Starhemberg

thumb|262px|Original arms of the family The House of Starhemberg () is an old and distinguished Austrian noble family of princely rank and historically sovereign status. The family originated in Upper Austria, specifically in the region of Steyr and Steinbach. Members of the family played an important political role within the Holy Roman Empire and later in the Austro-Hungarian Empire. As one of a small number of mediatized houses (former reigning families), the House of Starhemberg belongs to the High nobility (ancient nobility).

==History== The Starhembergs are one of the 12 so-called "Apostle Houses", i.e. the oldest and most prominent noble families in Austria, already established during the early Babenberg rule of Austria (976 to 1246). These families were considered part of the ancient landed nobility and played a central role in regional politics and society. In addition to them, other prominent noble houses included the House of Liechtenstein, Fürstenberg, Abensperg und Traun, Stubenberg, Zinzendorf und Pottendorf, Salm, and Collalto, among others.