ÚrAsszony

Úrasszony is a historical Hungarian term used as a courtesy title for a noblewoman, literally meaning "lady of a lord." The word is formed from úr (lord) and asszony (woman, lady). In medieval and early modern Hungary it functioned as a formal address equivalent to the English “Lady” and appears in legal records, charters, and chronicles to indicate aristocratic status or the wife of a lord.

Secular usage of the term referred to a noblewoman in general, and could denote the wife of a lord or, more broadly, a member of the nobility. It served as a respectful reference in correspondence, official documents, and courtly speech, signaling social rank rather than personal character. Over time, the term fell out of common use as language and social structures changed.

Religious usage occurs in some medieval Hungarian texts as an epithet for the Virgin Mary, functioning similarly to “Our Lady” in Latin sources. In later periods this sense became less common, and modern Hungarian typically uses more explicit titles such as Boldogságos Szűz Mária. Nevertheless, úrrasszony appears in historical writings and in certain church dedications or place names that preserve older forms of devotion.

Modern status and usage: úrasszony is largely archaic in contemporary Hungarian. It is encountered mainly in historical scholarship, literary texts, or in references to old customs and toponyms. It provides insight into how noble rank and religious devotion were intertwined in Hungary’s past.