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| link5=[[Hungary Names Personal|Names Personal]]
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'''Understanding customs used in surnames and given names can help you identify your ancestors in records.  Learn to recognize name variations and see clues in names.'''
|}
==Online Tools==
*[[Given Name Equivalents in the Austro-Hungarian Empire|'''Given Name Equivalents''']] This table, based on the resource [https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS8L-TQ27-6 Słownik imion], alphabetizes names in Latin, with equivalents in other languages, including Hungarian.
*[https://surnames.behindthename.com/names/usage/hungarian '''Behind the Name: Hungarian Surnames''']
*[https://www.behindthename.com/names/usage/hungarian '''Behind the Name: Hungarian Given Names''']
*[https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Appendix:Hungarian_given_names#A '''Hungarian Given Names (Wiktionary)''']
*[https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSD3-QQYY?i=3&cat=199727 '''Hungarian Personal Names''' (CIA)]
*[https://www.familysearch.org/en/surname '''FamilySearch's surname experience'''] - enter your last name to find its meaning and origin
==Surnames==
===Name Order===
Hungarian names usually consist of a single given name and a single surname (family name). The surname is used before the given name. For example: 
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Hungarian Name<br>SURNAME - Given Name !! English Name<br>Given Name - Surname
|-
| NAGY János || John Nagy
|-
| KOVÁCS Mária || Mary Smith
|}


=== Naming Customs ===
On FamilySearch Family Tree if Hungarian is selected in a person name field, the name will be displayed in Hungarian order: surname before given name.  Selecting German or English changes the display order.  Enter the surname and given name in the relevant field and select the most appropriate language.  The most appropriate language generally reflects the language community in which the person lived most of their life.


In Hungarian, the surname (or a family name) is used first, followed by the given name. For example: 
===Surname Origins===
Surnames were usually derived from common sources such as trades, characteristics, ethnic origins, place names, etc.
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Source !! Hungarian !! English
|-
| Occupation || SZABÓ Ferenc || Frank Taylor
|-
| Occupation || MOLNÁR Lajos || Louis Miller
|-
| Characteristic || KIS Mihály || Michael Little
|-
| Characteristic || FEHÉR Erzsébet || Elizabeth White
|-
| Origin || TÖRÖK Katalin || Catherine Turk
|}


{| align="center" width="347" class="plain FCK__ShowTableBorders"
=== Nobility ===
|-
A title of nobility is placed before the surname:
| NAGY János
 
| John Nagy
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|-
| KOVÁCS Mária
! Hungarian !! English
| Mary Smith
|-
| gróf NAGY János || Count John Nagy
|}
|}
Hungarians also celebrate name days (each day in the calendar has one or more designated names.)
*there is usually just one given name
*surnames are generally a single names
*patronymic names were usually not used as a fixed surname
*his rule is also followed in Hungarian parish registers


Surnames were usually derived from common sources such as trades, qualities, ethnic origins, place names etc.:  
=== Married Women ===
 
In Hungary '''women keep their birth name throughout their life, married or not'''.  There is no married name and maiden name in the sense familiar to Americans.
 
==Given Names==
 
=== Słownik imion (Dictionary of names) ===
 
In many Hungarian records, given names are translated into Latin or German. One of the best resources to identify the Hungarian (or other language) version of a Latin name is the  [https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS8L-TQ27-6 '''Słownik imion'''], or dictionary of names. This information has been indexed into a searchable [[Given Name Equivalents in the Austro-Hungarian Empire|'''online table''']]. A digital copy of the book is available [https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS8L-TQ27-6 online]. An [https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS8L-TQKT-S index] to all variant names is located at the [https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS8L-TQKT-S back of the book].
 
=== Suffixes ===
In Hungarian language certain family relationships are expressed by attaching a suffix to a given name.  These suffixes are part of the grammar of the language, not naming conventions.
 
==== Suffix ''-fi, -fia, -fy,'' or ''fÿ'' ====
To refer to a man as his father's son, the suffix '''''-fi'' or variant is attached to his father's given name.''' For example:
:* Fodor Jákobfi, meaning Theodore, son of Jacob
:* Domokos Bertoldfia, meaning Domokos, son of Bertold
:* Miklós Oszkárfy, meaning Nicholas, son of Oscar
:* Simon Vilmosfÿ, meaning Simon, son of Vilmos
 
The father's name with suffix attached may be used as a byname.


{| align="center" width="347" class="plain FCK__ShowTableBorders"
==== Suffix ''-né'' ====
To refer to a married woman as her husband's wife, the suffix '''''-né'' is attached to her husband's given name.'''  For example:
 
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|-
| SZABÓ Ferenc
! Hungarian !! English
| Frank Taylor
|-
|-
| MOLNÁR Lajos
| Klausenberger Ignácz'''né''' Bival Rosália || Rosália Bival, wife of Ignácz Klausenberger
| Louis Miller
|}
 
Although '''''Nagy Jánosné''''' resembles the American formal '''''Mrs. John Nagy''''', use of ''-né'' is not a traditional Hungarian naming convention.  Historical records naming Hungarian women in this American style are rare.  Most prevalent are 19th century and early 20th century United States immigration records and, in recent decades, grave markers in Hungary.  Example of this on a grave marker:
 
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|-
| KIS Mihály
! Hungarian !! English
| Michael Little
|-
|-
| FEHÉR Erzsébet
| Nagy Lajos<br>1914 – 1984 || Lajos Nagy<br>1914 – 1984
| Elizabeth White
|-
|-
| TÖRÖK Katalin
| Nagy Lajosné<br>1923 – 2001 || Mrs. Lajos Nagy<br>1923 – 2001
| Catherine Turk
|}
|}


Titles of nobility are put before the surnames:  
See [https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/-né#Etymology_1 '''more about "-né"'''] on Wiktionary.


{| align="center" width="347" class="plain FCK__ShowTableBorders"
==== Suffix ''-nak'' or ''-nek'' ====
|-
 
| gróf NAGY János
Suffix attached to a noun to form the dative case.  This is seen on church records of baptisms and burials, modifying the names of the mother and father.
| Count John Nagy
 
|}
For example, the names of the couple Terez Vida and Tamas Csicsai are written on some of their children's records as Vida Tereznek and Csicsai Tamasnak.


==== '''Bynames''' ====
See [https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/-nek#Etymology_1 '''more about "-nek"'''] on Wiktionary.
Hungarians use a "byname" to help distinguish people with the same given names. The byname might be created from the fathers given name (as a patronymic name.) Other bynames might be created from an occupation or even a physical description. The byname might be used within the village or town, but were not fixed surnames. Further, a person might be known by one byname in a town, and be called by a different byname when traveling (referring to where they are from.) Bynames were not hereditary.  


The first major class of bynames were patronymics that were created using the father's given name. It might be created by adding -fi to a father's meaning "his son" but may appear in records as -fi, -fia, -fy, or fÿ. For example:
===Second given names and religious names===
* Fodor Jákobfi (Theodore, son of Jacob)
*Hungarians do not commonly use second given names, nor their corresponding initials. While it is increasingly frequent that they are given one, they tend to choose one they prefer to use.
* Domokos Bertoldfia (Domokos, son of Bertold)
*When baptized, a child can get an additional name (baptismal name), especially if there is no saint who bears their name, so they take a name associated with a patron saint. In confirmation, children receive another given name, but it is not used. Both baptismal and confirmation names have religious significance only, and they are not on any official records.<ref>"Hungarian names", https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hungarian_names, accessed 28 February 2021.</ref>
* Miklós Oszkárfy (Nicholas, son of Oscar)
* Simon Vilmosfÿ (Simon, son of Vilmos)


==== '''Married Women''' ====
===Name Days===
Names of Hungarian married women take on special forms. Traditionally, the ending -né is added to her husbands given name and indicates that she is married, or Mrs. For example:  
Hungarians, like Swedes, also celebrate name days. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Name_days_in_Hungary Each day in the calendar has one or more designated personal names.]<ref>"Hungarian names", https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hungarian_names, accessed 28 February 2021.</ref>
* Nagy, Jánosné means Mrs. John Nagy


* Kovács Jánosné means Mrs. John Smith
== Bynames and Patronymics ==
As a rule, in Hungary bynames--including patronymic bynames-- did not enter use as surnames.


* Klausenberger Ignáczné Bival Rosália means that Rosália    Bival married a man named Ignácz Klausenberger
*Hungarians use a "byname" to help '''distinguish people with the same given names'''.
*The byname might be created from the '''father's given name (as a patronymic name) by attaching a suffix.'''
*Other bynames might be created from '''an occupation or even a physical description.'''
*The byname might be used within the village or town, but were '''not fixed surnames'''.
*Further, a person might be known by '''one byname in a town, and be called by a different byname when traveling''' (referring to where they are from.)
*Bynames were '''not hereditary'''.


==== Further Reading ====
== For Further Reading ==
Excellent articles regarding Hungarian personal names can be found at:  
*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hungarian_names '''Hungarian names''']
*[http://heraldry.sca.org/laurel/names/magyarnames1012.html '''Hungarian Names 101''']
*[http://heraldry.sca.org/laurel/names/hungarian/index.html '''Hungarian Personal Names of the 16th Century''']
=== FamilySearch Catalog ===


*[http://heraldry.sca.org/laurel/names/magyarnames1012.html Hungarian Names 101]
*Additional sources are listed in the '''FamilySearch Catalog:'''
*[http://heraldry.sca.org/laurel/names/hungarian/index.html Hungarian Personal Names of the 16th Century]
**{{FSC|439717|subject_id|disp= Hungary - Names, Personal}}
*[https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Appendix:Hungarian_given_names#A Hungarian Given Names (Wiktionary)]
*[http://heraldry.sca.org/laurel/names/magfem2.html Hungarian Feminine Names]


==References==
<references/>
[[Category:Hungary]]
[[Category:Hungary]]
[[Category:Names Surname]]
[[Category:Naming Customs]]
[[Category:Naming Customs]]
[[Category:Patronyms]]

Latest revision as of 12:14, 20 March 2024


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Understanding customs used in surnames and given names can help you identify your ancestors in records. Learn to recognize name variations and see clues in names.

Online Tools

Surnames

Name Order

Hungarian names usually consist of a single given name and a single surname (family name). The surname is used before the given name. For example:

Hungarian Name
SURNAME - Given Name		 English Name
Given Name - Surname
NAGY János John Nagy
KOVÁCS Mária Mary Smith

On FamilySearch Family Tree if Hungarian is selected in a person name field, the name will be displayed in Hungarian order: surname before given name. Selecting German or English changes the display order. Enter the surname and given name in the relevant field and select the most appropriate language. The most appropriate language generally reflects the language community in which the person lived most of their life.

Surname Origins

Surnames were usually derived from common sources such as trades, characteristics, ethnic origins, place names, etc.

Source Hungarian English
Occupation SZABÓ Ferenc Frank Taylor
Occupation MOLNÁR Lajos Louis Miller
Characteristic KIS Mihály Michael Little
Characteristic FEHÉR Erzsébet Elizabeth White
Origin TÖRÖK Katalin Catherine Turk

Nobility

A title of nobility is placed before the surname:

Hungarian English
gróf NAGY János Count John Nagy

Married Women

In Hungary women keep their birth name throughout their life, married or not. There is no married name and maiden name in the sense familiar to Americans.

Given Names

Słownik imion (Dictionary of names)

In many Hungarian records, given names are translated into Latin or German. One of the best resources to identify the Hungarian (or other language) version of a Latin name is the Słownik imion, or dictionary of names. This information has been indexed into a searchable online table. A digital copy of the book is available online. An index to all variant names is located at the back of the book.

Suffixes

In Hungarian language certain family relationships are expressed by attaching a suffix to a given name. These suffixes are part of the grammar of the language, not naming conventions.

Suffix -fi, -fia, -fy, or fÿ

To refer to a man as his father's son, the suffix -fi or variant is attached to his father's given name. For example:

  • Fodor Jákobfi, meaning Theodore, son of Jacob
  • Domokos Bertoldfia, meaning Domokos, son of Bertold
  • Miklós Oszkárfy, meaning Nicholas, son of Oscar
  • Simon Vilmosfÿ, meaning Simon, son of Vilmos

The father's name with suffix attached may be used as a byname.

Suffix -né

To refer to a married woman as her husband's wife, the suffix -né is attached to her husband's given name. For example:

Hungarian English
Klausenberger Ignáczné Bival Rosália Rosália Bival, wife of Ignácz Klausenberger

Although Nagy Jánosné resembles the American formal Mrs. John Nagy, use of -né is not a traditional Hungarian naming convention. Historical records naming Hungarian women in this American style are rare. Most prevalent are 19th century and early 20th century United States immigration records and, in recent decades, grave markers in Hungary. Example of this on a grave marker:

Hungarian English
Nagy Lajos
1914 – 1984		 Lajos Nagy
1914 – 1984
Nagy Lajosné
1923 – 2001		 Mrs. Lajos Nagy
1923 – 2001

See more about "-né" on Wiktionary.

Suffix -nak or -nek

Suffix attached to a noun to form the dative case. This is seen on church records of baptisms and burials, modifying the names of the mother and father.

For example, the names of the couple Terez Vida and Tamas Csicsai are written on some of their children's records as Vida Tereznek and Csicsai Tamasnak.

See more about "-nek" on Wiktionary.

Second given names and religious names

  • Hungarians do not commonly use second given names, nor their corresponding initials. While it is increasingly frequent that they are given one, they tend to choose one they prefer to use.
  • When baptized, a child can get an additional name (baptismal name), especially if there is no saint who bears their name, so they take a name associated with a patron saint. In confirmation, children receive another given name, but it is not used. Both baptismal and confirmation names have religious significance only, and they are not on any official records.[1]

Name Days

Hungarians, like Swedes, also celebrate name days. Each day in the calendar has one or more designated personal names.[2]

Bynames and Patronymics

As a rule, in Hungary bynames--including patronymic bynames-- did not enter use as surnames.

  • Hungarians use a "byname" to help distinguish people with the same given names.
  • The byname might be created from the father's given name (as a patronymic name) by attaching a suffix.
  • Other bynames might be created from an occupation or even a physical description.
  • The byname might be used within the village or town, but were not fixed surnames.
  • Further, a person might be known by one byname in a town, and be called by a different byname when traveling (referring to where they are from.)
  • Bynames were not hereditary.

For Further Reading

FamilySearch Catalog

References

  1. ↑ "Hungarian names", https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hungarian_names, accessed 28 February 2021.
  2. ↑ "Hungarian names", https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hungarian_names, accessed 28 February 2021.
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