Poniatowski (plural: Poniatowscy) is the surname of a Polishszlachta (nobility) family. Because Polish adjectives have different forms for the genders, Poniatowska is the same name for a female family member.
The Poniatowski family became most prominent in the 18th century and 19th century. The first information about the family dates back to the end of the 15th century, when they appeared in Poniatowa, 40 km west from Lublin in about 1446. Their family name derives from that place name. Poniatowa was the residence of several branches of the Poniatowski family: Tłuk, Jarasz and Ciołek.
On September 7, 1764, at Wola, Stanisław Poniatowski was elected as King of Poland. In the same year the Coronation Sejm awarded the Poniatowski family the title of Prince of Poland. Nowadays, there are still Poniatowskis living in Poland, the United States, and many other countries in the world.