The Rațiu Family is one of the oldest noble families in Transylvania, Romania. Rațiu family’s existence is attested since the time of Sigismund of Luxembourg (XIV century). The origin of the Family is a town in the northern County of Noşlac, at its limit with the county Turda-Aries, on the left (south) of the river Mureș.
“Noşlac is inhabited by several noble families. During the reign of Emperor Sigismund of Luxembourg (king of Hungary in 1387 and emperor of Germany since 1411), the Croats in southern Hungary rebelled. The King reacted by calling and asking the Diet of Turda nobility to prepare a campaign to suppress the revolt of the Croats. Legend says that Thomas of Nagylak (Noşlac), who was enrolled as a crusader, under the banner nobles Székely seat of Aries, took part in the campaign against the Ottomans. Returning victorious from this campaign, King Sigismund of Luxembourg was content with the noblesț intervention. After this event, the neighbours of Thomas of Nagylak nicknamed him Rácz Thomas synonym for ,,Croatia “(Hrvace), because he had fought on land in Croatia. This formed the name, Rácz of Nagylak, which later turned to Ratz, and then Rațiu. Over time, the family received several noble ranking upgrades from King Rudolf II of Habsburg (1578), Stephen Báthory (1583), Sigismund Báthory (1585), Gabriel Bethlen (1625) and Michael Apafi I (1680). The Turdean branch of the Rațiu family comes from Stefan Racz of Nagylak (Noşlac) knighted in 1625 in Alba Iulia by Gabriel Bethlen of Transylvania. Due to conflicts between the noble families, George II Rákóczi withdraw the family’s title, banned them from Noşlac and confiscated their lands. Basil Rațiu and his two adult children, Basil and John, seek refuge with relatives in Teiuş. After this, the father and the third child, Coman, settled in Turda. The family’s noble title was renewed by Prince Michael Apafi I in 1680. Thanks to this, the family was able to settle permanently in Turda, a Hungarian noble city, where, according to medieval rules, only noble families who held diplomas were admitted. The Rațiu Family from Noşlac old remained the only Romanians in Turda, while others were Magyarized or disappeared from history.
Ignaz von Lenk Treuenfeld
"Lexicanum", (1766-1842), printed in 1839
1298 – Micu, Gilau and Fenes (Floreşti) are moved on January 13th on the shore, at the mouth Aries Mures County in Nagylak (Noşlac). - ???
1331 – Andreas/Indrei is certified on May 16th by Thomas Szechenyi, Voivod of Transylvania Deva, as nobilis, master (Nemes) of land in Nagylak (Noşlac).
1394 – Thomas Nagylak, captain of the Crusaders, is knighted by the King of Hungary, Sigismund of Luxemburg, for fighting in the region inhabited by Rácz / Ratz (Croatia). The family takes the nickname Rácz.
1578 – Peter Rácz of Nagylak is ennobled by the Austrian Emperor Rudolf II, for military and diplomatic merits.
Ratiu Family of Nagylak (Noşlac) of Turda
1625 – Stefan Racz of Nagylak – (Ratz in German transcription) is ennobled by Prince Gabriel Bethlen of Transylvania.
1653 – Prince George Rakoczy II of Transylvania cancels the Rácz’s family diploma and confiscates their property in Nagylak – Noşlac, which is given the family of Count Dobay.
1680 – Basil Rácz’s adult sons, John and Basil, gain back the noble title from Mihai Apafi I, Prince of Transylvania.
1768 – The descendants of Coman (the youngest son of Basil Rácz) settled in Turda and submit their application for certification of their noble descendants.
1782 – Stefan Toader is confirmed as a descendant of Basil Rácz of Turda Nobles Nagylak, the board issuing the “certificate of nobility”.
1820 – The name Rațiu is introduced by Basiliu Rațiu (derived from the name Rácz/Ratz).
1821 – The descendants of Basil Rácz of Nagylak/Noşlac are confirmed as legal residents by Turda County’s Court Minutes no. 9963.
1828 – The Rațiu family initiates the validation process for the diploma entitled “The Nagylak”, by the Turda County’s Jurisconsult application Order no. 11037 of June 30th, issued by the Directorate of the Imperial Supreme Council of Transylvania.
1829 – Basil/Basilius, Indrei/Andrew, Gregory/Gligor, John, David, and Matthew, sons of Demetriu Gligor Rațiu, true followers of the Nagylak Rácz family, are ennobled in 1680 by Prince Michael Apafi I and are nominated as inhabitants with full noble rights by the ruling of Turda County’s Court, on the 1st of April.