Pongrácz Genealogy (Nemzetség)

The original letter of Lörinz  Comes (1241) shows that his ancestors were high nobility of Czech origin. King Béla IV. gave to Lörinz’s sons, Serefil and Bogomér, the territory of Mátéföld which already in 1268 was named Zent-Miklós.  In the same year, the eldest son of Lörincz, Bogomér, and the youngest son Serefil and his sons were initiated by King  László IV. into Hungarian nobility.  Serefil’s eldest son, András I. founded the villages Andrásfalva and Zent-Miklós (today Liptó-Szent-Miklós) which later became the designation of nobility for the Pongrácz family.

At the beginning of the XV. Century ”Zent-Miklósi Pongrácz” is already documented.  In a court document given to Péter, Máté and Miklós, dated May 14, 1401 they were already named Zent-Miklósi Pongrácz.  To expunge a debt of 12,000 Gold Forint, King Ulászló I deeded to Pongrácz II the royal fortresses (castles) Sztrecsno and Ovár.  This is recorded in a document dated May 3, 1443.  Pongrácz II also appears to be named Zent-Miklósi (”Pongraczio de Zent-Miklós de Liptovia capitaneo Zakolcza” ).  At that time, Pongrácz II. already ruled over castles in Blatnicza and Berencs and was consequently named ”berenchi Pongrácz”.

The ”Pongrácz” family name was recorded in 1459 and was used by the son of Zent-Miklósi Máté:  István.

In 1479 Pongrácz István and many of his people rebelled against King Mátyás over the forceful occupation of the fortress Ugrócz.  His deeds are recorded as ”Zent-Miklósi” otherwise known as Ovári Pongrácz István.

Pongrácz Coat of Arms  (Czimer)

The usage of coat of arms in Hungary dates back to the time of the House of Anjou (early 1400).

Heraldic Description:  A light silver blue Arpád shield, azure wedge shaped center, flanked by a two headed black eagle, at bottom of field three mountain tops, Mátra, Tátra, Fátra.  On the peak of Tátra is a crown, on the right of the crown a bent armored arm holding a silver clarion fastened to a golden chain.  At the tip of the wedge shaped center rests a golden star.  

Headdress:  steel helmet adorned by golden chain with amulet, and bejeweled Byzantine crown.  Black eagle wings rising left and right from the crown, embracing a bent steel armored arm holding a St. István sword.  The elbow of the arm rests on the crown.  Blue, gold, red and silver folds of the coat are draped left and right of the crown.

The motto:  ”Virtute et Fidelitate” (virtue and fidelity)  in Corvin (Mátyás Rex) type, written on parchment ribbon.