 He is the fifth of six children of Baron Pierre van Outryve d'Ydewalle, governor of West-Flanders from 1944 to 1979.His ancestor, (originally van Outryve; 1745-1827) was created a ridder/("knight") 21 September 1771;, a hereditary title in male line.Géry van Outryve d'Ydewalle's father, , was elevated to the rank of Baron in 1982.