Festetics

Festetics (singular, not plural) is a noble Hungarian family, prominent during the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

On August 8, 1746, 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 November 5, 1766, Josef's eldest son Pal Festetics de Tolna (1725-1782) was made a count by Queen Maria Theresa of Hungary. On February 24, 1772, Kristof's eldest son Pal Festetics de Tolna (1722-1782) was made a count by Queen Maria Theresa of Hungary. The title of count was inheritable by all male-line descendants.

On June 21, 1911, Count Tassilo Festetics de Tolna (1850-1933) was made a prince with the style Serene Highness (Durchlaucht) by King Francis Joseph I of Hungary. His grandson Georg (born 1940) is the current head of the house.

Among the other prominent members of the family are:

• Antal Festetics (born 1937), Austrian biologist
• Andor Festetics (1843-1930), Hungarian politician
• Count György Festetics de Tolna (1815-1883), Hungarian politician
• Count Leo Festetics de Tolna (1800–1884), Hungarian composer
• Count Sándor Festetics de Tolna (1882–1956), Hungarian politician

Festetics may also refer to:

• the Festetics Palace, located in Keszthely, Hungary
• the Festetics String Quartet, from Budapest, Hungary

Further reading

• Festetics de Tolna - the descendants of Lukács Festetics (died before 1637).
• Festetics von Tolna - the descendants of Count Ladislas Festetics de Tolna (1785-1846)