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 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, representatives of the Seven ProvincesabjuredPhilip 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).
Van Hoensbroeck (this family left the Netherlands in the 19th century. Known in Germany as Graf von und zu Hoensbroech, the head of this family bears the titles of Marquis and Count von und zu Hoensbroech)
Van Eeden. The family was established in the 15th century from French, Belgian and Dutch ancestries in the province of South Holland. They acquired their status of nobility during the time of William III of Orange and became an influential families of the Dutch royal court. In the late 17th century the family branched out and migrated to Belgium and Germany. From the early 18th to 19th century, many members of the family emigrated and established themselves in North America and South Africa. The family no longer holds official lands or positions at the Dutch royal court or within the government. The current Marquise van Eeden resides in the United Kingdom.
Van Mijnsheerenland; The title (Dutch: Graaf) belongs to the family of the Marquess van Eeden, and is bestowed upon the eldest male heir. They also bear the titles of Viscount (Burggraaf) van Binnenmaas and in Belgium Baron van Moerkerken-Damme.
De Norman et d'Audenhove
Von Oberndorff
Van Oijen
Van Oranje-Nassau van Amsberg; members of this family are Count of Oranje-Nassau as well Jonkheer van Amsberg
Van Binnenmaas; The title (Dutch: Burggraaf) belongs to the family of the Marquess van Eeden, and is bestowed upon the eldest male heir. They also bear the titles of Count (Dutch: Graaf) van Mijnsheerenland and in Belgium Baron van Moerkerken-Damme.
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