Alexander Rudnay was born to a family of lower nobility,[5] which originated from the ancient Hungarian gens (clan) Divék.

[6] The Rudnay family also preserved its coat of arms from the genus: a brown bear under an extensive foliage of tee with blue background.

[7][8] His parents were András (Andrej) Rudnay,[9] a servants' judge (Hungarian: szolgabíró; Latin: iudex nobilium) and Anna Dőry.

In December 1819 Alexander Rudnay obtained the papal bull with his nomination to archbishop of Esztergom and primate of Hungary.

[10][11][12] Inspired by the movement of Enlightenment this progressive clergyman supported the spiritual development of Slovaks and their national revival.