Családnevek

Családnevek, commonly known as surnames or last names in English, are inherited family names. In Hungary, the tradition of using family names has a long history, though its widespread adoption and standardization occurred later than in some other European countries. Initially, individuals might have been identified by a single given name, with additional descriptors like a patronymic, occupational name, or a place of origin used to distinguish them.

The development of fixed family names in Hungary gradually took place from the Middle Ages onwards, influenced by feudalism and the need for clearer identification and inheritance. By the 18th and 19th centuries, with increased record-keeping and administrative needs, family names became more common and were generally passed down through the paternal line. Hungarian surnames typically precede given names, a characteristic shared with other East Asian naming conventions and some Eastern European cultures.

Hungarian surnames often derive from various sources. Many are patronymic, meaning they are derived from the father's given name, though these are less common than in some cultures. Occupational names, referring to a person's trade or profession such as Kovács (smith) or Szabó (tailor), are very prevalent. Toponymic surnames, derived from place names or geographical features, are also common, for example, Varga (cobbler) or Balog (left-handed, or sometimes referring to a dark-haired person). Some surnames also originate from descriptive personal characteristics. The study and understanding of these names, or onomastics, provide insights into Hungarian history, social structures, and linguistic evolution.