The white grape variety originates from Hungary. The name means "lime leaf" and derives from the distantly similar leaf shape as well as from the aroma of the large, loose-berried grapes. Synonyms are Feuille de Tilleul (France); Lipolist, Lipolist Biyali (Croatia); Lämmerschwanz, Lindenblättrige, Lindener, Weißer Lämmerschwanz (Austria); Lipovina (Slovakia, Czech Republic); Budai Fehér, Budai Gohér, Harch Levelu, Hárslevele, Hárslevelu, Hársleveleue, Harst Levelyu, Hárzevelu, Kerekes, Kereklevelü, Tarpai, Teisor (Hungary). It must not be confused with the varieties Ezerjó (Budai Fehér, Kerekes), Hosszunyelü or Mézes Fe hér (Budai Fehér), despite seemingly suggestive synonyms or morphological similarities. According to the latest DNA analysis in 2013, it is a presumed natural cross between Furmint x unknown partner. However, this is based on only 20 DNA markers (see Molecular genetics). Hárslevelű was a crossing partner of the new varieties Conegliano, Ezerfürtű, Kabar, Lena, Úrréti and Zefír.
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