The De Geer family (Dutch:[dəˈɣeːr], Swedish:[dœˈjæːr]; also: De Geer van Jutphaas and De Geer van Oudegein) is a prominent industrial family of
Walloon origin that belongs to the
Swedish and
Dutch nobility.
History
The name derives from the town of
Geer near
Liège (in present-day Belgium). The oldest known ancestor, Lambier de Geer, lord of Gaillarmont, died in 1399 in Liège, then part of the
Prince-Bishopric of Liège.[1][2] His descendant Louys de Geer (1535–1602) moved from Liège to
Aachen and later to
Dordrecht in the
Dutch Republic for religious reasons. Subsequent generations became notable in
Sweden and the
Netherlands from the early 17th century, mainly centered on the iron-foundry company town
Finspång, but often extending to science, art and national politics. The larger, Swedish branch of the family retained its contacts with the Netherlands. Some of them hold the title of
baron. Both branches are still in existence.
Notable members
Louis De Geer (1587–1652), Walloon financier and industrialist, founder of the Swedish branch.