Esterhazy

Esterhazy von Galantha, a noble Hungarian family dating from the 13th century. They airled the House of Hapsburg, and did important services to Frederick II. and Leopold I. In the 13th century the family divided into two lines, one of which became extinct in 1838. The name was changed to Esterhazy in 1584 by Francis Terhazy, who was vice-regent of the county of Presburg. This Francis had four sons. The descendants of one of these failed in 1670, but of the houses founded by the other three two received the title of Count in 1683, and Nikolaus, the founder of the third, was made Margrave of Forchestein in 1626.