Széchenyi family

The House of Széchenyi or Széchényi is the name of a wealthy Hungarian noble family which produced many politicians, landowners, and influential figures within Austro-Hungarian Empire.

The family first appeared in the documents at the beginning of the 16th century and derived its name from the town of Szécsény.

First prominent member and founder of family wealth was György Széchenyi (1603–1695), who served as Archbishop of Esztergom.

The family received the title of Imperial Count in 1697 by Emperor Leopold I.

The elder, non-comital, branch of the family bore the name Széchényi-Szabó but became extinct in the first half of the 20th century.