The Barbo family originated in Veneto, later moving to Inner Austria, especially Carniola (present-day Slovenia).

In 1547 the family settled in Kožljak (Waxenstein, in German) in Habsburg March of Istria.

[1] They held the titles barons of Guteneck, Pass and Zobelsberg, lords of Schlüsselstein, Kreussenbach and Dragomel.

[2] The family produced several high-ranking officials and politicians in the Duchy of Carniola.

The last male member, count Robert Barbo von Waxenstein died in 1977.