"The family of Dashwood had been long settled in Sussex. Their estate was large, and their residence was at Norland Park, in the centre of their property, where for many generations, they had lived in so respectable a manner as to engage the general good opinion of their surrounding acquaintance."

My edition of S&S discusses this passage as perfectly describing, not the entire Dashwood family, but only the male heir who was the head of the family, and goes on to say that the Dashwoods we care about are 'dashed from the wood' of Norland, therefore having 'no fortune NOR LAND.' Gives a great general feeling for the society JA lived in. Everyone in the neighborhood thinks well of them, despite what they do to the helpless female members of their family.