Felírok

Felírok is a Hungarian term that traditionally refers to a class of professional record-keepers, such as scribes or registrars, who dealt with the drafting, copying, and authentication of official documents. The plural form felírok corresponds to the individuals who performed these tasks, often in close relation to local authorities, courts, and royal administrations.

Etymology and meaning: felíró is derived from írni, “to write,” with the agentive suffix -ó, indicating a person who writes or records. The prefix fel- can carry various nuances, but in this context it reflects a role of preparation and certification of documents. In medieval and early modern Hungarian records, the term appears in diverse local contexts.

Historical role: In the Kingdom of Hungary and its successor states, felírók served as essential record-keepers for land transactions, legal proceedings, tax lists, and municipal charters. They worked alongside judges, mayors, notaries, and clerks to ensure the reliability of written evidence. Their registers and charters provide crucial sources for historians and genealogists studying property, governance, and social history.

Modern usage: Today, felíró as a functional title is largely historical, appearing mainly in scholarly descriptions, archival inventories, or historical fiction. The concept remains relevant in discussions of medieval administration and archival practices, where felíró records illustrate how governance was documented and preserved.

See also: notary, scribe, archive, charter, register, medieval Hungary.