Current region United States | Place of origin Netherlands | |
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Connected families Schuyler family
Bayard family
Livingston family
Van Cortlandt family Estate Fort Crailo
Manor of Rensselaerswyck
Jacob R. Van Rensselaer House | ||
The Van Rensselaer was a prominent Dutch family in New York in the 17th and 18th centuries, whose descendants played a critical role in the formation of the United States, in leading government and business in North America, and served as leaders in business, politics and society.
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History
The Van Rensselaer family is of Dutch origin. The Van Rensselaers originally emigrated from the Netherlands to a large area along the Hudson River in the present day area of Albany, New York. The Van Rensselaers and other patroons named this young colony New Netherland. Many members of the family have been active in politics and in the military.
Herman Melville descended from the Van Rensselaer family. In his novel Moby-Dick he wrote about it in the first chapter:
"It touches one's sense of honor, particularly if you come of an old established family in the land, the Van Rensselaers, or Randolphs, or Hardicanutes."