{{Short description|Dutch noble family}} {{Infobox noble house |surname = van Heeckeren |type = noble family |coat of arms = 200px|Coat of arms |country = Netherlands |founded = 15th century |founder = Jakob van Heker }}
'''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,<ref>[http://www.meertens.knaw.nl/nfb/detail_naam.php?gba_naam=van+Heeckeren&nfd_naam=Heeckeren%2C+van&info=documentatie&operator=ew&taal= van Heeckeren]</ref> which was also referred to in 1167 as ''Hecerna''.<ref>[http://gtb.inl.nl/iWDB/search?actie=article&wdb=VMNW&id=ID14238&lemmodern=Ekeren&Betekenis_id=A14238 Ekeren]</ref>
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.
==Gallery== <gallery> Reproductie van tekening door J.de Beyer - Laren - 20129075 - RCE.jpg|The Nettelhorst estate, painted by J. de Beyer in 1743. Huis molecaten.jpg|Molecaten estate owned by the Heeckeren family </gallery>
==See also== *Huis te Ruurlo
==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).
==References== {{Reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Heeckeren van}} Category:Surnames Category:Dutch noble families Category:Dutch barons