Surname Vargha - Meaning and Origin
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Vargha: What does the surname Vargha mean?
The last name Vargha is an occupational name from the Hungarian language derived from the word "vár," meaning "fortress" or "tower." It could have been used to refer to a man who worked in a fortress or owned or managed one.
The name is also used by people of Jewish descent in Eastern Europe. While the exact origin is unknown, some theorize that it originates from the Hungarian word for "food" (várgya) and was a term used to describe someone who supplied food to the fortress or castle.
The Vargha surname is common in many areas of Hungary, Romania, Belarus, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Ukraine, among other Eastern European countries. It is also sometimes found in other parts of Europe, the United States, Canada, and Israel. In a few instances, the spelling has been changed to a more international form, such as Varga or Vargo.
The name Vargha has a long and varied history, spanning different parts of the world and carrying with it different meanings. Whether it is used to indicate an occupational origin or a Jewish one, or even a more general one, the fact remains that the name is a true testament to the diversity and richness of the cultural heritage of many parts of the world.
Order DNA origin analysisVargha: Where does the name Vargha come from?
The Vargha surname is most common in the former Austro-Hungarian Empire countries, including Slovakia, Hungary, and the Czech Republic. It is also relatively common in some areas of Serbia, Ukraine and Romania.
The most popular form of the name in these countries is Varga or Vargy. This is a patronymic name, meaning that the original bearer of the surname was the son of somebody called Vár or Varga. It is derived from the Hungarian word 'vár', meaning 'castle' or 'fortress'.
The equivalent surname in other languages is Verga (Italian), Varge (Lithuanain) and Varg (Croatain). All these forms come from the same root and may have been adopted by different branches of the same family who moved around or emigrated.
Today, the Vargha surname can be found in many countries around the world, often as part of a longer version of the name which includes the original surname, such as Vargy-Brown or Varga-Smith. This indicates that the bearer's family has adopted the local custom of taking on a hyphenated name.
In the United States, there are around 17,600 people with the Vargha surname. A significant number of people with the surname can also be found in Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
Variations of the surname Vargha
The surname Vargha has various variant spellings, including Varga, Varge, Vargha, Vargho, Verga, Varga, Varghu, Varghe, Varchi, and Varghyo. These variants are largely found across Europe and the United States among individuals of Hungarian, Slovakian, and Romanian origin.
The surname is thought to have originated in the Middle Ages and is derived from the Hungarian word Varga, which means 'watchman'. An ancient Hungarian tradition involved the appointment of guardians or watchmen to look after rural communities and estate. Those individuals were given the planet 'Varga', which eventually evolved into the surname.
Another version of the surname is found among those of Romanian origin and takes the spelling of Vrghii or Vrghi. It is thought to be derived from the Romanian word 'vrâg', which translates to 'enemy' or ‘stranger'. A similar word in the Slavic languages also links the surname to the concept of a stranger or foreigner.
The Hungarian version of the surname is used in various European countries in addition to being common in the United States. Variations of the surname can be found in the US under spellings including Vaughn, Varn, Vergho, Vorge, and Varno.
In addition to the different variations in spelling, there are also various related surnames such as Burga, Burge, Varkony, Varjú, Vargam, Varny, Varju, Varja, and Vargehegy. These surnames are thought to have been derived from the original Hungarian word Varga and are shared by people of various Central and Eastern European backgrounds.
Famous people with the name Vargha
- Gábor Várhelyi: Hungarian politician, currently the European Commissioner for Neighborhood and Enlargement.
- Kitti Várhelyi: Hungarian Olympic swimmer who competed in the 2000 games.
- Bartosz Várhelyi: Polish film director, screenwriter, and producer.
- Zsuzsanna Várhelyi: Hungarian journalist, tv presenter and winner of the Tancsik Award for Best Storyteller.
- Zoltán Várhelyi: Hungarian athlete who has won gold medals at the European Athletics Championships and various Hungarian National Athletics Championships.
- József Várhelyi: Hungarian guitarist, composer, and singer-songwriter, best known as a member of the band ‘Honey Beasts’.
- Balázs Várhelyi: Hungarian tennis player, competing both as an amateur and a professional.
- Dávid Várhelyi: Hungarian football player and manager, currently coach of the U17 National Team.
- Zoltán Várhelyi: Hungarian film producer, director and founder of the Vargha Brothers studio.
- Alexander Várhelyi: Hungarian political scientist and social theorist.