 He was named after his maternal grandfather, the Elector Maurice of Saxony, who was also a noted general.Maurice never married but was the father of illegitimate children by Margaretha van Mechelen (including Willem of Nassau, Lord of the Lek and Louis of Nassau, Lord of De Lek and Beverweerd) and Anna van de Kelder.He was raised in Dillenburg by his uncle Johan of Nassau (Jan the Old).