von der Leyen, is an ancient German noble family, the origin of which can be traced up to the middle of the 12th century, which had estates at the Mosel River. Originally the family is named by its castle in Gondorf (Cunthereve). Since the 14th century they call themselves von der Leyen. Its members have the hereditary office of sénéchal in the bishopric of Trier. They also have Adendorf near Bonn, Leiningen on the Hunsrück, the Lordship of Arenfels and St. Ingbert.

Since 1653 they are Imperial Barons (Reichsfreiherrn) and acquire until 1660 as an addition to their scattered territories the Lordships of Burresheim and Blieskastell, where they build their residence around 1760.

1697 they got the county of Hohengeroldseck as a fiefdom from Austria. In 1711 they become imperial counts and in 1806 imperial princes with sovereignity over Hohengeroldseck. In 1819 the principality gets mediatized under Baden.

The two members of the family become Archbishopric of Trier:

• 1556-1567 Johann V von der Leyen
• 1652-1676 Karl Kaspar von der Leyen

and one Archbishopric of Mainz

• 1675–1678 Damian Hartrad von der Leyen

See also

• Principality of Leyen

Sources

• German Wikipedia Von der Leyen (Adelsgeschlecht)

External links

• Location of the von der Leyen possessions