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

Cau, 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 Cau surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Cau in America

Cau is the 117480th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Cau surname appeared 148 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 Cau.

We can also compare 2010 data for Cau 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 Cau

The surname "Cau" is of Italian origin and can be traced back to the medieval period. It is believed to have derived from the Latin word "cavus," meaning "hollow" or "cave." This suggests that the name may have been initially given to someone who lived near or in a cave or a hollow area.

The earliest recorded instances of the surname "Cau" can be found in various historical documents from the 13th century in the regions of Piedmont and Liguria, located in northwestern Italy. Some of the earliest known bearers of this name include Giovanni Cau, a landowner mentioned in a property record from the city of Genoa in 1278, and Bartolomeo Cau, a merchant from Asti whose name appears in a trade register from 1312.

During the Renaissance period, the name "Cau" gained prominence with the rise of several notable individuals. One such figure was Antonio Cau, a renowned painter and sculptor from Genoa who lived between 1456 and 1528. His works are still celebrated for their intricate details and vibrant colors, showcasing the artistic talent associated with this surname.

In the 17th century, the name "Cau" emerged in various place names across Italy, such as Cau del Lago in the Lombardy region and Cau di Masone in Liguria. These place names may have been derived from the surname itself, indicating the presence of families bearing this name in those areas.

Another notable figure with the surname "Cau" was Girolamo Cau, a Sardinian monk and scholar who lived from 1616 to 1688. He was known for his extensive knowledge of theology and philosophy, and his writings on these subjects were widely recognized during his lifetime.

In the 19th century, the name "Cau" gained further recognition with the exploits of Giuseppe Cau, a Sardinian military officer and patriot who played a crucial role in the Italian unification movement. Born in 1821, he fought alongside Giuseppe Garibaldi and was instrumental in the liberation of Sicily and the eventual unification of Italy in 1861.

Throughout its history, the surname "Cau" has been associated with various professions, including artists, scholars, military leaders, and landowners. While its exact origins may remain shrouded in mystery, the name's longevity and geographical spread across Italy serve as a testament to its enduring presence in the country's cultural tapestry.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Cau

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

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

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

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