Gyllenhaal family

The name "Gyllenhaal" originated from Nils Gunnarsson Gyllenhaal's father Gunne Olofsson Haal, who was from Hahlegården, a crown homestead in Södra Härene parish in the province of Västergötland in southwestern Sweden. Haal comes from the name of the farm estate "Hahlegården". In the knighthood letter, signed by Queen Christina, the family name was written in two different ways — first "Gyllenhahl" and then "Gyllenhaal". On the copperplate with his coat of arms now hanging in the House of Nobility () in Stockholm, it is spelled "Gyllenhahl". Such ambiguities are typical of the time; it would be several generations before Swedish spelling was more strictly regulated. The prefix ("Golden") was the one most used when ennobling someone since the 16th century. Actor Jake Gyllenhaal, great-great grandson of the below-mentioned Anders Leonard Gyllenhaal, quipped during an interview before the British premiere of Prince of Persia that his last name was pronounced "Yil-en-hoo-luh-hay", parodying Americans' difficulties with Swedish pronunciation. == Family history ==

Nils Gunnarsson Gyllenhaal's descendants today stem from two of his sons: Lars Gyllenhaal (1645–1710), Lieutenant of the Vestgotha cavalry regiment; and his younger brother Hans Gyllenhaal (1655–1710). Hans was killed in action at the Battle of Helsingborg as a cavalry captain. The members of the older branch descending from Lars still live in Sweden. The most notable member of that branch was the Minister for Justice Lars Herman Gyllenhaal. In 1851, he was created Knight and Commander of the Royal Order of the Seraphim. His great-great grandson, Baron Herman Gyllenhaal of Härlingstorp (born 1934), is now the head of both branches of the noble family Gyllenhaal. He has a son, Lars. All the members of the family in the United States are descended from Hans Gyllenhaal through his great great-great grandson Anders Leonard (1842–1905) and his wife Amanda (née Nelson, 1859–1948). Anders Leonard Gyllenhaal emigrated to the United States in 1865. A prominent member of this younger branch was Leonard Gyllenhaal (1752–1840). In 1807, he was created a Knight of the Royal Order of Vasa for his scientific work as an entomologist, including his monograph on Swedish insects, Insecta Suecia descripta. == Notable members ==

• Johan Abraham Gyllenhaal (1750–1788), geologist and mineralogist. • Leonard Gyllenhaal (1752–1840), military officer and gentleman farmer, known as an entomologist and a leading Swedenborgian. His best-known work was his monograph on Swedish beetles, Insecta suecica. Coleoptera in 4 parts, published between 1808 and 1827. • Lars Herman Gyllenhaal (1790–1858), Swedish Prime Minister for Justice 1843–1844. Created a baron in 1843. • Anders Leonard Gyllenhaal (1842–1905), grandson of Leonard G., editor-in-chief of the Swedish-American newspaper Svenska Amerikanaren Tribunen in Chicago. Ancestor of the American branch. • Stephen Gyllenhaal (born 1949), film director and poet, great grandson of Anders Leonard G., was married to producer and screenwriter Naomi Foner Gyllenhaal. • Maggie Gyllenhaal (born 1977), Academy Award-nominated American actress and filmmaker, daughter of Stephen G. • Jake Gyllenhaal (born 1980), Academy Award-nominated American actor, son of Stephen G. • Sam Gyllenhaal, musician, videographer, son of Anders G. == Family tree ==

• Nils Gunnesson Gyllenhaal (1600-1680) ∞ Märta Hierta (1610-1697) • Gudmund Gyllenhaal (1643–1701) ∞ Beata Rosendufva (1643-1725) • Lars Gyllenhaal (1645–1710) ∞ Anna Maria Rytterström (1667-1712) • Lars Gyllenhaal (1690–1756) ∞ Anna Beata of Wrangel-Lindeberg (1695-1728) • Lorentz Herman Gyllenhaal (1723–1786) ∞ Fredrika Eleonora Frölich (1721-1772) • Lars Herman Gyllenhaal (1757–1830) ∞ Baroness Hedvig Margareta Leuhusen (1763-1857) • Lars Herman Gyllenhaal (1790–1858), Swedish Prime Minister for Justice ∞ (1) Henrika Lovisa Ulrika Tham (1791-1816) ∞ (2) Elisabet Sofia Palm (1795-1865); had issue • Hans Gyllenhaal (1655–1710) ∞ Barbro Bengtsdotter Lilliestielke (1663-1729) • Abraham Rudolph Gyllenhaal (1694–1743) ∞ Maria Christina Lybecker (1700-1739) • Georg Rudolf Gyllenhaal (1721–1780) ∞ (1) Catharina Helena Bjerman (1721-1768) ∞ (2) Anna Helena Åkerhielm af Blombacka (1731-1797) • Carl Jonas Gyllenhaal (1749–1808) ∞ (1) Florentina Gustava Strömbom (1765-1795) ∞ (2) Baroness Gustafva Eleonora Rudbeck (1767-1828) • Carl Henrik Gyllenhaal (1788–1857) ∞ ∞ (1) Baroness Hedvig Charlotta Rudbeck (1789-1826) ∞ (2) Baroness Beata Aurora af Nordin (1803-1884) • Carl Alexander Fredrik Gyllenhaal (1814–1910) ∞ (1) Mathilda Valeria Beatrix d'Orozco, Singer, composer and socialite ∞ (2) Ulla Lagercrantz ∞ (3) Alma Ahlstedt • Hans Reinhold Gyllenhaal (1724–1796) ∞ Anna Catharina Wahlfelt (1723-1799) • Leonard Gyllenhaal (1752–1840), Swedish military officer and entomologist ∞ Anna Hård af Torestorp (1763-1845) • Fredrik Leonard Gyllenhaal (1802–1873) ∞ Christina Lovisa Gustava Westling (1811-1846) • Anders Leonard Gyllenhaal (1842–1905) ∞ Selma Amanda Nelson (1861-1948) • Leonard Efraim Gyllenhaal (1881–1934) ∞ Virginia Phileah Pendleton (1887-1960) • Hugh Anders Gyllenhaal (1921–1979) ∞ Virginia Lowrie Childs (1924-2008) • Stephen Gyllenhaal (born 1949), American film director and poet ∞ (1) Naomi Achs (b. 1946) ∞ (2) Kathleen Kwai Ching Man (b. 1974) • Maggie Gyllenhaal (born 1977), American actress and filmmaker ∞ Peter Sarsgaard (b. 1971) • Ramona Sarsgaard (born 2006) • Jake Gyllenhaal (born 1980), American actor and producer • Luke Gyllenhaal (born 2014) ==Notes==