Engelbert Maes (1545–1630), was chief-president of the Privy Council of the Habsburg Netherlands and Council of State from 1614 to 1630, making him a central figure in the government of the Habsburg Netherlands for sixteen years.

[1] Engelbert was the son of Jacobus Maes, a member of the Council of Brabant, and Aleyde de Tassis.

He was born in Antwerp and studied civil law at Leuven University, where he matriculated on 17 October 1560.

Under Alexander Farnese, Duke of Parma he became auditor general of the Army of Flanders and a member of the Great Council of Mechelen.

He was buried in the Magdalen chapel of the Church of St Gudula (now Brussels cathedral).