Because of its important strategical location in the Duchy of Brabant, located along important trading routes to Maastricht, Aachen and Cologne, the castle was expanded in several phases, becoming the largest stronghold between the Meuse and the Rhine rivers.

The first lord of Hoensbroek was Sir Herman Hoen, who gave the castle its name (Herhoensbroeck).

Because of his support in the struggle against the Duchies of Jülich and Guelders, Herman Hoen was awarded the lordship Gebrook, Gebroek, Ingenbrouck (Broek being an old Dutch word for swamp, morass) in 1388 by duchess Joanna of Brabant, the lands in question being separated from the territory of Heerlen.

Count Frans Lothar sold the castle in 1927 to the present day owners, the foundation 'Ave Rex Christe'.

During and shortly after the second world war, the castle and accompanying buildings were used for diverse ends.

From 1720 to 1722, Frans Arnold, Imperial count van Hoensbroek, had substantial reworking done, including the building of a new north-western wing.