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

Nen, 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 Nen surname is from the 2000 census data.

Popularity of Nen in America

Nen is the 150436th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Nen surname appeared 100 times in the 2000 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Nen.

The history of the last name Nen

The surname Nen is relatively rare and carries a unique heritage and etymology. The roots of the surname Nen can be traced back to the regions of Eastern Europe, particularly to Hungary, during the medieval period. It is believed to have origins in words that denote distinct geographical or topographical features, or it could be derived from old Hungarian or Slavic languages.

One possible root is the old Hungarian word "nen," which means "mother." This usage could suggest a matronymic origin, where the surname was derived from a revered matriarchal figure or a family head. Another theory links it to Slavic languages, where "nen" could be a truncation or variation of a word indicating a local feature like a stream or a meadow, commonly used to describe a person living near such landmarks.

Historical references to the surname Nen are sparse, but some records from the 13th and 14th centuries in Hungary do mention families bearing this name. Old manuscripts, land deeds, and local registers from towns such as Buda and Pest list individuals with the surname Nen, indicating their involvement in local governance or trade.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the name Nen is István Nen, mentioned in a 1278 document regarding land ownership in the region of present-day Budapest. His family was noted among the landed gentry, having acquired their estates through royal grants. Another notable figure is László Nen, who appears in 1356 records as a merchant and a town council member in the city of Szeged.

Noteworthy historical figures with the surname Nen include Mária Nen, a prominent 15th-century herbalist from Transylvania who was known for her contributions to local medicine and natural remedies. Her notoriety was such that she was consulted by nobility and commoners alike. Another person of interest is András Nen, mentioned in 1491 as a master stonemason who contributed to the construction of several churches and fortifications in northern Hungary.

During the late medieval period, the surname appears more frequently in church and tax records. In 1510, Tamás Nen is documented as a local judge in Debrecen, reflecting the growing civic roles individuals with this surname played in their communities.

In the 16th century, one of the distinguished bearers of the surname was János Nen, a cavalry officer who served under King Louis II of Hungary during the Battle of Mohács in 1526. His military service earned him recognition and mentions in chronicles detailing the battle's events.

The surname Nen, while not exceptionally common, carries with it a rich historical tapestry interwoven with regional history, societal roles, and geographical features. The individuals bearing this surname have played various roles in their communities from noble landowners to civic leaders, artisans, and healers, marking their presence in the annals of history.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Nen

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

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 2000 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Nen 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.

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 Nen was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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