Find out how popular the last name Ashu is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Ashu.

Ashu, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Ashu surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Ashu in America

Ashu is the 122314th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Ashu surname appeared 141 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Ashu.

The history of the last name Ashu

The surname ASHU has its origins in India, with the earliest records of the name dating back to the 16th century. It is believed to have been derived from the Sanskrit word "Ashu," which means "swift" or "quick." This suggests that the name may have been initially given to individuals who were known for their speed or agility.

In the early days, the ASHU surname was predominantly found in the northern regions of India, particularly in the states of Uttar Pradesh and Punjab. It is thought to have originated among the Kshatriya caste, which traditionally consisted of warriors and rulers.

One of the earliest documented references to the ASHU name can be found in the Ain-i-Akbari, a 16th-century administrative document commissioned by the Mughal Emperor Akbar. This record mentions a nobleman named Ashu Singh, who held a prominent position in the imperial court.

In the 17th century, the ASHU surname gained further recognition with the rise of the Sikh Empire in the Punjab region. During this period, several notable figures bearing the ASHU name emerged as military leaders and administrators. One such individual was Bhai Ashu Singh (1670-1738), a revered Sikh warrior and companion of Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Sikh Guru.

Another prominent figure was Raja Ashu Singh Rathore (1703-1765), a Rajput ruler who governed the princely state of Akhnoor in present-day Jammu and Kashmir. He was known for his military prowess and his role in defending the region against invading forces.

In the 19th century, the ASHU name was associated with the freedom struggle against British colonial rule. Rai Ashu Tomar (1822-1890), a renowned poet and freedom fighter from Uttar Pradesh, played a significant role in rallying support for the Indian independence movement through his literary works.

During the same period, the ASHU surname gained further recognition with the birth of Lala Ashu Ram Wattal (1857-1935), a pioneering lawyer and social reformer from Punjab. He was instrumental in promoting education and advocating for the rights of women and underprivileged communities.

As the centuries progressed, individuals bearing the ASHU surname continued to make their mark in various fields, including politics, literature, and the arts. Some notable examples include Ashu Bahl, a contemporary Indian writer and screenwriter, and Ashu Khosla, a renowned Indian classical dancer and choreographer.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Ashu

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Ashu.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Ashu was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Ashu was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Ashu, please contact us.

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