Povijesni prilozi, Vol. 33 No. 46, 2014.
Original scientific paper
History and Genealogy of the Nobles Krajač
Željko Sirk
Abstract
The aim of this study was to present (based on documents) the history and genealogy of an old noble family, whose rise and falls were – within context of the historical environment – typical destiny of the Croatian petty nobility. The ancient family Krajač originated from the medieval municipality of the petty nobility of Klokoč (generaciones Clokoch) settled around the upper flow of Glina River. The family name has been first mentioned in an agreement signed in Steničnjak on
August 7, 1447. Under pressure of Ottoman raids the noble family Krajač, in the second half of XV century, migrated from their ancestral estates in the southern part of medieval Gorička County to the safer area: toward Modruš, Dubovac, Kupa River basin and Upper Sava River valley and divided into several branches. When Ottomans
also ravaged Modruš and Dubovac, the impoverished noblemen Krajačs entered into the service of the King or the great lords as soldiers or officials from Senj Captaincy to Mokrice and Turopolje. Around 1635 king Ferdinand II bestowed/granted them coat of arms that was followed by the extension of formal recognition of their nobility in 1660 by the Diet of the Kingdoms of Croatia, Slavonia and Dalmatia.
In the aftermath of 30 Years War one of the nobles Krajač appeared in Moravia remaining there probably in the service of former ban count Nikola Frankopan of Tržac and founding Moravian branch of the family. At the beginning of the XVIII c. another branch moved from Senj to the hamlet Ladvić above Crikvenica. Some hundred years later this branch split apart and one line set off back to Senj. While the line in Ladvić for the long time barely survived, Krajačs in Senj, thanks to the commerce and shipping, made a fortune ascending the social ladder. The brothers
Ivan and Rafael Krajač were also founders of the first Croatian Steamship Company. Since ‘80s of the XIX c. till the WWII some members of that line played the significant role in the political life of Croatia. As members of the Croatian, Hungarian and later Yugoslavian parliament they left an impact in the turbulent period of dying
Empire and forging new state. One of them, Dr Ivan Krajač, even became minister in the Government of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia.
Pressed by misery some members of the Ladvić line emigrated to Americas, so today there are no lineal descendants of that branch in the male line in Ladvić or Crikvenica.
There are no more Krajač in the male line in Senj either, but Senj line still lives in the other parts of Croatia. The Moravian branch rise to prominence in XIX century giving some notable scientists, soldiers and jurists. This branch becomes extinct in the 2nd half of the XX century.
Keywords
history of the nobility; genealogy; Krajač; Gorička County; Dubovac; Modruš; Turopolje; Senj; Moravia; Crikvenica
Hrčak ID:
126553
URI
Publication date:
30.7.2014.
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