Hegedus
A Hungarian surname derived from the word for "violinist" or "fiddler".
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 1,988 Americans carry the last name Hegedus. That puts it at #16,765 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.58 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 172,412 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Hegedus surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.
Bearers in the US
2.0K
1 in 172,412
Census rank
#16,765
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.6
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
1.7K
rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 1,704 bearers of the surname Hegedus in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.58 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 16765th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Hegedus, the largest self-reported group is White at 95.4%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (2.5%) and Two or More Races (1.1%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Hegedus
The surname Hegedus originates from Hungary and dates back to the Middle Ages. It is derived from the Hungarian word "hegedű," which means "violin" or "fiddle." This suggests that the name likely referred to an occupation or profession related to playing or making musical instruments, specifically violins.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the Hegedus surname can be found in a 14th-century manuscript from the town of Kőszeg in western Hungary. This document mentions a certain "Johannes Hegedus," who was likely a violinist or violin maker residing in the area.
In the 15th century, the name appears in various records from the region of Transylvania, which was part of the Kingdom of Hungary at the time. One notable example is a land deed from 1487 that mentions a "Petrus Hegedus" as a landowner in the village of Segesvár (now Sighișoara, Romania).
During the 16th and 17th centuries, the Hegedus surname became more widespread across Hungary and parts of neighboring regions. Notable individuals bearing this name include János Hegedűs (c. 1550-1610), a renowned Hungarian composer and lutenist who served at the court of Prince István Báthory in Transylvania.
Another notable figure was Lőrinc Hegedűs (1619-1678), a Franciscan friar and writer who authored several works on theology and philosophy. He was born in the town of Győr and spent much of his life in various monasteries throughout Hungary.
In the 18th century, the Hegedus surname can be found in records from the town of Eger, located in northern Hungary. One example is Gáspár Hegedűs (1733-1803), a prominent Catholic priest and theologian who served as the Bishop of Eger from 1792 until his death.
Moving into the 19th century, a notable figure was the Hungarian politician and writer Sándor Hegedűs (1847-1911). He served as the Minister of Finance in the Hungarian government and was also a prolific author, publishing works on economics and political topics.
Throughout its history, the Hegedus surname has maintained a strong connection to its musical origins, with many individuals bearing this name being involved in the arts, particularly in the field of classical music and violin performance or craftsmanship.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Hegedus
Among Census respondents with the surname Hegedus, the largest self-reported group is White at 95.4%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (2.5%) and Two or More Races (1.1%).
The bar chart below shows how Hegedus bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2010 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.
Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the Hegedus surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White95.4%
- Hispanic or Latino2.5%
- Two or more races1.1%
- Asian and Pacific Islander0.5%
- Unknown or suppressed0.5%
Year on year
2000 vs 2010 Census
How has the Hegedus surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
| Metric | 2000 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #16,450 | #16,765 | -1.9% |
| Count | 1,610 | 1,704 | 5.8% |
| Per 100K | 0.60 | 0.58 | -3.3% |
Between the 2000 and 2010 Census, the number of Hegedus bearers went from 1,610 to 1,704 (+5.8% change). The surname moved down 315 positions in the national ranking, going from #16,450 to #16,765.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Hegedus
FAQ
Hegedus surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Hegedus?
The surname Hegedus holds position #16,765 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 1,988 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.58 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Hegedus surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Hegedus, the largest self-reported group is White at 95.4%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (2.5%) and Two or More Races (1.1%). These figures come from the 2010 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Where does this surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These tables list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2010 Census, along with a frequency rate and self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.