Origin and Genealogy of the Family Gosztonyi, Gasztony, Goszthonyy, Goszthonyi, de Gosztonyi
The family traces back its origins to the original Magyar Clan”Jaak”. It s first known forefather, Vencellin Wasserburg, German knight is mentioned as early as 997 as a victorious leader during the war against Koppany. During the reign of King Endre II (1205-1235), the family was bestowed the lands of Jaak, in the Province of Vas, formerly a part of the estates of Koppany, where they have established themselves. Their nobility was reconfirmed by the child-king Istvan V in 1269, mainly in recognition of the merits of Miklos and Mihaly who during the war against the heretic Bulgars, fought bravely by shedding their blood without regard to danger to their life. Furthermore, it was stated that “they were already nobles (varjobbagyak) and only defamation put them among the ranks of soldiers (varorok)” This confirmation of nobility was extended to their father and brothers, Fulop and Mate. The king also granted them the lands of Kövezarv. The family had estates in the provinces of Vas and Zala: Gosztony, Gosztola, Szent-Muhaly, Ratot, Medves, Tiszta-Mark, Czekefold, Bukk, Doroszlo, Csakany, Rimaszecs, Szecsisziget, Szeleszte,Gudryfalu, and Jaak. The families Jaak, Guary and Szechy were also parts of the Gosztonyi family. The famous church at Jaak had been built by Jaak de Beed head of the clan.
During the reign of Bela IV, soon after the devastating invasion of the tartars under Genghis Khan (1241) the ancient tribe of Szekely was still living in community of property in the valley of the river Vag. To gain their support, the king had parceled out part of heir lands and had bestowed the parcels individually. Their deeds explicitly recognized the fact of their ancient nobility originating from before the occupation of Hungaryby the Magyars and called them “true sons of noble forefathers”. Thusm, Krencs in the province of Nyitra became the nest of a number of noble families still in existence. One of the branches of the Gosztonyi clan owened estates here also.
The coat of arms was bestowed by King Matyas on April 24th 1467 in Buda to Master Tamas Kovessazvari known Goszthoni, monsignor of Pécs, and to his brothers, Miklos and Gaspar and a parent named Orban. Miklos is the forefather of today’s Gosztonyi’s. The family split into two branches namely the descendents of Miklos (1431) and that of Benedek (1450): Miklos (1551), son of Miklos, became the founder of the branch to use the forename (praedicicatum) “Kerencsi es Gosztonyi”’ (which was the privilege of the nobility), while Istvan (1475), son of Benedek, became the founder of the second branch using “Kovesszarvi es Gosztonyi” before his name. Istvan (1699), captain of the jaszkuns, son of Istvan, has founded the branch of Heves, while Istvan (1791) left the province of Vas to settle in the province of Somogy, and thereby becoming the forefather of that branch.
János
Bishop of Gyor 1514
He is reported to have had his artillery guns loaded with straw, to avoid bloodshed during the peasant uprisings led by Dozsa. It is claimed he died a violent death.
János
named Bishop of Erdély was assassinated during the wars of the Reformation
András
Cca 1670 Participated in the freedom fight led by Rákóczi. At the time of the defeat and the following surrender, he was a cosignatory of a memorial document. This document remained in the possession of the family , lastly of Laszlo Goszthony, parish priest and dean of Zalacsany until his death in 1948. His estates had been confiscated, and he, to save his life, took refuge and changed his name to Gosztola, after one of the ancient family estates. In all probability, he hid out in the Province of Sopron, en route through Austria. (The Gosztola estate, at a later date, fell into the hands of another family which was bestowed nobility in 1466 and named Gosztola-Gosztholay. This family is not connected with the Gosztonyi’s.)
András
Born: 1772 Province of Sopron
Died: July 23, 1848 Himód Province of Sopron
Married: May 20, 1798 Erzsébt Füzy
In the marriage certificate of his son János in Meszlén Province of Vas, on Feb 12 1883, his name surfaces as “Gasztony” instead of Gosztola. The registers of the parish of Himód kept in a nearby cloister before the year 1780 were destroyed by fire. In his death certificate, the names of his parents are not mentioned.
Pilch
The patent of nobility was granted by Queen Mária-Terézia on Nov 25, 1750 to the family of Pilch. It was proclaimed in the following provinces: Veszprém, Feb 18, 1761; Vaz, Sept. 13, 1776; Moson, March8, 1806; Győr, March 8, 1806. Confirmation issued by the Province of Veszprém, under no 11667/1911.
Gyula, Jósef
Knight of the military and Papal order of Pope Pius IX
Justice of the Supreme Court of Hungary (ret.)
Attorney at law Former Lord Lieutenant of the Royal and Free City of Pécs
Notes:
- The family was registered under No. 186 by the Public Archives of Canada, Ethnic Heraldry, Ottawa, Ontario. Design of the coat of arms has been published officially
Source Material:
- Family notes and tradition
- Magyar Nemzetiségi Zsebkönyv , 1905 (pocket book of the Magyar clans)
- Nagyarország vármegyéi es városai Heves v’armegye, Encziklopédia ( Encyclopediaof Hunary’s provinces and cities, Province of Heves)
- Dr Nagy Iván:Magyarország cszaládjjai, Pest 1858 (Hungary’s families)
- Fejér: Code Dipl. Tom IV Vol. III, Page 525
- Kempleles Vol IV page 340
- Rudnay Egjed: Attila Triologia, 1965 Bruxelles.