Szabo
A Hungarian surname meaning “tailor.”
The #4,619 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 40,212 Americans shares it.
Etymology
Szabó is the Hungarian word for a tailor, and the surname developed from that occupation. The spelling reflects the Hungarian long vowel in the common noun, which is often simplified in English-language records to Szabo. In origin it is an occupational byname, like Smith or Baker in English.
History
The name is especially associated with Hungary and Hungarian-speaking communities, and it spread more widely through migration from Central Europe. In English-speaking countries it is often found without the accent, as Szabo. Because tailoring was a common and important trade, the surname became widespread within Hungarian naming traditions.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
In Hungarian, szabó is still the everyday word for a tailor, not just a surname.
From the historical record
“Syrich 258. Syrus 57. Szabo 548, 634. Szass 335. *Szass-Sebes 7. *Szeben 6. Szellö 701. Szentivany 698.”
— Die Personennamen, insbesondere die Familiennamen