Ákos was born in the early 16th century into an untitled lower noble family which originated from the gens (clan) Hahót and had estates and villages throughout in Zala County.
He was a son of royal councillor Balázs (II) Csányi, who served as vice-ispán of Zala County and an unidentified lady from the Sárkány de Ákosháza family.
[3] Nádasdy, left Zápolya's allegiance, and as a strong supporter of Ferdinand I, Holy Roman Emperor, acted as military commander ("captain-general") of Hungary and organized the border protection system against the Ottomans.
Csányi operated and maintained an extensive spy network in the surrounding area (at Upper Balaton, including Babócsa and Sümeg), tracing the movement of Turkish troops at the border.
In addition to military data and espionage reports, Csányi often touched the mood of the local population and the economic situation at the borders which were affected by the series of invasions, lootings and clashes.