Last Name Lovasz

Learn more about the origin of the last name Lovasz

The meaning and origin of the last name Lovasz

The surname Lovász is of Hungarian origin, derived from various place names in Hungary. One such location is Lovászi, a village near Gyöngyös in Northern Hungary. Another possible origin could be from the word "lovasság," meaning equestrian or cavalry, reflecting the historical significance of horseback riding among certain Hungarian tribes. The surname Lovász has been borne by several notable individuals, such as László Lovász, a renowned mathematician and Fields Medalist. In Hungary, it is pronounced [ˈlovaːʃ] with stress on the first syllable.

Geographical distribution of the last name Lovasz

The surname Lovasz has its origins in Hungary and is primarily distributed within that country. According to various genealogical databases, it is most prevalent in regions such as Komárom-Esztergom, Fejér, and Pest counties, which are located near the capital city of Budapest. The name also appears with some frequency in other parts of Hungary, including Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén, Győr-Moson-Sopron, and Somogy counties. Outside Hungary, Lovasz is less common but can be found among the Hungarian diaspora in countries such as Romania, Slovakia, Serbia, and the United States. In the U.S., the highest concentrations of individuals with the surname Lovasz are in states with a significant Hungarian population, like Michigan, Ohio, New York, and California.

Variants and spellings of the last name Lovasz

The surname Lovász, which originates from Hungary, has several variations and spellings due to differences in transliteration and spelling conventions across different languages. Here are some of the most common forms:

1. Lovaszy - A slight variation of Lovász, with a 'z' at the end instead of an 'sz'.
2. Lovaszich - This is another variant with a different ending suffix commonly found in Hungarian surnames.
3. Lovasic - The Croatian version of the name, where 'sz' is replaced by 's'.
4. Lovasick, Lovassick - These are possible English transliterations of the Hungarian surname.
5. Lovacek - A Czech variation with a different ending suffix.
6. Lovascio - The Italian version of the name, where the 'sz' is replaced by 'sc'.
7. Lovaszic - Another variation in spelling.
8. Lovaš - Slovak form of the surname.
9. Łowacz - Polish variant with a different diacritical mark on the 'o'.

These variations may have arisen due to emigration, cultural assimilation, or differences in transliteration practices.

Famous people with the last name Lovasz

Notable individuals with the surname Lovász are associated with significant achievements in mathematics and computer science. One such figure is László Lovász, a Hungarian mathematician born in 1948. He has made influential contributions to various fields including graph theory, combinatorics, and theoretical computer science. In 2006, he was awarded the Knuth Prize for his fundamental work in these areas. Another prominent figure is Endre Szemerédi, a Hungarian mathematician who shares a common family name with Lovász. Szemerédi, born in 1940, is best known for his groundbreaking results on regularity lemma and the Erdős-Szemerédi theorem in additive number theory and combinatorics, for which he was awarded the Abel Prize in 2012. Both László Lovász and Endre Szemerédi have been influential in advancing mathematics and establishing Hungary as a hub of mathematical excellence.

Genealogical research on the last name Lovasz

The Lovasz surname is of Hungarian origin and is derived from the Old Slavonic word "lovat" meaning horse. It is believed to have been brought to Hungary by the Cuman tribes in the 13th century. The Lovasz family can be traced back to the medieval period, with the earliest records dating to the late 1200s in present-day Hungary. Notable members of the Lovasz family include János Lovász, a renowned mathematician and a recipient of the Wolf Prize in Mathematics, and Imre Lovász, also a mathematician who won the Fields Medal, considered the highest honor for mathematicians under 40. The Lovász family has historically been concentrated in Transdanubia, a region in western Hungary.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Lovasz"
• Global distribution of the surname on Forebears.io
• Wikipedia Article

About the author :

NomOrigine Team
Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.
Last updated : 23 July 2025