De Graeff
De Graeff Graef, Graeff, De Graaff, De Graaf, De Graeff van Polsbroek | |
---|---|
Ilpenstein castle, Soestdijk Palace |
De Graeff (Dutch pronunciation: [də ˈɣraːf]; also: De Graef, Graef, Graeff, Graaff,[1] Graaf and De Graeff van Polsbroek) is a Dutch noble family.
The family divided into different lines, in
In 1677 members of the Amsterdam line were made knights of the Holy Roman Empire. Since 1885 the new founded Den Haag-line has been part of the Dutch nobility with the honorific of jonkheer.[3][4]
Origin
According to a family tradition, the family descends from the Austrian Lords
Historical and political Legacy
Cornelis de Graeff (1599-1664) said that the ancient Amsterdammers had no habit of keeping genealogical records of their families, and knew no more of their generation than what they have learned from their fathers and grandfathers. The dates of his own family in Amsterdam do not go back very far:
And first I'll start with the family de Graven from which I descended on my father's side. This is a family from Amsterdam, coming from the house 'de Keijser', that was located at the Waeter (= now Damrak No. 91). This house shows the impression of its vaulted appearance, owned by Jan Pieters de Graeff, and then by Dirck Jans de Graeff, who also sold this house. My father Jacob de Graeff and his brothers were also born here.[17]
Cornelis and his brother
Family lines
- Amsterdam line (so called main line, includes the Free Lords of Zuid-Polsbroek, Purmerland and Ilpendam)
Amsterdam line
Beginning
Pieter's line was continued by his only known son,
Dutch Golden Age
During the
During the two decades from the 1650 to the 1670s the De Graeff family had a leading role in the Amsterdam administration, the city was at the peak of its political power. This period was also referred to by Republicans as the ‘Ware Vrijheid’ (True Freedom). It was the First Stadtholderless Period which lasted from 1650 to 1672 during these twenty years, the regents from Holland and in particular those of Amsterdam, controlled the republic. Even without a stadtholder, things seemed to be going well for the Republic and its regents both politically and economically.[2]
In early 1671, Andries de Graeff was once again put forward as chief-mayor (regent) and managed to gain control with his Republican faction. During the winter of that year it seemed as if – at least in Amsterdam – the Republicans were winning. It was an exceptionally opportune moment to commission a monumental ceiling painting on Amsterdam's independent position for the ‘Sael’ of his mayor's residence. De Graeff had a clear message in mind for the ceiling painting: the ‘Ware Vrijheid’ of the Republic was only protected by the Republican regents of Amsterdam. The paintings by
Patrons of the arts
Throughout the Dutch Golden Age, the family sponsored art and architecture, and were responsible for the majority of Amsterdam art.
In 1660 Andries and his brother Cornelis de Graeff organized the
Cornelis' son
After the Golden Age
After the Amsterdam family De Graeff had lost their political importance in Rampjaar 1672, they were only able to establish themselves to a limited extent in Amsterdam and Dutch politics. During the 18th century, three more family members where part of the City administration, namely Johan de Graeff (1673-1714), Gerrit de Graeff (1711-1752) and Gerrit II de Graeff van Zuid-Polsbroek (1741-1811). During the 19th century the last one and his grandson, the manufacturer Gerrit IV de Graeff (1797–1870), where part of the Amsterdam government. In the 20th century, the family had completely disappeared from city politics, and the Hague Line had taken over the family's political and social leadership.
Nobility
In 1677,
, July 19, 1677:
Fide digis itegur genealogistarum Amsteldamensium edocti testimoniis te Andream de Graeff [Andries de Graeff] non paternum solum ex pervetusta in Comitatu nostro Tyrolensi von Graben dicta familia originem ducere, qua olim per quendam ex ascendentibus tuis ejus nominis in Belgium traducta et in Petrum de Graeff [Pieter Graeff], abavum, Johannem [Jan Pietersz Graeff], proavum, Theodorum [Dirck Jansz Graeff], avum, ac tandem Jacobum [Jacob Dircksz de Graeff], patrem tuum, viros in civitate, Amstelodamensi continua serie consulatum scabinatus senatorii ordinis dignitabitus conspicuos et in publicum bene semper meritos propagata nobiliter et cum splendore inter suos se semper gessaerit interque alios honores praerogativasque nobilibus eo locorum proprias liberum venandi jus in Hollandia, Frisiaque occidentale ac Ultrajectina provinciis habuerit semper et exercuerit.[39]
This title of Holy Empire knight only existed for one year, since both title holders died in the following year. When the Kingdom of the United Netherlands was established in 1815, the De Graeff family received no recognition or elevation to the new Dutch nobility, as Dutch historian and archivist Bas Dudok van Heel put it this way: In Florence families like Bicker and De Graeff would have been uncrowned princes. Here, in 1815, they should at least have been raised to the rank of count, but the southern Dutch nobility would not have put up with that. What you got here remained nothing half and nothing whole.[40] In 1885 Dirk de Graeff van Polsbroek received the new Dutch nobility with the predicate Jonkheer for himself and his descendants.[41] This noble branch still flourishes today.
Feudality

Like many other Dutch patrician families, the De Graeffs endeavored to adopt the way of life and the social appearance of the old dutch nobility and to be recognized by them as equals.
Jacob Dircksz de Graeff was one of the first Dutch regents to come into possession of such grandeur. In 1610 he bought the Free and high fief of Zuid-Polsbroek (hoge of vrije heerlijkheid Zuid-Polsbroek) for himself and his family from Charles de Ligne, prince Aremberg,[45] which at that time was no longer a fiefdom but was freely inheritable and sellable as an allod property.[46] Their acquisition increased the reputation and contributed to the aristocratization of the family, in which De Graeff and his heirs could be addressed as Vrijheer(en) van Zuid-Polsbroek ever since. Furthermore, in 1678 his grandson Jacob de Graeff inherited the Free or high Lordship of Purmerland and Ilpendam (hoge heerlijkheid van Purmerland en Ilpendam). The mansions of Zuid-Polsbroek, Purmerland and Ilpendam were owned by the De Graeff family until 1870.
Furthermore,
Coat of arms
The ancient (De) Graeff coat of arms shows the shovel from the Herren von Graben and the swan from the De Grebber family from Waterland (county of Holland). The inheritance of the Graben coat of arms is based on the (assumed) male descent of the Graeff-ancestor Pieter Graeff (born around 1450/60) from Wolfgang von Graben. The inheritance of the Grebber coat of arms on the female lineage of Pieter's wife Griet Pietersdr Berents of the 'Berents-De Grebber line'.
Symbols of the coat of arms:
- Shovel: Von Graben
- Swan: De Grebber and the 2nd one since the earlier 17th century stands for the Fief of Vredenhof
- Falcon: Fief of Valkenburg (Valckeveen)
- Rhombus: High Lordship of Zuid-Polsbroek
- Goose: High Lordship of Purmerland
- Lion: High Lordship of Ilpendam
-
Ancient coat of arms Graeff. The family coat of arms with the silver spade on a red (Von Graben) and silver swan on a blue background (De Grebber) was first documented in 1543 by Jan Pietersz Graeff.[47] (shovel and swan)
-
Coat of arms end 16th century (shovel and falcon)
-
Coat of arms variant 17th-century (shovel and falcon)
-
Coat of arms as Lord of Engelenburg. Since 1620,Heart shield, charged with a silver castle, from which emerges a rising silver angel with outspread wings.
-
Coat of arms as Free Lords of Zuid-Polsbroek, Purmerland and Ilpendam, 1678 creation (shovel, swan, goose, lion and rhombus)
-
Full coat of arms as Free Lords of Zuid-Polsbroek, 1610–1870 (shovel, swan resp goose and rhombus)
-
Full coat of arms as Imperial knights, 1677 (shovel and swan)
-
Full coat of arms as Free Lord of Zuid-Polsbroek, Purmerland and Ilpendam, 1690–1741 (shovel, swan, goose, lion and rhombus)
-
Coat of arms as Jonkheers De Graeff, 1885 (shovel and swan)
-
Matthias Laurenz Gräff and Karl von Habsburg, head of the House Habsburg-Lorraine, the former imperial and royal house of the Holy Roman Empire and Austria
Coat of arms Pieter de Graeff
The coat of arms of

- heart shield shows the three silver rhombuses on red (originally from the family Van Woerdern van Vliet) of the High Lordship Zuid-Polsbroek
- field 1 (left above) shows the silver shovel on red of their paternal ancestors, the Herren von Graben
- field 2 (right above) shows the silver swan on blue of the Fief Vredenhof or that one (Waterland) of one of their maternal ancestors, the De Grebber
- field 3 (left below) shows the silver goose in blue of Purmerland (High Lordship Purmerland and Ilpendam)
- field 4 (right below) shows the red and black lions on gold (the arms of the County of Holland) for Ilpendam (High Lordship Purmerland and Ilpendam) above a blue area
- shield holders are two silver swans
- helmet covers in red and silver
- helm adornment shows an upright silver spade with ostrich feathers (Herren von Graben)
- motto: MORS SCEPTRA LIGONIBUS AEQUAT (DEATH MAKES SEPTRES AND HOES EQUAL)
Other Dutch lines
Secondary lines split off from Jacob Jansz Graeff († ca. 1580), the youngest son of Jan Pietersz Graeff. These lived in the cities of Alblasserdam,[48] Alkmaar, Leiden and Delft, but could not gain influence like those who remained in Amsterdam. The best-known member was the Dutch Rear Admiral Albert Claesz de Graeff, a great-grandson of Jacob Jansz Graeff. It is not known whether there are still male descendants from these branches today.
There are also descendants of Jacob Jansz Graeff's († ca. 1580) illegitimate son Adriaan Jacobsz Graeff,[21] but nothing further is known about their life.
Dutch-Prussian line

Another branch of the family was based in Holland as well as in
South African line
The lineage in South Africa descends from Gerrit Arnold Theodoor de Graeff (b. 1831), a brother of Dirk de Graeff van Polsbroek. This line is still thriving today.[51]
The Hague line
Other lines and branches, also from the Amsterdam main line, are scattered throughout the Netherlands, such as The Hague line. This came from the important diplomat Dirk de Graeff van Polsbroek (1833-1916). He was Dutch Consul General and Minister-Resident to Japan and due his relationship with Emperor Meiji he laid the foundation for modern diplomatic representation in Japan of various European States. In 1885 he received the new Dutch nobility with the predicate Jonkheer for himself and his descendants.[41] This noble branch still flourishes today. Dirk's son was Andries Cornelis Dirk de Graeff, diplomat, minister and governor-general, who was able to continue the politically committed and successful tradition of his family in the 20th century. Various family members were also active in engineering, in the water authorities, as state inspectors and commissioners, directors, in court service at the Dutch royal court and as financial and company managers. Representatives of this are Dirk Georg de Graeff and Jan Jaap de Graeff.
Nobility
Some members of the line at The Hague belonged to the New Dutch nobility. In 1885 Dirk de Graeff van Polsbroek, originally from the Amsterdam branch, received the predicate Jonkheer for himself and his descendants.[41] This noble branch, descendanted from Dirk, still flourishes today.
See also
- De Graeff family tree
- Semisouverain fief of Zuid-Polsbroek
- Fief of Purmerend, Purmerland and Ilpendam
- Ilpenstein Castle
- Herengracht 573
- Soestdijk Palace
Notes
- ^ Der deutsche Herold: Zeitschrift für Wappen-, Siegel- u. Familienkunde, Band 3, p 91 (Berlin, 1872)
- ^ a b c d "Triumph of Peace". Archived from the original on 2012-03-01. Retrieved 2011-01-08.
- ^ Nederlands adelsboek, P. 69
- ^ Nederlands adelsboek (1914), p 14, 16
- ^ Genealogisches Taschenbuch der Ritter- u. Adels-Geschlechter, Band 3, p 229 (1870)
- ^ a b c Family De Graeff at the Nieuw Nederlandsch Biographisch Woordenboek, part II (dutch)
- ^ Von Graben Forschung (german)
- ^ Nederlands adelsboek 1914, p 14
- ^ Familienverband Gräff-Graeff e. V. (german, english)
- ^ Wörterbuch der deutschen Sprache in Beziehung auf Abstammung und Begriffsbildung, p 254, by Conrad Schwenck (1834)
- ^ Pieter C. Vies: Andries de Graeff (1611–1678) `t Gezagh is heerelyk: doch vol bekommeringen. p 5
- ^ De Neederlandse Leeuw, 1898, Genealogie van het geslacht "De Graeff", p 130
- ^ De vroedschap van Amsterdam 1578-1795, Teil 1, S. 85, von Johan Engelbert Elias (1963)
- ^ Genealogie Pauw, Persijn, de Jong, en Verhee. Von Thijs Postma
- ^ Vondels vers Aen den hooghedelen heer Pieter de Graef, vryheer van Zuitpolsbroek, op den oorsprongk van het geslagt der graven
- ^ Jaarboek van het Genootschap Amstelodamum, S. 46, 47 (1959)
- ^ DBNL, Amsterdamse burgemeesters zonder stamboom. De dichter Vondel en de schilder Colijns vervalsen geschiedenis, by S.A.C. Dudok van Heel, p 146 (1990)
- ^ DBNL, Amsterdamse burgemeesters zonder stamboom. De dichter Vondel en de schilder Colijns vervalsen geschiedenis, by S.A.C. Dudok van Heel, p 147 (1990)
- ^ a b c Genealogisches Taschenbuch der Ritter- u. Adels-Geschlechter, Band 3, p 229/230 (1870)
- ^ Ablasserdam.net. Column van Hennie van der Zouw, Wat heeft Alblasserdammer Jan Jacobsz de Graeff met Paleis Soestdijk te maken? (dutch)
- ^ a b De Neederlandse Leeuw, 1898, Genealogie van het geslacht "De Graeff", p 131
- ^ Google books: "Nederland’s patriciaat" (1911), book 2
- ^ Pedigree Jan Pieterszoon (de) Graeff
- ^ Nieuw Nederlandsch biografisch woordenboek. Deel 2: Jan Pietersz Graeff
- ^ a b Lenaert Jansz de Graeff in der DBNL
- ^ De Graeff (Monseigneur de Graeff van Brugge) at „DBNL“
- ^ De Opstand 1568-1648: De strijd in de Zuidelijke en Noordelijke Nederlanden, by Arnout van Cruyningen
- ^ Chronicles of the Dutch Republic 1567 - 1702, by Albert Valente
- ^ De erfenis van De Grote Geus, by Jaap van de Wal
- ^ S.A.C. Dudok van Heel: Van Amsterdamse burgers tot Europese aristocraten. Band 2, 2008, S. 974.
- ^ I.H. Eeghen: De restauratie van Herengracht 77. In: Maandblad Genootschap Amstelodamum (1968) S. 235.
- ^ The familial state: ruling families and merchant capitalism in early modern europe, p 101, by Julia Adams
- ^ Geert Mak, Die vielen Leben des Jan Six: Geschichte einer Amsterdamer Dynastie
- ^ a b c "Pieter Vis: Andries de Graeff (dutch)" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-03-01. Retrieved 2011-01-08.
- ^ Whittaker and Clayton: pp. 31–2 for the art, Gleissner for the furniture and yacht. The yacht was the gift of the Dutch East India Company, according to Liverpool Museums (with model) Archived July 29, 2010, at the Wayback Machine, or the City of Amsterdam according to other sources.
- ^ Het stempel van de bewoner (dutch)
- ^ Rudolf Granichstaedten-Czerva (1948): "Brixen - Reichsfürstentum und Hofstaat".
- ^ Google book search: Das Land Tirol: mit einem Anhange: Vorarlberg: ein Handbuch für Reisende. Von Beda Weber
- ^ Google books: Der deutsche Herold: Zeitschrift für Wappen-, Siegel- u. Familienkunde, Band 3, Seite 92 Nachrichten über die Familie de Graeff (German)
- ^ Geert Mak, Die vielen Leben des Jan Six: Geschichte einer Amsterdamer Dynastie: Geert Mak, Die vielen Leben des Jan Six: Geschichte einer Amsterdamer Dynastie
- ^ a b c Nederland’s Patriciaat, Jahrgang 2, 1911, p 171
- ^ Nierop: The nobility of Holland (1993), p 212ff.
- ^ Eric Palmen: De politieke elite. In: Willem Frijhoff u. a. (Hrsg.): Geschiedenis van Dordrecht. II, Verloren, Hilversum 1998, p 211–220, p 218. / Nierop: The nobility of Holland (1993), p 96ff.
- ^ Johan Philip de Monté ver Loren: Hoofdlijnen uit de ontwikkeling der rechterlijke organisatie in de Noordelijke Nederlanden tot de Bataafse omwenteling. 5. Auflage. Kluwer, Deventer 2000, p 172ff, p 176.
- ^ Het Utrechts Archief: "Archief van de heerlijkheid zuid-polsbroek 1424–1914". Archived from the original on 2010-03-18. Retrieved 2022-09-22., Verwerving van de heerlijkheid en andere goederen, Nr. 2, weist zu diesem Vorgang zwei Stücke (einen Umschlag und eine Urkunde) mit der Zeitangabe „1609, 1610“ aus. Das Datum 18. September 1610 ist Croockewit: Genealogie van het geslacht de Graeff. p 132, und Elias: De vroedschap van Amsterdam (1963), S. 266, entnommen.
- ^ J. L. van der Gouw: Korte geschiedenis van de grenzen van de provincie Zuid-Holland (1963), Kap. III: De definitieve vorm van het graafschap (1300–1795) Archived 2011-07-26 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "De wapens van de magistraten der stad Amsterdam sedert 1306 tot 1672", Band 1, S. 94. Von Pieter Anthony Johan van den Brandeler
- ^ alblasserdam.net. Kolumne von Hennie van der Zouw, Wat heeft Alblasserdammer Jan Jacobsz de Graeff met Paleis Soestdijk te maken?
- ^ Rietstap book of arms
- ^ "Armorial de JB RIETSTAP. De Graaff (De Graeff) in Prusse". Archived from the original on 2019-10-26. Retrieved 2019-02-11.
- ^ Nederland’s patriciaat (1911), book 2
Literature
- Burke, P. (1994). Venice and Amsterdam: A Study of Seventeenth-Century Élites.
- Israel, Jonathan I. (1995). The Dutch Republic: Its Rise, Greatness, and Fall 1477–1806. Clarendon Press, Oxford, ISBN 978-0-19-820734-4
- Rowen, Herbert H. (1986). John de Witt" Statesman of the "True Freedom". Cambridge University Press, ISBN 0-521-52708-2
- Zandvliet, Kees. De 250 rijksten van de Gouden Eeuw - Kapitaal, macht, familie en levensstijl (2006 Amsterdam; Nieuw Amsterdam Uitgevers)