Country Netherlands,
Belgium Founded 13th century | Titles Baron Ethnicity Dutch | |
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Founder Fredericus van Hekeren van der Ese | ||
Van Voorst tot Voorst is an old Dutch noble family from the Dutch province of Overijssel.
Contents
History
The family was already noble from earliest times ("Uradel"). The first documented ancestor is Fredericus van Hekeren van der Ese (in 1295), who was an adviser to Reginald II of Guelders. His grandson Frederik van Heeckeren van der Eze (1320-ca. 1386) was the head of the Heeckerens faction during the War of the Guelderian Succession. Through his marriage with Lutgardis van Voorst, whose ancestors owned both the castle Rechteren near Dalfsen as well as the castle Voorst near Zwolle, the surname van Voorst entered the family. In 1432, Frederik's grandson, Frederik van Hekeren genaamd van Rechteren († 1462), married Cunegonde van Polanen. Their son, Zeger van Hekeren genaamd van Voorst, became the ancestor of the present-day family van Voorst tot Voorst. Zeger's brother, Otto van Hekeren genaamd van Rechteren († 1478), became the ancestor of the counts of van Rechteren. The van Heeckeren family is related to both families.
During the nineteenth and twentieth century, the family produced several high-ranking officers of the Dutch army, Commissioners of the Queen, diplomats and members of the House of Representatives and Senate. Members carry the title of baron.
One branch belongs to the Belgian nobility: the children from the second marriage of Franciscus baron van Voorst tot Voorst (1884-1955) with jkvr. (Belgian: viscountess ) Antoinette van Aefferden (1895-1976) were incorporated into the Belgian Nobility based on the Royal decree of 1814.
Notable members of the family
Coat of arms
The coat of arms consists of three red chevrons on a field of gold. This coat of arms is depicted in the medieval Gelre Armorial (folio 88v and 101v).