Sztáray family

The first traceable ancestor of the family was Jákó, who lived around the first half of the 13th century, in the time of King Béla IV of Hungary.

Jákó's wife was Kata Szoboszlai, from whom two sons are known: András, Lord-lieutenant of Ung County, and Jákó, Lord-lieutenant of Zemplén County and Master of the cupbearers.

The family received their Nagymihályi estate around 1249, and Sztára was given to them in 1273.

The use of their old coat of arms was confirmed by King Sigismund on 29 March 1418.

The extant branch of the Sztáray family is descended from Lőrinc IV, son of András.

Coat of arms of the Sztáray family
Last photograph taken of Empress Elisabeth of Austria-Hungary (at left) at Territet, Switzerland, with her lady in waiting, Countess Irma Sztáray.