The history of the family starts in the 16th century when members of the Wichulski family purchased the Jabłonowo Pomorskie estate and began to use the name Jabłonowski. The family rose to prominence in the 17th century with Stanisław Jan Jabłonowski, a successful military leader in such campaigns as that against the Swedes during The Deluge, Chocim, the 1683 Battle of Vienna and the 1695 battle against the Tatars at Lwów. During the 1696 election to select a successor for John III Sobieski, Stanisław Jan Jabłonowski was a candidate for the Polish throne. In 1698, Emperor Leopold I granted him and his family the hereditary title of Prince.