The Este family is a famous family from Ferrara, Italy. They were a powerful and influential family during the Middle Ages and Renaissance periods. The family was known for their patronage of the arts, their political influence, and their military prowess. They were also patrons of the University of Ferrara, which was founded in 1391. The family's most famous member was Niccolò III d'Este, who was the Marquis of Ferrara from 1393 to 1441.