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

Fu, 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 Fu surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Fu in America

Fu is the 4235th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Fu surname appeared 8,370 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 Fu.

We can also compare 2010 data for Fu 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 Fu

The surname Fu has its origins in China, where it first emerged during the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD). It is derived from the Chinese word "fu," which means "good fortune" or "prosperity." The name was initially used as a given name before becoming a hereditary surname.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Fu surname can be found in the historical records of the Song Dynasty (960-1279 AD), where it was mentioned in the works of renowned scholars and poets. During this period, the Fu family established itself as a prominent clan in the Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces.

In the 13th century, a branch of the Fu family relocated to the Fujian province, where they became known for their accomplishments in the imperial examinations and civil service. This lineage produced several notable figures, including Fu Sheng (1262-1344), a celebrated philosopher and statesman who served as a high-ranking official during the Yuan Dynasty.

As the Fu family continued to flourish, their name became associated with various place names across China. For instance, the city of Fuzhou in Fujian province is believed to have derived its name from the Fu clan, which had a significant presence in the area.

Throughout history, the Fu surname has been carried by numerous influential individuals. One such figure was Fu Shan (1607-1684), a renowned painter and calligrapher during the Ming and Qing dynasties, whose works are highly regarded in the art world.

Another notable bearer of the Fu surname was Fu Baoshi (1904-1965), a celebrated Chinese artist known for his innovative and influential ink paintings. His works are celebrated for their unique blending of traditional and modern styles, and he is considered one of the most important Chinese painters of the 20th century.

In the realm of literature, Fu Sinian (1896-1950) was a prominent scholar and historian who made significant contributions to the study of Chinese philosophy and culture. His works played a crucial role in preserving and promoting traditional Chinese values during a period of rapid modernization.

Additionally, the Fu surname has been associated with military leaders and strategists throughout Chinese history. One such figure was Fu Jiamo (1645-1704), a renowned general and strategist during the Qing Dynasty, who played a pivotal role in suppressing several rebellions and defending the empire's borders.

The surname Fu continues to be widely used in China and among Chinese communities around the world, carrying with it a rich history and cultural significance that spans centuries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Fu

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

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

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

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