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

Besu, 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 Besu surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Besu in America

Besu is the 150452nd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Besu surname appeared 109 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 Besu.

We can also compare 2010 data for Besu to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Besu

The surname BESU has its origins in northern Italy, dating back to the 11th century. It is believed to have derived from the Italian word "beso," which means "twisted" or "crooked." This could suggest that the name was initially given to someone with a physical trait or characteristic that matched the description.

In the region of Lombardy, there are records of individuals with the surname BESU appearing in historical documents from the 13th century onwards. One of the earliest mentions is found in a land registry from the town of Bergamo, where a certain Guglielmo BESU is listed as a landowner.

During the Renaissance period, the BESU name gained some prominence in the city of Milan. A notable figure was Antonio BESU (1450-1527), a skilled architect who contributed to the design and construction of several churches and palaces in the city. His work can still be admired in the intricate stonework and arches of some of Milan's most iconic buildings.

In the 17th century, the BESU family had established a presence in the nearby city of Brescia. Here, a branch of the family produced several notable scholars and academics. One such individual was Girolamo BESU (1620-1692), a renowned philosopher and theologian who taught at the University of Padua.

Another distinguished member of the BESU lineage was Marcello BESU (1785-1856), a military officer who served under Napoleon Bonaparte's army during the Napoleonic Wars. He earned recognition for his bravery and leadership on the battlefield, eventually rising to the rank of general.

As the BESU family spread across northern Italy over the centuries, variations in the spelling of the name emerged. Some historical records show the surname written as "Beso," "Bezzu," or "Bezzi," reflecting regional dialects and linguistic influences.

While the BESU surname may not have attained widespread fame or notoriety, it has left its mark on the historical tapestry of northern Italy, woven into the fabric of various professions, from architecture and academia to military service.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Besu

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

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 Besu 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.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Besu has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

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 Besu was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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