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| Poniatowski | |
|---|---|
Princely arms of the Poniatowski family | |
| Country | Poland |
| Founded | 15th century |
| Final ruler | KingStanisław II August |
| Titles | King of Poland Grand Duke of Lithuania Grand Duke of Ruthenia Grand Duke of Prussia Grand Duke of Masovia Grand Duke of Samogitia Grand Duke of Kiev Prince of Bohemia[1] Prince of Monterotondo[2] |
| Estate(s) | Poland, Lithuania, Ukraine, Belarus |
| Deposition | 1795 |
| Cadet branches | Poniatowski di Monterotondo |
TheHouse of Poniatowski (plural:Poniatowscy) is a prominentPolish family that was part of thenobility of Poland. A member of this family,Stanisław Poniatowski, was elected asKing of Poland and reigned from 1764 until his abdication in 1795.
Since Polish adjectives have different forms for the genders,Poniatowska is the equivalent name for a female member of this family.
The Poniatowski family became most prominent in the late 18th century and 19th century. In three generations, the family rose from the rank ofgentry to that of senator and then to royalty (in anelective monarchy).
The first information about the family dates back to the end of the 15th century, when they appeared inPoniatowa, 40 km west fromLublin in about 1446. Their family name derives from that place name. Poniatowa was the residence of several branches of the Poniatowski family:Tłuk,Jarasz andCiołek.


According to the family's history, the family had ties with the Italian nobility: Giuseppe Salinguerra, a member of the Italian family ofTorelli, settled in Poland about the middle of the 17th century, and there assumed the name of Poniatowski from the estate of Poniatow, belonging to his wife, who was the daughter ofAlbert Poniatowski and AnnaLeszczyńska.

On 7 September 1764, atWola, the most famous member of the family,Stanisław Poniatowski, waselected as King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania. In the same year, theCoronation Sejm awarded the King's brothers hereditary titles of Princes.
Nowadays, there are still Poniatowscy living in Poland, France, Mexico, Italy, Russia, the United States, Germany, and many other countries in the world.
Among most known members are:
The Poniatowski family used theCiołek arms.