Van Heemstra is a family that belongs to the

Dutch nobility The Dutch nobility is a small elite social class constisting of individuals or families recognized as noble, and with or without a title of nobility in the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The existence of nobility was established in the Constitution ...

History

The family is of Frisian origin. The genealogy of the family begins with ''Taecke Obbema Heemstra'', mentioned as a voting representative (nobleman) in Oostergo in 1492. After the founding of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in November 1813, the Frisian nobility was integrated. In 1814 the Van Heemstra family was recognized as belonging to Dutch nobility with the title of

baron Baron is a rank of nobility or title of honour, often hereditary, in various European countries, either current or historical. The female equivalent is baroness. Typically, the title denotes an aristocrat who ranks higher than a lord or knig ...

Notable members

Schelto van Heemstra Schelto, Baron van Heemstra (14 November 1807 – 20 December 1864) was a Dutch politician. He was Prime Minister from 1861 to 1862. Van Heemstra was born in Groningen, the son of politician Willem Hendrik van Heemstra and Johanna Balthazarina ...

(1804–1864), Dutch politician. *

Aarnoud van Heemstra Aarnoud Jan Anne Aleid, Baron van Heemstra (22 July 1871 – 30 December 1957) was a Dutch nobleman, jurist and politician. He served as mayor of Arnhem between 1910 and 1920, and Governor-General of Suriname from 1921 until 1928. Van Heems ...

(1871–1957), Dutch lawyer and politician. *

Ella van Heemstra Baroness Ella van Heemstra, (12 June 190026 August 1984) was a Dutch-British aristocrat and the mother of actress Audrey Hepburn. After her marriage to Joseph Victor Anthony Ruston, she became a British citizen. Biography Ella van Heemstra w ...

(1900–1984), Dutch-British socialite and mother of

Audrey Hepburn Audrey Hepburn (born Audrey Kathleen Ruston; 4 May 1929 – 20 January 1993) was a British actress and humanitarian. Recognised as both a film and fashion icon, she was ranked by the American Film Institute as the AFI's 100 Years...100 Stars, t ...

. *

(4 May 1929 – 20 January 1993), Belgian-born British actress, humanitarian and presenter. *

(born 1941), Dutch diplomat and ambassador

Coat of arms

The coat of arms of the family is in blue a golden eagle.

References

Literature

* T. Voerman, ''Van Heemstra, genealogische aantekeningen betreffende het geslacht van Heemstra tot het eind der 19e eeuw'', Amsterdam, 1989. * ''Nederlands Adelsboek, jaargang 84'', The Hague, 1994. Dutch-language surnames Dutch noble families {{Europe-noble-stub