tárai

Tárai is a Hungarian surname and, less commonly, a toponymic element. In Hungarian onomastics, the ending -i is often used to form adjectives or surnames indicating origin or affiliation with a place. Therefore Tárai most likely originated as a toponymic surname derived from a place name, or from a root place-name that yielded the -i suffix over time. The precise etymology can vary by family history and regional naming practices.

As a family name, Tárai is found among people of Hungarian descent, including those in Hungary and in Hungarian-speaking communities abroad. It is relatively uncommon compared with more widespread Hungarian surnames. The name may appear in historical records, genealogical studies, and contemporary contexts such as academia, culture, and public life within Hungarian communities.

Notable bearers of the surname exist but are not widely documented in standard reference works, reflecting its status as a regional or less common surname rather than as a widely recognized aristocratic or historically prominent name.

The term should not be confused with similarly spelled geographic or cultural terms in other languages, such as Tarai/Terai, which refers to a distinct region in South Asia. For researchers, sources on Hungarian naming practices and regional surname distributions can provide additional context for the occurrence and variation of Tárai.