Cologne patricians

Almost all of the Cologne patricians originated from one family member, Gottschalk van Overstolz (b.c 1170 - d.a 1215), Sophia de San Laurentino (b.c 1150 - d.b 1214), and their eight married children. The history of this family, shows that they derived extraction from a Roman, Superbus, which translated into German is Overstoltz (Over Proud). The Overstoltz stock is a sturdy one, and noted for its longevity.
Overstolz Dynasty
This family dynasty of Overstolz was the ancestral family of Cologne patricians and was one of the most influential and wealthiest families in medieval Cologne. The family clan went to the same origins as the clans of Lyskirchen and Quattermart and also led the same coat of arms, only in different colors.
The Overstoltz ancestral family was one renowned in war and civil life. They were the merchant-princes of the thirteenth, fourteenth, and fifteenth centuries and their name is held in high esteem in their native city of Cologne. Overstoltzen was a dynasty of German knights, known for being part of the founders of Hanseatic League.
Gottschalk married Sophia and their eight children included Gunther (1170-1214), Richolfus (1170-1239), Blithilde (1174 -1255), Henry (1180-1246), Gerhard (1185-1243), Gottschalk (1185-1266), Margarete (born in 1190) and Sophia (born in 1190).
Gottschalk was the son of Regenzo and Godelive. His wife Sophia was the daughter of Gunter de San Laurentino and Hedwig. She was born circa 1150 and died before 1214. Her father Gunter was born circa 1120 and died in 1178 in Cologne, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany.
Upon Gottschalk's death, his eight children inherited twenty houses. His sons Gottschalk I and Gerhard I acquired in 1224 the cedar forest and built there sixteen apartments that became the origin of the Unter Sachsenhausen banking mile.
German Knights of Cologne
Matthias Overstoltz, a knightly prince, married Gertrud von der Kornpforte. They had one son, Gerhard von Overstoltz. On October 15, 1268, Matthias headed a successful resistance to the assaults of forces of the archbishop, who had often endeavored to deprive the free city of its charter. Matthias lost his life in this struggle and the grateful citizens erected to his memory a statue which is still to been seen in their city hall, and which bears a striking resemblance to the living representative of the hero.
Johann Overstoltz, a brother of Matthias, was the Mayor of Cologne in 1275.
Gerhard von Overstoltz, son of Matthias, continued the battle in the Battle of Worringen in 1287 for similar a patriotic cause to that espoused by his father. It had been the hereditary right of the patricians to have the chief magistrate of Cologne selected from among their number only, and for opposing the forcible abrogation of this right the landed estates of the Overstoltz House (Overstolzenhaus) were confiscated, and they, together with fifteen other celebrated patrician families, were banished from the city, and most of them fled to Westphalia.<ref name=":1" />
Overstoltz House (Overstoltzenhaus)
The city of Cologne purchased the ancient mansion of the family and preserved it.<ref name=":1" /> Overstolzenhaus was completely restored in 1955.

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