Natan Nata Neumann

Vigder, Nathan and Hersko Neuman are all listed in 1821-22 Census in Sookut, Varanno. Also see Neuman, Nathan, Varanno, Zemplen, 1811-12, Household 2905, Source: Adalekok Zemplen Megye Tortenetehez article by Dr Izidor Goldberg

Research: Neuman, Nathan, Alsokortvelyes, Zemplen, 1811-12, Household 50

SEGAL is an abbreviation for Segan Leviyyah (S"GL). SEGAL is an abbreviation for Segan Leviyyah (S"GL). The earliest use of this designation that we are aware of is by Rabbi Isaac ben Eliezer (d. 1070 CE), one of the great "scholars of Worms" and a teacher of Rashi. According to the Encyclopedia Judaica, Rabbi Isaac ben Eliezer was "known as segan Leviyyah-meaning a Levite", and in Rashi's commentary on the Talmud, Rabbi Isaac is referred to as "Leviyyah". The acronym of Segal is used in the introduction to "Sefer Maharil". The editor, the Maharil's disciple Rabbi Zalman, writes of the Maharil (Rabbi Jacob ben Moses Levi Moelin, Mainz 1360-1427): "he is noted in the gates by his designation 'MaHa"R Jacob Moelin'; however I have included as his epithet 'MaHaR"I Sega"l' because he was from the tribe of the Levites".

It is not clear why "SeGan Leviyyah" would be used as a title instead of the simpler designation "HaLevi". "SeGan" is typically used in Hebrew to mean "deputy", rendering the designation as "Levitical deputy". Intriguingly, the Alcalay dictionary gives an archaic definition of the word "SeGan" as "(formerly) deputy to the High Priest". This archaic definition would then render Segal as "Levitical Deputy to the High Priest", which makes more sense. However, there were many subtleties to the priestly and Levitical designations, including the term "HaKohanim HaLeviim" used in the bible, so the designation Segal may refer to some subtle hierarchy relationship. Beth Hatefusoth (Museum of the Jewish Diaspora) has the following explanation of the name Segal:

  An abbreviation of the Hebrew "segan-leviyyah", which means "prince of the Levites" or "assistant of the high priest", Segal was originally a function and title which became a family name. Some of its forms include the customary Slavonic endings indicating descent from a male ancestor: -ov/off, -ic/ici and their Germanized spellings -itz/itsch. Changes in vocalization and the trend of adjusting to the languages of the ethnic minorities among whom Jews were living in the diaspora, produced variants such as Sagal and Sigal but also Segel and Siegel ("sail" and "seal" in German), the French Segalot (derived from the Polish/German Segalovitz) and the Hungarian and Polish