Ferenc Esterházy (1533–1604)
Ferenc Esterházy de Galántha was a Hungarian noble, who served as Vice-ispán of Pozsony County since 1579. He was the ancestor of the wealthy and prestigious House of Esterházy.
His parents were Benedek Zerhas de Zerhashaz, from the kindred of Salamon, and Ilona Bessenyei de Galántha. He was the first from his family who used the title of "Galántha" when he inherited the lordship of Galánta from his mother. Following his father's death in 1553, he built a Renaissance-style mansion in 1600. Another, Neo-Gothic castle situated in the town built by two of his sons, Dániel and Pál in 1633.
Ferenc participated in the 1596 campaign against the Ottoman Empire. He served in the army under commander Count Miklós Pálffy. His son, István was killed in the Battle of Keresztes on 26 October 1596.Family
Ferenc Esterházy married to Zsófia Illésházy de Illésháza, sister of Palatine István Illésházy, in 1566. They had several children:
- Magdolna, married to László Kubinyi de Felsőkubin et Nagyolaszi
- Ferenc I, died young
- Tamás
- István, died in the Battle of Keresztes
- János, died young
- Ferenc II, died young
- Farkas
- Zsófia, married to Márton Révay de Riva et Trebosztó, who served as Vice-ispán of Turóc County
- Gábor, received the title of Baron in 1613
built by Ferenc Esterházy
- Miklós, received the title of Baron in 1613, the title of Count in 1626, founder of the Fraknó branch, Palatine of Hungary, ancestor of the Princely House of Esterházy
- Dániel, received the title of Baron in 1613, founder of the Csesznek branch
- Pál, received the title of Baron in 1613, founder of the Zólyom branch
- Anna, married Count János Kéry de Kiskér, who served as Vice-ispán of Zólyom County
