The family descends from the Knight known as the Oultreman of Ghent (or "Woutreman van Ghent", in Dutch) – the family origins in Ghent are well documented. Born Woutre van Ghent (1214–1261), he was the youngest son of Zeger II, Viscount de Gand (himself grandson of William of Ypres, legitimated son of Phillip of Ypres and his concubine, madam of Loo) and Petronella of Coutrai. As governor of Oostende he adapted the suffix "MAN" in 1229 being styled Woutreman I Van Ghent (or Watreman de Gand, in French )