The House of Nesselrode is an ancient German noble family originating in the Duchy of Berg. Over the centuries, the family expanded their possessions through marriage with the most powerful families of the region. As a former ruling family they belonged to the small circle of (ancient nobility). History The family was first recorded in September 1303 when its progenitor knight Heinrich genannt Flecke von Nesselrode was mentioned as feudal lord of Deutz Abbey. served as their first family seat. There were several branches of the family: Nesselrode-Reichenstein, Nesselrode-Ehreshoven, Nesselrode-Landscron, and Nesselrode-Hugenpoēt. They were sovereign Counts of the imperially immediate . Nesselrode-Reichenstein line The Reichenstein line were made Imperial barons in 1653 and Imperial Counts in 1702. In 1698, Baron Franz von Nesselrode-Reichenstein (1635–1707), from 1702 Imperial Count, who served as Imperial Chancellor in the Principality of Münster, bought the immediate Lordship of Reichenstein from the Counts von Wied for 6000 thaler. He was followed by his son, Count Franz Wilhelm Anton von Nesselrode-Reichenstein (1701–1776). With his death, this line of the family became extinct. The County of Reichenstein was inherited by his cousin, Count Johann Wilhelm Maximilian von Nesselrode-Landscron (1726–1800), who became the reigning Count von Nesselrode-Reichenstein. Nesselrode-Landscron line The Nesselrode-Landscron line were made Imperial barons in 1652 and Imperial counts in 1710. Baron Johann Salentin Wilhelm von Nesselrode und Rhade (died in 1715), who served as Imperial Oberstleutnant, was made Imperial Count von Nesselrode-Landscron by Joseph I, Holy Roman Emperor, in 1710. His son, Count Johann Franz von Nesselrode-Landscron (1671–1751), served as Imperial Generalfeldzeugmeister. His son, Count Johann Wilhelm Maximilian von Nesselrode-Landscron und Grimberg (1726–1800), married to Countess Maria Theresia von Auersperg (1729–1803), inherited the Lordship of Reichenstein and became the reigning Count. He was followed by his son, Johann Franz Joseph von Nesselrode-Reichenstein (1755–1824). Due to the dissolution of the Holy Roman Empire, their immediate possessions were mediatized to Nassau, in 1806. This mediatized branch of the family became extinct in 1824. Their possessions were inherited by the Counts Droste zu Vischering, who incorporated the Nesselrode coat of arms into their own, as the heir of the last reigning Count, Johann Franz Joseph, was his eldest surviving daughter, Countess Maria Karoline Theresia Josepha von Nesselrode-Reichenstein, who became Countess Droste zu Vischering (1779–1858). Nesselrode-Ehreshoven line The Nesselrode-Ehreshoven line were made Imperial barons in 1653 and Imperial Counts in 1710. Some members of the Nesselrode-Ehreshoven branch settled in Russian