The first documented use of the name Habsburg dates back to 1108 and is derived from saxon high German. The family reportedly gained more influence through intermarriage and Habsburg or Hawks castle, Switzerland was the family seat during the 11th, 12th and 13th Centuries.
The Habsburgs were described as an empire in europe, and count Rudolph IV who lived during the 13th Century was said to be one of the most influential landlords from France northwards including half of the eastern Alps. He was elected king of the romans, also becoming Rudolph I of Germany. The throne of the holy roman empire was mainly occupied by Habsburgs until its dissolution in 1806. In 1916, Charles, emporer of Austria-Hungary was the last Habsburg to be crowned king. Two years later, following the first world war, he and his family were exiled to Switzerland. Following two attempts to revive the monarchy he was made with his family to board hms Cardiff to Madeira. Reportedly he died in Madeira at the age of thirty five. His oldest son, Otto was nine.
According to a source many Austrians regret the way the Habsburgs were treated following the first world war. Charles’s son Dr Otto Von Habsburg became active in politics from the 1930’s. In the liturgy of his funeral in 2011 there was a knocking ceremony, published online.