Żeleński

Żeleński is a Polish princely family and one of the most influential noble families in pre-World War II Poland. The Żeleński family's coat of arms is the Ciołek coat of arms, which is one of the oldest in medieval Poland. The Żeleński family reached notable power under the late Piast dynasty, under the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, during the Partitions of Poland, and in the 20th and 21st centuries.
== Origins ==
The Żeleński family have been actors in the history of Poland since the 11th century. The surname Żeleński comes from the Polish word "ziel," which is the color green, and as such many of the variants of this name were associated with growing things. As a surname, it may also have been a habitational name, taken on from any of many places named with this word. The surname Żeleński was first found in Cracow, a province of Poland which lies centrally, bounded by Kielce, Lublin, Silesia and Lwow.
== History ==
The surname became noted for its many branches in the region, each house acquiring a status and influence which was envied by the princes of the region. In their later history, the name became a power unto themselves and were elevated to the ranks of nobility as they grew into this most influential family.
In 1801, the Żeleński family's nobility was recognized by the Habsburg Monarchy / Austrian Empire / Kingdom of Hungary. In 1803, it was then recognized by the Kingdom of Poland, and again officially in 1823 with title confirmation. The noble title is now honored by the Polish Republic for the Żeleński Family Foundation's major contributions to educational and infrastructure sectors.
From 1912 onwards it was an acknowledged noble family by England due to the Żeleński family's wealth and business contacts in the British Monarchy, though England did not ever recognize its sovereignty. 
In 1982, England officially recognized the Żeleński family and the Żeleński Family Foundation (Polish: Fundacja Rodziny Żeleńskich) for their support in the 'Blackout Era' of Britian, as well as for their generous wedding gift to Princess Diana and Prince Charles in the form of a multi-million dollar donation to a selection of Princess Diana's charities, including the Middlesex Hospital AIDS ward, The Leprosy Mission, Centrepoint, and the English National Ballet. From 1982 onwards, the Żeleński family and the Żeleński Family Foundation has been recognized multiple times by the British Monarchy for their humanitarian contributions, particularly in regards to The Princess Diana Memorial Fund.
== Familial Seats ==
Żeleński Palace and family manor (Pałac Żeleńskich), is the Żeleński family seat while in Grodkowice. It was built in 1902, according to the design of Teodor Talowski, and currently functions as a hotel when the family is not in residence.
There is also the Tomasz Zieliński Palace Complex in Kielce (Pałac Zielińskiegohttp://www.palacykzielinskiego.pl/strona_www/index.html), however this is mostly used as an art exhibition museum. It is now "Dom Środowisk Twórczych" (House of Artists or House of Art [precisely: House of the Artistic Environment ]), and often referred to as the "Creative Environment House" in English. It was the first public museum in the Kielce region.
== Notable Żeleńskis ==
* Władysław Żeleński (composer) (1837–1921), Polish composer, pianist and organist
* Tadeusz Boy-Żeleński (writer) (1874-1941), Polish stage writer, poet, critic, and translator
* Władysław Żeleński (lawyer) (1903–2006), Polish lawyer, historian, publicist
== Żeleński Noble Family ==
* Count Tadeusz Josef Żeleński, 1889-1969
* Countess Ewa Theresa Żeleńska Korab-Karpinska, 1925-2011
* Countess Sarah Elżbieta Philimina Korab-Karpinska Żeleńska Eagan, b.1999
== References ==
Category:Polish noble families
Category:Polish families
Category:Royal families	
Category:Polish royal family