| van Voorst tot Voorst | |
|---|---|
| Noble family | |
 Coat of arms | |
| Country |  Netherlands, Belgium |
| Founded | 13th century |
| Founder | Fredericus van Hekeren van der Ese |
| Titles | Baron |
The van Voorst tot Voorst family is an old Dutch noble family from the province of Overijssel.
The family has been noble since at least the 14th century ("Uradel"). The first documented ancestor is Fredericus van Hekeren van der Ese (in 1327). His son Frederik van Heeckeren van der Eze (1320 – c. 1386) was the head of the Heeckerens faction during the War of the Guelderian Succession.[1] Through his marriage with Lutgardis van Voorst, whose ancestors owned both the castle Rechteren near Dalfsen as well as the castle Voorst near Zwolle, the surname van Voorst entered the family.[1] In 1432, Frederik's grandson, Frederik van Hekeren genaamd van Rechteren († 1462), married Cunegonde van Polanen.[1] Their son, Zeger van Hekeren genaamd van Voorst, became the ancestor of the present-day family van Voorst tot Voorst. Zeger's brother, Otto van Hekeren genaamd van Rechteren († 1478), became the ancestor of the counts of van Rechteren.[1]
During the 19th and 20th century, the family produced several high-ranking officers of the Dutch Army, Commissioners of the Queen, diplomats, as well as members of the House of Representatives and Senate. Members carry the title of baron.
One branch belongs to Belgian nobility: the children from the second marriage of Franciscus baron van Voorst tot Voorst (1884 – 1955) with jkvr. (Belgian: viscountess) Antoinette van Aefferden (1895 – 1976) were incorporated into the Belgian nobility based on a royal decree of 1814.[2]
The coat of arms consists of three red chevrons on a field of gold.[3] This coat of arms is depicted in the medieval Gelre Armorial (folio 88v[4] and 101v[5]).
