Tarr is a Hungarian surname. It is a variant of the surname Tar, which itself is derived from the Hungarian word tar meaning "bald". The name likely originated as a nickname for a bald person, following a common pattern of surname formation in Hungarian and other cultures where physical characteristics gave rise to hereditary family names.
Distribution and Variants
As a Hungarian surname, Tarr is found primarily in Hungary and among Hungarian diaspora communities. The root name Tar appears in Hungarian records, and Tarr is its most common variant. The relationship mirrors other Hungarian surname variants where an extra 'r' or similar suffixes are added, possibly through phonetic variation or clerical transcription over time.
Cultural References
The name Tarr is also known through Tarr, a modernist novel by Wyndham Lewis written between 1907 and 1911, revised and published in serialized form from 1916 to 1917, and later as a book in 1918 (US) and 1928 (final UK edition). The novel's protagonist is named Tarr, which does not necessarily reflect the surname's origin but has given it a presence in English literary circles. While the novel is not directly related to the Hungarian surname, it contributes to the name's recognition.
- Meaning: "Bald" (nickname for a bald person)
- Origin: Hungarian
- Type: Surname (variant of Tar)
- Usage Regions: Primarily Hungary
Sources: Wikipedia — Tarr