The Kurjaković family, also known as the Counts of Krbava, were a Croatian noble family that originated from the noble tribe of Gusić. It formed at the end of the 13th century, as descendants of Kurjak. They reached their peak as magnates between mid-14th and mid-15th century, having tight connections and high official positions at the Hungarian royal court, and dissolution in 1531 when the estates of magnate Ivan Karlović went to Nikola III Zrinski. Two members were Ban of Croatia, as well two were founding members of Order of the Dragon.
Coat of arms from Wiener handschrift (1410)
The Kurjaković (left) and Lapčan (right) joint coat of arms, from Siebmachers Wappenbuch in 1605.
The Gusić family, also known as Gušić, was one of the twelve noble tribes of the Kingdom of Croatia, mentioned in the Pacta conventa. They originated from the hinterland of Biograd in the medieval Luka and Sidraga županijas, where they are recorded at least since the 11th century. Their main regions of influence were Krbava and Gacka, where they often served as župans and knezes at least since the early 13th century. In the 14th century branched Posedarski who seated in Posedarje, and Kurjakovići who as magnates managed to gather much wealth and have high official positions at the Hungarian royal court as well two of their members became Ban of Croatia. As experienced warriors, they actively participated in the Croatian–Ottoman and late Ottoman–Venetian Wars. Direct descendants of the tribe with the surname Gusić, and possibly Gušić, live even today in Croatia and Slovenia.
Coat of arms from Wiener handschrift (1410)
The family's coat of arms (top right, bottom), from Opus insignium armorumque (1687–1688) by Johann Weikhard von Valvasor.
Baltazar Adam Krčelić (1715–1778), Croatian historian.