[1][2] His father was Tekesh, son of Nicholas, who served as ispán (comes) of Sáros County for several times.
[3] Following the coronation of Ladislaus IV, Stephen was appointed ispán of Bereg County in 1273.
[4] He also became head of the Patak ispánate, a royal estate (1273–1282)[5] and master of the chariots (Hungarian: szekérnagy; Latin: maior plaustrorum), holding the latter office until 1275.
The Szádvár Castle, centre of the county was donated by Ladislaus IV to the sons of Tekesh and later confirmed by Andrew III of Hungary.
Stephen built up a dominant power along with his brothers in North-East Hungary (Torna and Sáros Counties).