The House of Festetics (singular, not plural) or Feštetić (in Croatian) is the name of a historic noble family of Hungarian counts and princes which dates back to 15th century. A prominent family during the Austro-Hungarian Empire, they are mostly known for the baroque Festetics Palace and the Viennese PrinceTasziló Festetics.
Counts Festetics of Tolna
Original arms of the family (1213)
The progenitor of the family is considered to be Peter Festetics or Petrus Ferztheschych from Roženica, Pokupsko, whose name was mentioned as such in the protocol from the second part of the 15th century. Born during the reign of Matthias Corvinus, he held large estates throughout Turopolje, southwest of Zagreb. Another protocol from 1570 mentions Mihovil Festetics (probably Peter's son), who served as ministerialis of the Bishop of Zagreb. On 8 August 1746, Mihovil's descendants, Josef and Kristof Festetics (the two sons of the second marriage of Paul Festetics) added de Tolna to their surname (von Tolna in Austria). On 5 November 1766, Josef's eldest son Pal Festetics de Tolna (1725–1782) was made a count by Queen Maria Theresa of Hungary. On 24 February 1772, Kristof's eldest son Pal Festetics de Tolna (1722–1782) was made a count by Queen Maria Theresa of Hungary, who was also Archduchess of Austria and Holy Roman Empress. The title of count was hereditary, inheritable by all legitimate male-line descendants of the family.
In 1973, Count Dénes Festetics de Tolna (1943) was incorporated in the Dutch nobility with the title of count; the title of count(ess) is inheritable by all male-line descendants.
Notable members
Among the other prominent members of the family are:
