North America experienced three waves of Hungarian, Magyars as they call themselves, migrations. Consisting of educated classes, the first was during the mid-1850s with approximately 3,000 migrating. Consisting mostly of the poor and uneducated classes, the second wave saw 650,000-700,000 ethnic Hungarians. The third wave, precipitated by the Soviet Union taking power, led to over 40,000 Hungarians fleeing to North America.
As a result, Hungarians with ancestral background are numerous in North America who have assimilated into the mainline culture. However, there is a sizeable number who speak Hungarian as their first language, being their primary means of communicating with one another.
Though varying upon one's background and origin, Hungarian culture values formality. When writing their names or introducing themselves, their last name comes first. It’s simply the formal way of introducing one's self or presenting a name publicly.