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

Vajda, 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 Vajda surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Vajda in America

Vajda is the 37229th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Vajda surname appeared 599 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 Vajda.

We can also compare 2010 data for Vajda 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 Vajda

The surname Vajda is of Hungarian origin, with its roots tracing back to the Middle Ages. The name is derived from the Hungarian word "vajda," which means "leader" or "commander." This title was historically given to military leaders or governors responsible for administering certain regions or fortresses.

In the early centuries, the Vajda name was closely associated with the nobility and ruling class of the Kingdom of Hungary. Many historical records from the 13th to 16th centuries mention individuals bearing this surname, often in connection with their roles as military commanders or provincial governors.

One of the earliest documented references to the Vajda name can be found in the Codex Diploma, a collection of royal charters and decrees from the Árpád dynasty, which ruled Hungary from the late 9th to the early 14th century. The codex mentions several prominent figures with the Vajda surname, including Miklós Vajda, a military commander who served under King Béla IV in the 13th century.

Another notable figure was János Vajda, a Hungarian nobleman and military leader who played a crucial role in the defense of the Kingdom of Hungary against Ottoman Turkish invasions in the 16th century. He was born in 1492 and fought bravely in several battles, including the Siege of Buda in 1541.

The Vajda surname was also associated with certain geographic locations within the historical boundaries of the Kingdom of Hungary. For example, the Vajdahunyad Castle, located in present-day Romania, was initially constructed in the 15th century by the Vajda family, who held the title of "Voivode" (a Slavic equivalent of "Vajda") in the region of Transylvania.

Péter Vajda, born in 1808, was a Hungarian poet and revolutionary who played a significant role in the Hungarian Revolution of 1848-1849. His poetry and writings inspired many Hungarians during the struggle for independence from the Austrian Empire.

Another notable figure was Mihály Vajda, a 19th-century Hungarian painter and illustrator known for his depictions of rural life and landscapes. He was born in 1834 and his works are highly regarded in Hungarian art history.

While the Vajda surname has its roots in medieval Hungary, it has since spread to other parts of Europe and beyond, carried by individuals and families of Hungarian descent. The name continues to hold a significant place in the cultural and historical legacy of Hungary.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Vajda

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

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

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

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