Source:
documents in István Kazinczy’s: „Nadány.2002”
At the time of
the Hungarian land occupation it consisted of 108 clans (Kézai). One of the seven leaders is Ond
whose clan (Keszi) is the second one which „left Szittyia …”
The first
dwelling of the clan was in the upper-Tisza region, then in the territory
between Duna and Tisza rivers and the lower part of the Körös and Berettyó
rivers, later the Maros region (Pusztakalán, Kiskalán), the mountains in Hunyad
county. Their fortress became Csongrád (next to it Kajánújfalu, referring to an old dwelling)
(1). (1) Dr..Karácsony János:
A magyar nemzetségek a XIV. század közepéig. MTA . Bp.1900. 7.o. 155.o, 159.o.
The Kalán, Vata (later
Csolt, Solt, Cholt) and Borsa (Barsa) clans belong to the same tribe, Keszi.
The clan of the Kaláns gave the tribe leaders Ond as well ashis
son Ete
(2)(2) Győrffy György:
Magyarország története a honfoglalástól a tatárjárásig. In:MT I/1.1984. 616 o. ,
706.o.,
The
clan originating from Ete is called Kalán, later Bár (Baár, Boor, Bor) (1).
Their ancient
coat-of-arms:
like usually of the tribe leader clans, probably was a half golden lion in a red shield (3). (3) Csoma József :
Magyar nemzetségi címerek. MTA Bp.1904. 1256 o.
According
to the Hungarian ancient chronicles Kean (Kaján) was fighting with his siblings Kalán (4). (4) Makkai László: Erdély a
középkori Magyar Királyságban (896-1526). In:ET I. 1987.
Both of them are
the descendants of Ond and his son Ete. Some say that Beliud/Béld helped Kalán in this
fight, because the latter’s daughter was his wife. This Beliud was the one
suggesting that sovereign Géza and Sarolt (daughter of Transsylvanian gyula
Zombor) should get married (3).
Kign Stephen, who
was fighting for several decades to expand his power to the Eastern part of the
country, too, triumphed over Keán (Kaján) in the 1020s, who was the leader of the Vatas former tribe
brotherhood-nation and was supported by
the Bulgarians.(5)
(5) Kristó
Gyula: Az egyház- és államszervezet Szent István korában. História.1988/4.
After Ete, no
other tribal leader of the Keszis is figuring in the records. This makes it
likely that the procedure of atomization to clans started. (second third of 10th
century) (6). (6) Kristó Gyula: Levedi
törzsszövetségtől Szent István államáig. Elvek Utak Magvető. Bp.1980. 468.o.
In 1257 the Kaján name
appears
among the noblemen of Monostor-Ják.
Among the clans there are Keán/Kán,
Keán/Kaján,
Kalán, Kölcse, Nána...
In the 13th
century Kán
is also known as a clan name, int he forms of «Kan» and «Kean».
The clan of mainly Baranya county split into two main branches: the
Beremendi and the Siklós branches. One
branch was active in Transsylvania in the 18th century and at the beginning of
the 19th century. There were several members of high rank int he clan. This is
the period of Béla the Fourth and his son Stephen the Fifth’s ruling and
conflict, the Tartars’ attack and the ruling of László Kún the Fourth, a very
difficult period burdened with conflicts.
The most famous Kán clan member wasgovernor Gyula (around
1180-1238), who held several important titles under the ruling of András the
Second (palatin, vice-regent, high sheriff of
several counties, governor of Slavonia etc.).
After the King’s death he was accused of lese-majesty and imprisoned, he died in
the prison. László voivodegot
into family relationship with Stephen the fifth through his wife. This way he
could regain his fortune that he had lost previously due to disgrace. In 1264
however he acts against the King and when he loses, he is no longer among the
leading personalities. . Kán László1297-1315 Transsylvanian
voivode, sheriff in Szolnok. When Otto came to Transsylvania, he made him captured
and the Holy Crown taken away from him. It was only in 1308 that Károly Róbert
could get it back from him. Since he had to leave Vajdaság, he protested but he
was beaten and deprived of all his fortune. It is very difficult to draw
the clan orders among the many historical figures acting in the same era and
with the same names. We tried to present some branches and members of the clan
based on the geneological templates set up by research scientists.
The details on the Kán clan’s members can be found in the Family tree fragmentsdocument where a contents’ page in alphabetical order shows the
names and places. To reach the database always click on the texts that are underlined.
We can meet the names of Kaján Benedek, Bálint, Tamás and Péterin the
census of Tar in Heves county, in 1570. Probably not many of them
remained in the submitted territories, they went further to North. This is
proved by their presence in later centuries int he Felvidék region.
We can come across the Kaján name also in the 17th century in Trencsén
county in the Felvidéken region when one of the family branches received the
title of nobleness. They were more numerous in Árva county.
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