Polignac family explained

The House of Polignac is the name of an ancient and powerful French noble family that took its name from the château de Polignac, of which they had been sieurs since Carolingian times. Agnatically, ruling family of Monaco represents the collateral branch of the House of Polignac.

History

In 1385, the male line became extinct, but the heiress married Guillaume, sire de Chalancon, who assumed the name and the coat of arms of Polignac family. Jules de Polignac (1746–1817) became the first Duke of Polignac in 1780.

Notable family members

• Melchior de Polignac (1661–1742), French diplomat, Catholic cardinal and neo-Latin poet
• Jules de Polignac (1746–1817), became the first Duke of Polignac
• Gabrielle de Polastron, Duchess of Polignac (1749–1793), wife of the first Duke of Polignac
• Jules, Prince of Polignac (1780–1847), promulgator of the July Ordinances
• Alphonse de Polignac (1826–1863), French mathematician and number theorist
• Camille Armand Jules Marie, Prince of Polignac (1832–1913), Confederate general at the Battle of Sabine Crossroads
• Prince Edmond de Polignac (1834–1901), composer
• Winnaretta Singer, princess de Polignac (1865–1943)
• Armande de Polignac (1876–1962), composer
• Jeanne, Comtesse Charles de Polignac (1882–1966), singer and salonnière
• Pierre de Polignac (1895–1964), father of Rainier III, Prince of Monaco
• Guy de Polignac, president of the French association of the Sovereign Order of Malta