The name of Steen Andersen Bille is closely associated with one extended family of Danish naval officers over several generations.
In a direct line from one Vice-Commandant of the City of Copenhagen in the later 17th century, a long list of distinguished Danish naval officers emerged – including six admirals, two commanders and six captains. Many of these had the same name as their progenitor.
Colonel and Vice-Commandant of Copenhagen, Steen Andersen Bille (1624–1698).
Karen née Mandixsen (1635–1681) | Colonel Steen Andersen Bille (1624–1698) | Rebekka Elisabeth Poppe (?–1698)[1] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Captain Just Bille (1670–1749) | Catherine née Maule (1672–1756) | First Marriage Mette Glud (1699–1720) | Admiral Michael Bille (1680-1756) | Second marriage to Karen née Lasson (1703–1779) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Rear Admiral Daniel Ernst Bille (1711–1790) | Johanne Sophie Amalie née Stibolt (1717–1788) | Rear Admiral Bendix Lasson Bille (1723–1784) | Lieutenant Steen Andersen Bille (1725–1748) | Adolphine Christine née Friedenreich (1740–1771) | Captain Mathias Bille (1736–1782) | Anna Rebekka née Bredahl (1754–1847) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Commander Just Bille (1744–1802) | Admiral Steen Andersen Bille (1751-1833) | Frederikke Wilhelmina Charlotte née Borneman (1770–1851) | Charlotte Margrette Bille (1739–1804) | Captain Anders Bille (1730–1782) (no direct blood relation) | Rear Admiral Michael Johannes Petronius Bille (1769–1845) | Captain Søren Adolph Bille (1775–1819) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Lieutenant Ernst Wilhelm Bille (1795–1821) | Vice Admiral Steen Andersen Bille (1797-1883) | Caroline Christiane Sophie Fredericke von Bülov (1808–1887) | Captain Daniel Ernst Bille (1770–1807) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Others[Note 4]
Many members of the Bille family from Steen Andersen Bille (1751–1833) and his wife onwards are buried at the Cemetery of Holmen (Danish: Holmens Kirkegård) in Copenhagen.
Two ships have been named Bille in relatively recent times in the Royal Danish Navy:[4]