Van Zuylen van Nijevelt


Van Zuylen van Nijevelt ( is a noble family from the region of Rotterdam, town and region where several members of the family played a significant role. The head of the family is the Count van Zuylen van Nijevelt; the rest of the family bears the title baron or baroness.
This family must not be confused with the old noble family from Utrecht, Van Zuylen van Nievelt

Origins

During the 19th century members of this family tried to prove that they were descendants of the Utrecht noble family. This has later been found impossible to prove.
Their genealogy starts with a merchant in hosiery trade Van Zuylen. Later they added 'Van Nijevelt' at the time when they had become affluent and accomplished important duties in Rotterdam. 1848 they added "Van De Weyer", because of a familial marriage.
Philip Julius van Zuylen van Nijevelt, senator, was made comte de l'Empire dd. 17 maart 1811. Several of his brothers were made baron de l'Empire in 1813.
Under the United kingdom of the Netherlands, several royal decrees, between 1815–1822, confirmed the noble status of the family. In 1822 the chief of the family was made a count and all other members baron and baroness.

Personalities

The family has canting arms: zuil is the Dutch word for column. Hence, the coat of arm depicts three columns. It seems to have been copied from the arms of the van Zuylen van Nievelt family from Utrecht.

Literature