History of the Family Weyler Weylerbourg Altenbourg

An outline of the history of the family of the Counts Weyler Weylerbourg Altenberg Altenbourg de Navas y Villanueva, once recognised  and admitted to tournaments, traces its origins to the high nobility, proudly bearing the family motto: "Surgere Tento – I strive to rise."

The "House of Weyler" refers to an ancient noble lineage originating from the Swabian region of Germany. Their ancestral seat was Burg Altenburg, now part of the city of Weiler-Simmerberg, located in the District of Lindau in Bavaria. The family, known as the Herren von Weiler ("Lords of Weiler"), is first documented in the 8th century, with prominent mentions spanning from 760 to 1918. Their early influence arose from their association with the Princely Abbey of Saint Gall, where they initially served as ministerials, bailiffs, Lord Lieutenants, and lords. The Weyler family played a pivotal role in the region’s governance, acting as local representatives of powerful families, such as the Dukes of Zaehringen, the later Princes of Oettingen, the Counts of Kyburg, and their successors, the Counts of Habsburg. In their name, the Weylers dominated regional politics, administered lands, levied important road tolls, and constructed numerous fortifications throughout the territory.

Over the centuries, members of the family distinguished themselves in military and administrative roles, contributing to the development and governance of Württemberg and the broader Holy Roman Empire. Key figures, such as Ekkehard von Weyler zu Altenburg, Ulrich von Weyler, and Johann Georg von Weyler, played instrumental roles in consolidating family assets and uniting the disparate branches of the house by the late 18th century. Their involvement in regional politics earned them a respected position in Zurich in 1386, where they were officially recognized as tournament-entitled nobility, marking their ascension into the aristocratic elite of the time.

Burg Altenburg, the family’s ancestral castle, originally a spur castle, underwent significant modernization in the late 16th century. However, in 1552, it was sold to Archduke Ferdinand II, Count of Tyrol. The Herren von Weyler zu Altenburg subsequently relocated further north, nearer to their expanding ventures in Switzerland, Latvia, Brandenburg, and later Prussia. Amidst the religious upheavals of the era, the descendants of the Herren von Weyler eventually returned to serve their original liege lords after a nearly 200-year interlude.

Their relocation to Brandenburg was driven by the vision of the Great Elector, Friedrich Wilhelm III, whose openness to talent from across Europe attracted the Lords of Weiler. The family's skills and strategic acumen contributed to Brandenburg's transformation into the Kingdom of Prussia. Ernst von Weyler, a prominent figure in this period, rose to the rank of Major-General in Brandenburg and played a decisive role in the 17th-century military campaigns, particularly against the Swedes. He notably commanded the artillery at the pivotal Battle of Fehrbellin in 1675. The family, which owned significant estates, including a palace in Berlin, eventually sold these properties to the Brandenburg-Schwedt family, cementing their legacy in the region’s aristocratic and military history.

The earliest recorded ancestor is Hugh de Velere (also known as de Huielore), of Scottish-Irish descent from Clan Strattion (also Stratton). Around the year 591, Hugh arrived in present-day France as part of the retinue accompanying the future Saint Columban of Luxeuil. After long and arduous travels as an armored companion to Columban and his fellow missionaries, Gallus, Domoal, Cominius, Eunocus, and Equonanus, Hugh finally settled with Gallus near Lake Constance around 612.

Hugh's participation in the foundation of the first Monastery of Saint Gall is credibly documented by a preserved letter, and his descendants were present at the official foundation of the monastery in 719. They continued to play a pivotal role in major events of that era, including the establishment of the City of Weyler in Swabia, now part of modern Bavaria, as well as the construction of the castles of Weyler, Altenburg, Altenberg, Simmerberg, and Schreckenmanklitz.

The family maintained close ties with prominent dynasties such as the Dukes of Zähringen, the Counts (later Princes) of Oettingen, and the Counts of Kyburg. Their subsequent alliance with the Habsburgs—later Archdukes, Kings, and Emperors of Austria—underscored their significant influence. These connections are evidenced by an array of letters and documents spanning from 1250 to 1700, establishing the Weylers’ enduring presence at the courts of both the Princely & Imperial Abbey of Saint Gallen and throughout the Austrian Empire.

One notable Weyler ancestor participated in the First Crusade, where his involvement in the capture of Askelon and Jerusalem was chronicled. By 1250, George de Weyler, a knight, acted as guarantor for Kunigunde de Habsburg, enabling her to travel freely across the Germanic Imperial territories. Subsequent generations of Weylers continued to serve as key figures in the courts and battlefields of Europe, from acting as court chairmen in the trial of Baron Rudolph von Warth following the assassination of Emperor Albrecht I in 1308 to leading Habsburg troops in battles such as Morgarten, Sempach, and Naefels in the 14th century.

In the 16th century, John de Weyler became the first Imperial Envoy to the Moscovite Court, and in 1537, Emperor Ferdinand I confirmed the family’s noble status with a letter authorizing their coat of arms. By 1557, faced with escalating responsibilities, the Weylers sold their ancestral castle, Weylerbourg, to Archduke Ferdinand II of Tyrol. This marked the beginning of the family’s Pan-European era, as they took on numerous responsibilities for Habsburg Austria, acquiring vast estates across Europe, from France and Switzerland to Prussia and the Baltic principalities.

In the late 17th century, the Weylers' prominence grew, with Nicolas de Weyler serving as a senior member of the Guild and Counselor in the City of Reval (now Tallinn), and his son, Berend, advancing to Chamber Counselor of Kurbrandenburg. Berend’s son, Ernest de Weyler, became Major General of the Prussian Artillery and earned the title "Father of the Prussian Artillery" for his leadership during the Battle of Fehrbellin. His contributions were immortalized by one of the cannons he commanded, now displayed at the Swiss National Museum in Zurich.

On May 8, 1680, the Weyler family was confirmed as Knights of the Empire for the 11th time, and on June 4, 1690, they were elevated to the status of Imperial Nobility by Emperor Leopold. The Prussian baronial title was confirmed by King Frederick III of Prussia, solidifying the family's standing within the upper echelons of European nobility.

The lineage continued with distinguished military careers, such as that of Christian Ernest Berend de Weyler, who was elevated to the rank of Count and served as Lieutenant Field Marshal of the Austrian Army, commanding the Fortress of Breslau and the Austrian troops in Silesia. Later descendants ventured beyond Austria, such as John Otto Jacob de Weyler, who became entangled in the Napoleonic conquest of Spain and fathered Ferdinand (Fernando), a Spanish military doctor.

Notable French cousin Antoine Louis Eugène Baron de Weyler de Navas distinguished himself during the Napoleonic wars as a Lieutenant of Cavalry, marrying into the Spanish nobility. His loyalty to France earned him the highest honors, including his role as the commanding officer of the Royal Life Guard for King Louis XVIII and Charles X.

The Austro-Hungarian line also flourished, with John Anton Roderick Evrard Christian de Weyler rising to the rank of Lieutenant Field Marshal during the Hungarian uprising of 1848.

The illustrious legacy of the Weyler family extended into the modern era with Valeriano de Weyler y Nicolau, Marqués of Tenerife and Duke of Rubí, who left an indelible mark on Spain as a military leader, colonial administrator, and Captain-General.