Neergaard (noble family)

The de Neergaard family is a Danish noble family descended from War Councillor Peter Johansen Neergaard, whose two sons Jens Bruun de Neergaard (1742–1788) and Johan Thomas de Neergaard (1745–1806) were ennobled on 31 May 1780. Descendants of Jens Bruun de Neergaard are referred to as the 'elder branch', whereas descendants of Johan Thomas de Neergaard are referred to as the 'younger branch'.

The elder branch
Jens Bruun de Neergaard inherited Svenstrup from his father in 1763. He married Ane Marie Møller (23 March 1743 – 23 October 1802). They had four children:
 * Jens Peter Bruun de Neergaard (7 December 1764 – 7 January 1842)
 * Johan Andreas Bruun de Neergaard (4 August 1770 – 2 July 1846)
 * Tønnes Christian Bruun de Neergaard (26 November 1776 – 14 January 1824)
 * Ellen Cathrine Kirstine Bruun de Neergaard (19 September 1777 – 19 July 1845)

The younger branch
Johan Thomas Neergaard inherited Ringsted Abbey. He married Anna Joachimine Qvistgaard (27 August 1750 – 5 January 1829). They had 11 children:
 * Peter Johansen de Neergaard (24 July 1769 – 9 January 1835)
 * Marie de Neergaard (January 1770 – ?)
 * Lucia Kirstine de Neergaard (5 February 1773 – 9 November 1817)
 * Jørgen de Neergaard (29 July 1775 – 27 February 1795)
 * Johan Michael de Neergaard (16 November 1776 – 26 July 1783)
 * Jacob de Neergaard (24 April 1778 – 19 October 1833)
 * Johanne Birgitte de Neergaard (1780 – 1790)
 * Mette Dorothea de Neergaard (1781 –1782)
 * Johan Michael de Neergaard (11 January 1784 – 9 August 1837)
 * Marie Christine Jacobæa Elisabeth de Neergaard (19 December 1789 – 21 August 1859)
 * Johanne (Hanne) Birgitte Mette Dorothea de Neergaard (29 March 1792 – 5 June 1824)

Insignia
The family's coat of arms features three ears of wheat penetrating a golden crown on a blue shield on which a laurel wreath is casually arranged; above the shield a helmet with a golden crown resting a braided wreath in blue and gold.

Landownership
Members of the de Neergaard family have been major landowners for generations. Estates that are currently owned by the de Neergaard family include: Svenstrup (since 1751), Gunderslevholm (since 1803), Førslevgaard (since 1803), Gyldenholm (since 1862), Valdemarskilde, and Løvegaard (since 1963).

Estates that have been owned by members of the family for several generations include: Kærup (1711–1804), Ringsted Abbey, Skjoldenæsholm, Fuglsang (1819–1947), and Tybjerggård.

Estates that have been owned by members of the family more briefly include: Tølløsegård, Bonderup, Merløsegaard, and Rønnebæksholm.

Notable family members

 * Bodil Neergaard (1867–1959), philanthropist and memoirist
 * Joachim de Neergaard (1877–1920), composer