comes from Old French baron, itself from Old High German and Latin baro meaning " man, warrior"; it merged with cognate Old English beorn meaning "nobleman"...
ess. This title is often granted by the King.
Members of the following families bear the title.
- Allard
- d'Anethan
- de Beco
- de Bethune
- Beyens
- du Bois de Nevele
- Bonaert
- de Bakker
- de Bonhome
- de Bonvoisin
- de Borrekens
- van Blommestein
- de Brouwer
- van den Branden de Reeth
- van der Bruggen
- van Caloen
- de Cartier d'Yves
- Clerix
- Cogels
- de Coninck
- Coppens d'Eeckenbrugge
- de Crombrugghe de Picquendaele, de Crombrugghe de Schipsdaele, de Crombrugghe de Looringhe
- Cardon de Lichtbuer
- van Dievoet
- van Eyll
- de Coninck de Merckem
- de Favereau
- de Fierlant
- de Herckenrode, since 1846
- d'Huart
- Delberke
- Descantons de Montblanc
- Dessain
- Dillemans
- Donny
- van Eetvelde
- Empain
- Evain
- Fallon
- Fredericq
- de Gerlache de Gomery
- Gericke d'Herwynen
- Goethals
- Goffinet
- Greindl
- Groothaert
- Guillaume
- Holvoet
- Houtart
- van Houtte
- Iweins de Wavrans
- Jacobs
- de Jamblinne de Meux
- JanssenPaul JanssenPaul Adriaan Jan, Baron Janssen was the founder of Janssen Pharmaceutica, a pharmaceutical company with over 20,000 employees. In 2005 he finished as runner up, after Father Damien, in the poll for The Greatest Belgian organized by the regional Flemish television...
- Jolly
- de Kerchove
- Kervyn d'Oud Mooreghem, Kervyn de Volkaersbeke, and Kervyn de Lettenhove
- Kronacker
- Lambermont, since 1863
- Liebaert
- de Martial de Frandeux
- de Meester de Ravenstein
- MerckxEddy MerckxEdouard Louis Joseph, Baron Merckx , better known as Eddy Merckx, is a Belgian former professional cyclist. The French magazine Vélo called him "the most accomplished rider that cycling has ever known." The American publication, VeloNews, called him the greatest and most successful cyclist of all...
- Minnebo
- Muijsson
- de Moreau
- Moyersoen
- Nicaise
- Nicolet
- NothombJean-Baptiste NothombJean Baptiste, Baron Nothomb was a Belgian statesman and diplomat, the sixth Prime Minister.-Revolution:...
- Orban de Xivry
- de Pitteurs Hiegaerts
- de Potesta, de Potesta de Waleffe
- Prisse
- Pycke, Pycke de Peteghem and Pycke de Ten Aerde
- de Radzitzky d'Ostrowick
- de Rennette de Villers-Perwin
- Ruzette
- de Sadeleers
- de Sélys Longchamps
- de Spot
- van der Smissen
- Snoy
- van der Straten Waillet
- de Streel
- Surlet de Chokier
- Surmont de Courtrécy
- Surmont de Volsberghe
- Surmont ter Straeten
- Terlinden (also Viscounts)
- t' Kint de Roodenbeke
- Theodore (Baron de Calwaert)
- Tibbaut
- de Tornaco
- de Villenfagne de Vogelsanck
- de Vinck de Winnezeele
- de Vriere
- van der (vander) Kemnade
- Vaxelaire
- Wahis
- van de Werve de SchildeVan de Wervevan de Werve is a surname, and may refer to:* Augustin van de Werve , baron of Lichtaert* Charles-Augustin van de Werve , baron of Rielen* Charles-Bernard van de Werve , Lord of Giessen-Oudkerk...
- Woot de Trixhe
- Whenttnall
- de Wykerslooth de Rooyensteyn
- van Zuylen de Gaesebeke
- van Zuylen van Nijevelt
Knights
In Belgium there are roughly 200 knightKnight
A knight was a member of a class of lower nobility in the High Middle Ages.By the Late Middle Ages, the rank had become associated with the ideals of chivalry, a code of conduct for the perfect courtly Christian warrior....
s (Chevalier in French
French language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
/ Ridder in Dutch
Dutch language
Dutch is a West Germanic language and the native language of the majority of the population of the Netherlands, Belgium, and Suriname, the three member states of the Dutch Language Union. Most speakers live in the European Union, where it is a first language for about 23 million and a second...
). There is no female equivalent for the title; the wife of a knight usually takes the title of " lady".
- Dirix
- Fauvage
- de Gaesebeke
- de Ghellinck
- Huyghens
- de Mahieu ( only the family head)
- du Mortier
- Lannoo
- Raes
- Rosseeuw
- de Sauvage
- de Schaetzen
- de Spot
- de Theux de Meylandt et Montjardin
- de Wouters d'Oplinter
- le Clément de Saint-Marcq
- Van der Eecken
- van Havre
- van Outryve d'Ydewalle
Noble families without a title
Nobles without a title can call themselves Écuyer (FrenchFrench language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
for shield bearer or squire) or Jonkheer
Jonkheer
Jonkheer is a Dutch honorific of nobility.-Honorific of nobility:"Jonkheer" or "Jonkvrouw" is literally translated as "young lord" or "young lady". In medieval times such a person was a young and unmarried son or daughter of a high ranking knight or nobleman...
(Dutch
Dutch language
Dutch is a West Germanic language and the native language of the majority of the population of the Netherlands, Belgium, and Suriname, the three member states of the Dutch Language Union. Most speakers live in the European Union, where it is a first language for about 23 million and a second...
, literally meaning 'Young Lord'). The female equivalent of Jonkheer is Jonkvrouw. Écuyer however has no female equivalent. The titles Jonkheer and Jonkvrouw are roughly equivalent in meaning to "Sir" or "Dame", but not a common translation. Écuyer is equivalent to "esquire" except that the latter may be used for any Englishman.
There are thousands of untitled noble families in Belgium. These noble families lack an official Belgian family title for various reasons. The most common reason is that they were Écuyer, as described above, and were therefore noble only through their close link with the titled aristocracy. Another common reason is that some titles could only be taken over by a certain number of family members (e.g. the eldest), so that the rest of the family became untitled, though essentially still made part of the Belgian nobility. A third reason is that some aristocrats voluntarily relinquished their title in order to perform commercial activities, as described above.
Below is a non-exhaustive list of untitled noble families in Belgium:
- Agie de Selsaeten
- Anciaux Henry de Faveaux
- Anne de Molina
- Annez de Taboada
- André-Dumont
- Arrazola de Oñate
- Bauchau
- Beaucarne d'Eenaeme
- Beeckmans de West-Meerbeeck
- du Bois de Vroylande
- Cardon de Lichtbuer
- Carton de Tournay
- Claeys Boüüaert (Claeys Boùùaert)
- Coart
- Cogels
- Coget
- Coomans de Brachène
- de Cock
- de Coninck
- d'Andrimont
- de Barsy
- de Bauer
- van Dievoet
- de Francquen
- de la Croix d'Ogimont
- de La Hamayde & de La Hamaide
- de Roye van Wichen ( de Roye de Wichen)
- de Smet de Naeyer
- de Mahieu ( for the rest of the family )
- de Meester (de Meester de Ravestein, de Meester de Betzenbroeck, de Meester de Heyndonck)
- de Wautier
- Demeure de Lespaul
- Duquesne Watelet de la Vinelle
- van der Essen
- Ernst de la Graete
- Geelhand de Merxem
- Gilliot
- Guyot de Mishaegen
- Hermanns
- Hendrickx van den Bosch
- Janssen
- t'Kint de Roodebeke
- Lantonnois van Rode
- Leman
- Matthieu de Wynendale, sinds 1957
- Maus de Rolley
- Mertens de Wilmars
- Monnoyer de Galland de Carnières
- Moretus Plantin de Bouchout
- Nolf
- Peltzer
- Plissart de Brandignies
- Serné
- Spruyt
- Terlinden
- Thibaut de Maisières
- Uyttenhove
- van Ackere
- Vandive
- van den Hecke de Lembeke
- Vander Elst
- Van der Meersch
- van Neste
- van Wassenhove
- Wittouck
- Woronoff
Foreign Noble Families residing in Belgium
In addition to the families mentioned above, a number of noble families originated from outside BelgiumBelgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
, but have since obtained Belgian nationality after residing for a long time (sometimes for many generations) in Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
. Most of these families have come from neighbouring European monarchies (France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, Holland, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
) at various stages of history. These have usually (but not always) asked for equivalent nobility titles within the Kingdom of Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
, which were typically granted.
A number of noble families residing in Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
originate beyond the current European Union
European Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
borders (Russia) or even outside Europe Korea
Korea
Korea ) is an East Asian geographic region that is currently divided into two separate sovereign states — North Korea and South Korea. Located on the Korean Peninsula, Korea is bordered by the People's Republic of China to the northwest, Russia to the northeast, and is separated from Japan to the...
, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
. Many of these families used to possess nobility titles in their country of origin, which have not always been converted into official Belgian nobility titles. In some cases, some families did not want a Belgian title because they hoped their stay in Belgium would be only temporary. This was the case for many Russian nobles, who were exiled after the October Revolution
October Revolution
The October Revolution , also known as the Great October Socialist Revolution , Red October, the October Uprising or the Bolshevik Revolution, was a political revolution and a part of the Russian Revolution of 1917...
.
In other cases, some families did not make the request for conversion either by pride or because the cultural differences make such conversions less obvious. One such example is the Sagangong branch of the Korean Pyeongsan Shin clan family, which has resided in Belgium since 1974.
Despite being of foreign origins, the above noble families belong fully to the Belgian elite and many are well integrated into the society. Many of these families have been in Belgium for so long, intermarrying with Belgian nobility, that they are more Belgian than foreign in blood (e.g. de Lobkowicz
Lobkowicz
The Lobkowicz family is one of the oldest still existing Bohemian noble families dating back to the 14th century...
, de Radiguès de Chenneviere, Arrazola de Oñate). Moreover, the family names have often been frenchified by adding particles such as de.
Further reading
Footnotes
- M. Siegenbeek, "Levensbericht van P.C.G. baron de Coninck", in: Handelingen van de Maatschappij der Nederlandse Letterkunde, 1827