The Mititzky story

The Mititzky family is one of the oldest and most distinguished noble houses of Trencsén County in historical Upper Hungary. The lineage is deeply rooted in the village of Nemes-Mitic (known in old documents as Mitta or Mytha), where the family is recorded as holding land as early as 1269. Their prominence was confirmed in 1464, when King Matthias Corvinus granted the estate of Jastrabie to Prokop de Mytha. The royal patent noted that this honour was a reward for Prokop’s merits, gained by "the shedding of his blood" in service to the Crown, setting a precedent of martial valour. 

By the early 16th century, specifically around 1520, the family expanded its influence beyond the ancestral seat. Through land exchanges managed by Prokop, Mátyás, and György, the focus shifted to a broader cluster of estates, including Alsó-Klobusicz, Vaszká, and Szkala-Ujfalu. The latter half of the century saw the name evolve from the old "de Mitta" to the surname "Mitticzky," while the family maintained a firm reputation for astute management and service. Over the years, the spelling of the name continued to shift, eventually settling on the current form: Mititzky. 

Distinguished service in both military and civil life marks the family history. In August 1552, Kristóf Roson, from a related branch, fought as a cavalry commander against the Ottoman Turks at the siege of Fülek. Later, in the 17th century, Miklós rose to prominence as a royal "thirtieth" tax collector (tricesimator). A fierce advocate for the Counter-Reformation, Miklós is known to have used 200 soldiers to intervene in religious disputes in Trencsén, successfully re-establishing a Catholic priest and secretly escorting Jesuits into the city.

Beyond public duties, the archives hold some fascinating personal legends. Miklós, the royal tax collector, was said to be in such high favour with the King that he secured significant privileges, a necessity, given he had four sons and thirteen (!) daughters. Perhaps the most dramatic story is that of Ilona. After fainting in Trencsén, she was presumed dead and laid out for burial. She was saved only when a wax candle next to the bier fell over and burned her, the pain startling her back to life. 

Sources (in Hungarian): 

• A Mititzky Család Története (The History of the Mititzky Family; various authors)

• Csánki Dezső: Magyarország történelmi földrajza a Hunyadiak korában, IV. kötet, Trencsén vármegye: Főbb birtokosai (Historical Geography of Hungary in the Age of the Hunyadis, Vol. IV, Trencsén County: Major Landowners)

• Nagy Iván: Magyarország családai, VII. kötet, Mitticzky család (Families of Hungary, Vol. VII, The Mitticzky Family)