Jane wrote: Dear Tina: My mother-in-law's maiden name was NAGY, which ends in a y and means small, I believe. Jane, one tiny correction NAGY in English means big, large. Hope this helps, Laszlo (Les) Josa

Nagy is probably the most common example of a Hungarian name ending in "y" that does not suggest nobility, and there are many. However, when the surname stems from a place name, it normally signifies nobility much as the "von" does in German or "de" in French, both meaning "of." For example, Rutkay means "of Rutka" and Csepany means "of Csepan." The "i" ending is better translated as "from" and traditionally does not signify nobility. However, you may often find an individual's name spelled both ways, even before Communism. If a place name itself ends in "y," the name may then end in "yi." On the other hand, there are many noble Hungarian families whose names do NOT end in "y." Please note there is a huge difference between nobility and royalty. Royalty refers only to ruling families. There were many thousands of nobles who had no relation whatsoever to royalty. Hungary had one of the highest proportions of nobility in Europe, probably between 5 and 10 percent of the population. Nobility was often conferred as a result of outstanding military service, especially against the Turks. It did not automatically make the noble a landowner, nor was it always an indication of wealth. It did (until 1848) confer privileges, such as not having to pay taxes. The vast majority of nobles were untitled and are sometimes referred to as the "lesser nobility." A small number of prominent families were counts or barons and are sometimes referred to as "magnates." Other titles were relatively rare. Janet

I recently learned there was an ancient village called Tegy. My Tegyi clan apparently started there. I can assure you they were neither nobility or royalty. Elizabeth V. Cardinal evc1369@comcast.net