Surname Széchy - Meaning and Origin
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Széchy: What does the surname Széchy mean?
The last name Széchy is of Hungarian origin and derives from the name Széchényi. The Széchényis were a noble family that descend from Farkas Széchényi, who lived on the island of Szentendre in the Danube Bend area back in the 10th century. The meaning of the name has to do with the old Hungarian word széch, which originally referred to a waterfall. This is fitting, since the Széchényi family also owned many landholdings along the Danube River, and they were well known for holding fishing rights in the area.
The Széchy surname has spread throughout Hungarian populations all over the world. As a result, people with the last name can be found in all countries that speak the Hungarian language. In addition, since Hungary is a part of the European Union, many people with the Széchy last name have moved to other European countries, such as Germany, England, Canada, and the United States.
In the United States, people with the last name Széchy are concentrated mainly in the states of New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Ohio. There are also sizable populations of people with the last name spread out throughout the rest of the United States.
Overall, the last name Széchy is a unique and interesting moniker that carries a lot of historical meaning. People with the last name can feel a sense of pride for the past accomplishments of their ancestors and take pride in their Hungarian heritage.
Order DNA origin analysisSzéchy: Where does the name Széchy come from?
The last name Széchy is most commonly found today in Hungary, where it is one of the most common surnames. According to research, as of 2020, over 11,000 people in Hungary bear the name Széchy.
The surname Széchy likely originated in Hungary, in the Middle Ages. Records show that the family rose to prominence in the 16th century, in the county of Vas, located in the west of the country. This area was home to many Magyars, an ancient Hungarian people. It is likely that the Széchy family name evolved from a nickname for one of these individuals.
Although the origin of the name is Hungarian, today, individuals with the last name Széchy are found across the globe. According to records, there are people with the surname Széchy living in Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, the United States, as well as other parts of Europe.
Although Széchy is a common Hungarian name, it still remains a somewhat rare name amongst other cultures. It is not particularly popular in other countries and individuals with the last name Széchy often find themselves part of small, localized communities. Despite this, the Széchy family continues to grow and evolve across the world.
Variations of the surname Széchy
The Széchy surname is a Hungarian variant of the German and Slavic surname Seitz. This spelling has countless variants and spellings including Seitz, Seicke, Seiche, Saitze, Saytz, Setz, Seschtz, Sez, Szecsi, Szecsey, Szécsi, Szechy, Széchy, Szecsi, Szezig, and Zséchy.
The origin of the name Széchy is not exactly known, however, it is believed to have originated in the Old German word “seihe," meaning “see," “river," or “stream." It is likely that it was used to describe someone who lived near a stream or body of water, such as a lake or river. It is also believed that it could have been used as a nickname, referring to someone who held themselves “high and mighty” near the river’s edge.
The surname has been used by both the Hungarian and German people for centuries, as well as the Czech, Slovak, and other Slavic nations. It is the 39th most common surname in Hungary and the 151st most common surname in Germany.
It has also been found in parts of eastern and southern Europe including Poland, Austria, Serbia, Romania, and Croatia. It is a relatively common last name in these areas. In the United States, the Széchy surname is not very common but can be found among members of the Hungarian community, especially in states where Hungarians have migrated to such as Pennsylvania, Ohio, and New York.
Famous people with the name Széchy
- Count Paul Széchényi: Paul (Pál) Széchényi de Széchény was an early Hungarian patriot who helped lead the country out of feudalism and into the modern age. He was a major supporter of the reformation of the Hungarian educational system, and was a key figure in the creation of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences.
- Count György Széchényi: He served as the Bishop of Esztergom from 1759 to 1782, a crucial period in the history of the Roman Catholic Church in Hungary. He was also a leading figure in the reforms of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences and was instrumental in paving the way for the emergence of modern Hungarian science.
- Rodolphe Széchényi: Rodolphe Széchényi served as Prime Minister of Hungary from 1861 to 1865. He was a staunch defender of the unification of Hungarian culture and introduced a series of educational reforms, including the introduction of a national school system.
- Ladislaus Széchényi: Ladislaus Széchényi was a Member of Parliament and a historical general in the Austro-Hungarian Empire. He helped organize troops for the war with Italy and during the campaign in Galicia, he was given the rank of major general.
- István Széchényi: István Széchényi served as president of the Polish Sejm from 1848 to 1849 and was appointed Secretary of State of the Hungarian Ministry of War in 1851. He was one of the leading figures in the Hungarian Revolution of 1848-1849.
- Esterházy Pál Széchényi: The last of the Hungarian Esterházy barons, Pál Széchényi was a patron of the arts and a fierce advocate of Hungary's rights against the Austrian Habsburgs. He also played a role in proposing the first anti-ostracism clause in the Hungarian House of Representatives and played a part in negotiations at the Peace of Trianon in 1920.
- Emese Széchényi: Emese Széchényi was a well-known Hungarian actress and singer. She was a star in Budapest during the mid-1950s and worked primarily in musical comedy.