Hungarian Surname Change in 19th C

Started by Private User on Saturday, March 22, 2014

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Private User

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György Gaál

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Private User

3/22/2014 at 4:25 AM

For those who are of Hungarian descent (or know something about Hungarian surnames) why did so many surnames change at the end of 19th C? For example, my great grandfathers changed their last names from Reach to Raskay. and Goldfeld to Gal. Many others,
however did not.

Was this due to the decline of the Habsburg Monarchy, assimilation/political, or anti-Semitism?

Here are some links on name changes that I've found
http://www.radixindex.com/databases/pv003001.shtml
http://www.dvhh.org/research/surname_changes.htm

Tony Gal

György Gaál PRO

11/7/2019 at 11:22 PM

Hello!

The surname change was logical part of magyarization politics. After 1848 revolution the Hungarians got more rights in the Empire and understood better their identity.
Something similar happened in Russian Empire where when one became citizen he entered Orthodox Church and got new surname and name according to Russian-Orthodox tradition.

So it is possible that the change of surname in your case happened as reward for recognition of successes or loyal service of your ancestors (but I can't be sure for 100%)

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Hungarian Surname Change in 19th C

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