Find out how popular the last name Nem is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Nem.

Nem, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Nem surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Nem in America

Nem is the 83834th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Nem surname appeared 224 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Nem.

We can also compare 2010 data for Nem to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Nem

The surname "NEM" originated in Hungary during the Middle Ages. It is believed to have derived from the Hungarian word "nem," meaning "noble" or "gentle." This suggests that the name was initially associated with individuals of noble or gentle birth.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name "NEM" can be found in a Hungarian census document from the 14th century, where it was spelled "Nemes." This spelling variation indicates that the name was closely tied to the Hungarian word "nemes," which also means "noble."

In the 15th century, the name "NEM" appeared in several historical records and manuscripts, including a land deed from the town of Eger, in northern Hungary. This document mentioned a landowner named Istvan NEM, who lived between 1420 and 1489.

As the name spread across Hungary and neighboring regions, it underwent various spelling variations, such as "Nemeth," "Nemethy," and "Nemecz." These variations often reflected regional dialects and linguistic influences.

One notable individual with the surname "NEM" was Janos NEM (1524-1587), a Hungarian nobleman and military commander who played a significant role in the Long War against the Ottoman Empire. He was renowned for his bravery and strategic leadership during several battles.

Another prominent figure was Miklos NEM (1657-1726), a Hungarian poet and philosopher who wrote extensively on moral and ethical topics. His works were widely read and influential among the intellectual circles of his time.

In the 18th century, the name "NEM" was found in records from the town of Keszthely, in western Hungary. One of the most prominent individuals from this region was Istvan NEM (1745-1817), a renowned architect who designed several notable buildings, including the Festetics Palace in Keszthely.

As the name spread beyond Hungary, it also gained a foothold in neighboring countries, such as Austria and Slovakia. In the 19th century, there were records of individuals with the surname "NEM" living in these regions, often associated with Hungarian communities or families.

One notable figure from this era was Bela NEM (1818-1898), a Hungarian-born Austrian painter known for his landscapes and portraits. He spent much of his career in Vienna, where he achieved significant recognition and acclaim.

Throughout its history, the surname "NEM" has maintained a strong connection to its Hungarian roots and the concept of nobility or gentle birth. While its spelling and regional variations have evolved over time, the name has endured as a testament to the rich cultural heritage of Hungary and its neighboring regions.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Nem

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Nem.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Nem was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Nem has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Nem was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Nem, please contact us.

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