 John Hunyadi , a talented military commander , became the first member of the family to acquire the status of " true baron of the realm " . He was appointed Ban of Severin in 1439 , and Voivode of Transylvania in 1441 . He was also granted the title Perpetual Count of Beszterce in 1452 , thus receiving the first hereditary title created in the Kingdom of Hungary . At his death , John Hunyadi held many lands throughout the Kingdom . John Hunyadi 's fame and fortune led the election of his son , Matthias Corvinus , as King of Hungary in 1458 . Matthias ruled Moravia , Silesia , Austria , and other neighbouring regions . He attempted to secure hereditary line of succession for his son , John Corvinus . This did not happen , however , and John was only able to retain the Duchy of <unk> , along with some other family domains in Hungary , after Matthias died in 1490 . The last male member of the family , Christopher Corvinus , the only son of John , died at the age of six in 1505 . His sister Elisabeth died during childhood . 
