Explore the Family Name Hajdu
The meaning of Hajdu
1. Hungarian (Hajdú): status name for a mercenary, retainer in the service of local landowners, or for a highwayman, from hajdú, a word derived from hajtó ‘drover’. The surname is, however, chiefly associated with the settlement of some 10,000 mercenaries in eastern Hungary by Prince István Bocskay as a reward for their support. Their towns, dating from 1605, still retain Hajdú- as the first element. This surname is also common in Slovakia (mainly in the form Hajdu). See also Hajduk, compare Haydu. 2. Jewish (from Hungary; Hajdú): adoption of the name in 1 above either as a Hungarian calque of the formerly used German-based surname, or because the Hungarian surname (or word) has some sounds in common with the original surname. Some characteristic forenames: Hungarian Istvan, Aladar, Bela, Erzsebet, Karoly, Katalin, Laszlo, Sandor.
Dictionary of American Family Names, 2nd edition, © Oxford University Press, 2022.
How common is the last name Hajdu in the United States?
Based on the Decennial U.S. Census, the surname Hajdu has seen a notable increase in popularity between 2000 and 2010. In 2000, Hajdu was ranked as the 62,046th most popular surname, with a total of 302 individuals identified. However, by 2010, the rank had improved to 51,830, reflecting a substantial change of 16.47%. Similarly, the count of individuals bearing the Hajdu surname climbed from 302 to 401, indicating a significant increase of 32.78%. The proportion per 100k people also rose from 0.11 to 0.14 during this period, showcasing a growth rate of 27.27%.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #62,046 | #51,830 | 16.47% |
| Count | 302 | 401 | 32.78% |
| Proportion per 100k | 0.11 | 0.14 | 27.27% |
Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Hajdu
The Decennial U.S. Census also provides insights into the ethnic identity of those carrying the Hajdu surname. In 2000, an overwhelming majority (95.03%) identified as White, and this percentage increased slightly to 96.76% in 2010. Those identifying as two or more races made up 2.65% of the Hajdu surname bearers in 2000, but this figure dropped to 1.25% by 2010. Interestingly, no individuals identified as Asian/Pacific Islander, Black, or American Indian and Alaskan Native in either year. There was, however, a small emergence of Hispanic ethnicity among those with the Hajdu surname, with 1.75% identifying as such in 2010, up from zero in 2000.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| White | 95.03% | 96.76% | 1.82% |
| Hispanic | 0% | 1.75% | 0% |
| Two or More Races | 2.65% | 1.25% | -52.83% |
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Black | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| American Indian and Alaskan Native | 0% | 0% | 0% |