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Scholarly theories about the origin of the Székelys (a subgroup of the Hungarian people) can be divided into four main groups. Medieval chronicles unanimously stated that the Székelys were descended from the Huns and settled in the Carpathian Basin centuries before the Hungarians (or Magyars) conquered the territory in the late 9th century. This theory is refuted by most modern specialists. According to a widely accepted modern hypothesis, the Székelys were originally a Turkic people who joined the Magyars in the Pontic steppes. Another well-known theory states that the Székelys are simply Magyars, descended from the border guards of the Kingdom of Hungary who settled in the easternmost region of the Carpathian Basin and preserved their special privileges for centuries. According to a fourth theory, the Székelys’ origin can be traced back to the Late Avar population of the Carpathian Basin.

Medieval and Early modern period

Medieval chronicles associated the Székelys with the Huns, also claiming that both the Huns and the Hungarians were descended from the Scythians.^[1] Medieval scholars also agreed that the Székelys had already been present in the Carpathian Basin before the Hungarians (or Magyars) conquered the territory.^[2] The early 13th-century Gesta Hungarorum was the first to mention that the Székelys “were previously the peoples”^[3] of Attila the Hun.^[1] According to the same source, the Székelys “gave their sons as hostages along with diverse gifts”^[3] to the Hungarian chieftain, Ősbő, at the Körös River before joining his campaign against Menumorut.^[4][5]

Simon of Kéza stated that the Székelys were “remnants of the Huns” who “remained on the field of Csigla“^[6] after the fall of the Hunnic Empire.^[1][2] In contrast with the Gesta Hungarorum, Kéza said, the Székelys joined the Hungarians “on the borders of Ruthenia“^[6] when the Hungarians crossed the Carpathian Mountains.^[4][7] All subsequent Hungarian chronicles repeated Kéza’s story and most scholars accepted the identification of the Székelys with the Huns for centuries.^[1][8] The theory was also mentioned in István Werbőczy‘s Tripartitum, which was published several times in Székely Land after 1517.^[1] As a consequence, it cannot be decided whether the Székelys’ well-documented own tradition of their Hunnic origin is a genuine part of their folklore, or it is only an adoption of a medieval scholarly fabrication.^[1] Most Székelys still regard themselves as descendants of the Huns, but the majority of modern scholars refute this theory.^[4]

About the Transylvanian Scythulis, whom we call Székelys – In addition, in its Transylvanian parts, there are the privileged nobles called Scythuli, originating from the Scythian people when they first came to Pannonia, whom we call by a corrupt name: „Székely”. They enjoy quite different laws and customs; they are very skilled in warfare; and divide up and distribute inheritances and offices among themselves by tribes and kindreds and the lineages of kindreds, in the manner of the ancients.

— István Werbőczy: Tripartitum^[9]