Etymology
The surname Német is a variant of Németh, the Hungarian word for "German." In Hungarian, német is thought to derive from a Slavic root meaning "mute" or "one who does not speak," reflecting the historical perception of German-speaking people as unable to communicate in the local Slavic or Hungarian languages. The h at the end is a remnant of old Hungarian orthography, often retained in surnames, especially those of noble origin.
Variants and Distribution
Common variations include Nemeth, Neimeth, Nemath, Namath, and Nemet. In other Central and Eastern European languages, similar surnames exist: Czech has Němec and its diminutive Němeček (with feminine forms Němcová and Němečková); Polish has Niemczyk and Niemec. All these names originally denoted someone of German origin.
Notable Bearers
Several notable Hungarians bear the Németh variant: András Németh (Hungarian footballer), Kristóf Németh (shot putter), and Ágnes Németh (basketball player).
- Meaning: German
- Origin: Hungarian
- Type: Surname
- Usage regions: Hungary, Hungary's neighbouring countries
Sources: Wikipedia — Németh