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.

[1] 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.

[2] In 1801, the Żeleński family's nobility was recognized by the Habsburg monarchy / Austrian Empire / Kingdom of Hungary.

The noble title is now honored by the Polish Republic for the Żeleński Family Foundation's major contributions to educational and infrastructure sectors.

[4] The family seat is the Żeleński Palace (Pałac Żeleńskich) in Grodkowice near Kraków, which was built in 1902 to a design by Teodor Talowski.