House of Merode
The House of Merode is one of the most prominent families of the Belgian nobility. The House of Merode originates from the village of Merode (today in the municipality of Langerwehe, Germany). Over the last five centuries different branches bore noble titles and had estates on the territories of the modern states of Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, France and Austria. Through marriage the house is connected with many prominent European noble families. The House of Merode played an important role in the history of the Southern Netherlands and the Kingdom of Belgium.
| House of Merode de Mérode | |
|---|---|
| Noble family | |
D'or à quatre pals de gueules, à la bordure engrelée d'azur. | |
| Country | Germany Belgium Netherlands France Austria |
| Founder | Werner I von Merode 1195-1278 |
| Current head | Charles-Guillaume, Marquis de Westerloo, Prince de Rubempré et Grimberghen, Prince de Mérode (1940–) |
| Titles | Freiherr of Merode (1473) Baron of Duffel Baron of Frentz Baron of Pietersheim Baron of Ronse (Renaix) Viscount of Montfort Viscount of Wavreumont Count of Merode (Holy Roman Empire) Count de Merode (First French Empire) (1809) Count of Oignies (1647) Count of Waroux (1622) Marquess of Deinze (1632) Marquess of Trélon (1626) Marquess of Westerlo (1626, reconfirmed 1823) Grandee of Spain Prince of Everberg (reconfirmed 1823) Prince of Rubempré (1704 reconfirmed 1823) Prince of Grimbergen (reconfirmed 1827) Prince de Merode (1930) |
| Motto | « Plus d'honneur que d'honneurs » (More honour than honours) |
| Estate(s) | Schloss Merode Castle of Westerlo Hôtel de Mérode-Westerloo (Brussels) Hôtel de Mérode-Deynze (Brussels) Château d'Ancy-le-Franc Castle of Everberg Castle of Grimbergen Castle of Ham-sur-Heure Burg Odenkirchen Castle of Pietersheim Castle of Loverval Castle of Rixensart Castle of Ronse Château de Serrant Castle of Solre-sur-Sambre Château de Trélon |
| Cadet branches |
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The surname of the family and the name of the house is nowadays mostly written de Mérode (in French). The name is also spelled de Merode or van Merode in Dutch and von Merode in German. The coat of arms of the House of Merode is blazoned as: "Or, four pales gules, a border engrailed azure". The motto of the house is "Plus d'honneur que d'honneurs" in French and "Meer eer dan eerbetoon" in Dutch.