Van Heeckeren

Van Heeckeren is an old Dutch noble family from the Dutch provinces Overijssel and Gelderland.

History
The earliest bearer of the name may have taken it from the town of Ekeren, which was also referred to in 1167 as Hecerna.

The oldest known ancestor is Jakob van Heker, who died in 1440. The family is split into many branches (van Brandsenburg, van Kell, van Molecaten). The Heeckerens have the same coat of arms as the Rechteren family. Members carry the title of baron.

Famous members

 * Georges-Charles de Heeckeren d'Anthès (through adoption), politician who killed Alexander Pushkin in a duel.
 * Jacob van Heeckeren tot Enghuizen, diplomat.
 * Jacob Derk Carel van Heeckeren, politician.

Literature

 * Dr. D.P.M. Graswinckel en Mr. H. Hardenberg, 'Het Archief van het Kasteel Rechteren' (Zaltbommel, 1941).
 * A.F.H. van Heeckeren,'Genealogie van de geslachten Van Voorst, Van Heeckeren, Van Rechteren' in: Heraldieke Bibliotheek (1876).
 * Prof. Dr. J.G.N. Renaud et al., 'Het kasteel Voorst- Macht en val van een Overijsselse burcht' (Zwolle, 1983).