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

Du, 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 Du surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Du in America

Du is the 4690th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Du surname appeared 7,566 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 3 people would have the surname Du.

We can also compare 2010 data for Du 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 Du

The surname "DU" originated in France and is derived from the Old French word "du," meaning "from" or "of." This surname first emerged in the 11th century as a distinguishing name for individuals who came from a particular place or region.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname "DU" can be found in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive record of landowners in England during the reign of William the Conqueror in 1086. The name appeared as "du Bois," referring to someone who hailed from a wooded area or a specific place called Bois.

In the 12th century, the surname "DU" began appearing in various forms, such as "du Lac," "du Mont," and "du Pont," indicating a person's connection to a lake, mountain, or bridge, respectively. These place-based surnames were common during this period and helped distinguish individuals from different locations.

A notable figure bearing the surname "DU" was Guillaume du Bellay (1491-1543), a French diplomat and writer who served as a chamberlain to Francis I, the King of France. He is known for his memoirs, which provide valuable insights into the political and social landscape of 16th-century France.

Another prominent individual with the surname "DU" was Jacques du Chastel (c. 1515-1592), a French lawyer and diplomat who played a crucial role in the French Wars of Religion. He is remembered for his efforts to promote religious tolerance and reconciliation during a turbulent period in French history.

In the 17th century, the "DU" surname gained prominence with the works of Samuel du Bois (1616-1683), a French theologian and academic who made significant contributions to the field of theology and biblical studies. His writings were widely read and influential during his time.

Moving into the 18th century, we encounter Louis du Bouchet (1679-1734), a French philosopher and writer who was known for his satirical works critiquing the societal norms and practices of his era. His works offered a unique perspective on the intellectual and cultural landscape of 18th-century France.

Finally, in the 19th century, we find Marie-Sophie du Moncel (1846-1920), a French feminist and activist who fought for women's rights and advocated for better education and employment opportunities for women. She was a influential figure in the early stages of the women's rights movement in France.

Throughout its history, the surname "DU" has been associated with individuals from various walks of life, including diplomats, writers, theologians, philosophers, and activists. While its origins can be traced back to Old French and place-based names, it has remained a prominent surname across generations, carrying with it a rich tapestry of stories and contributions to society.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Du

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

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

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

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!