One more example of the same surname PANYI, PANI, PANY and in America it became PANNY! It all depended on what time frame and who recorded the B/M/D documents. Regards, Szandi In a message dated 2/21/2006 10:03:03 AM Pacific Standard Time, kozlay@comcast.net writes: > 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 >