Himfy family of Döbrönte

A very illustrious family of the 14th century, that was made memorable especially by Pál's son Benedek. Their estates were scattered around the country, but mostly in Veszprém and Krassó provinces. (For example, Debrenthe, Tevel, Himháza, Litér, Kajár, Sóly, etc.) The most famous member of the family was Benedek Himfy, who was a knight in King Lajos's court and became known for his heroism during the 1357 war against Venice, when he was the leader of the Hungarian army. In 1363 he was appointed főispán (lord lieutenant) in Pozsony province. In 1365 King Lajos appointed him bán of Bulgaria. He held this important and burdensome office until 1369, when the king rewarded him with property donations. In 1357 he was again one of the leaders in the war against Venice as. In 1379 he was appointment főispán in Temes province, which was his last official role. He died before 1385. --- PALLAS

The castle of Döbrönte was a royal donation to Benedek Himfy in 1367.

Some of the Himfys became warlords in the 15th century and the local population lived in fear of them. Imre Himfy and his brothers even attacked and plundered the Abbey of Pannonhalma. King Máthás punished them by confiscating Döbrönte and other properties from them, (which were all returned to them shortly after). ---- Castles in Hungary

• A1. Márton;
  • B1. Németi Him, lv:1275/1279;
    • C1. Pál, lv:1315/1339;
      • D1. Benedek Himfy of döbrönte, bán of Bulgaria, lv:1343/1380, m. Dorottya Esseghváry;
        • E1. Miklós, knight in king's court, lv:1374/1381;
          • F1. Benedek, lv:1385/1416, m. Katalin, the daughter of Miklós de Surdis and Anna Hahóty; ==>  Hahóty family
            • G1. Basilius, vice-bán of Szörény province, lv:1411/1451, m. Katalin Tompek of Oroszvár;
              • H1. Imre, captain of Torna castle, lv:1451/1502;
                • I1. Orsolya, m. Ferencz Esseghváry;  <==  Esseghváry family