Horvath

Horvath is a common Hungarian surname, originating from Croatia. It is an older version of the noun "Hrvat" which is the Croatian-language name for a Croat, (Hungarian: Horvát). The initial holders of this surname most likely were ethnic Croats living or working in Hungary. Although with later generations the percentage of Croatian ethnicity was probably watered down, initially the last name was a way of distinguishing a particular first name who happens to be "the Croat," i.e. Ivan Horvath in that initial context meant Ivan "the Croat." The surname "Horvat", without the "h" (as the sound 'th' does not exist in the Croatian language) still exists and is not an uncommon surname in Croatia or the Croatian diaspora. Geneaologists should, therefore, research both spellings for additional family links.