Country Netherlands
Belgium Ethnicity Dutch | Founded 14th century | |
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The House of Lynden (van Lynden) is one of the oldest families of the Dutch nobility, originating in the Duchy of Guelders. This family later gave rise to different branches. Most remained in the Netherlands and gave several Dutch politicians, ministers and military leaders. One branch settled further south, in the Prince-Bishopric of Liège, several members of which became politicians, ministers, religious and military leaders serving Liège, the Holy Roman Empire, then Belgium.
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History of the family
The oldest van Lynden (Linde) is mentioned in the year 1307 ("Uradel"). The family takes it name from the village Lienden in the Dutch province of Gelderland. Since 1620 the van Lynden family ruled in the County of Rekem, a territory with Imperial immediacy in the Lower Rhenish–Westphalian Circle of the Holy Roman Empire, until it was seized by France in 1793. Count John Nepomuk Gobert of Aspremont-Lynden received Baindt Abbey as a compensation in 1802. During the 19th and 20th centuries the family produced several notable politicians. Members carry the title of baron or count.
Notable members
Heraldry
This coat of arms is depicted in the medieval Gelre Armorial (folio 89v).