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

Mau, 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 Mau surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Mau in America

Mau is the 10541st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Mau surname appeared 3,042 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 1 people would have the surname Mau.

We can also compare 2010 data for Mau 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 Mau

The surname Mau originates from Germany, with its earliest known roots dating back to the 13th century. It is believed to have derived from the Middle High German word "mü," which means "gull" or "seagull." This suggests that the name may have been initially used as a nickname for someone who lived near the coast or had a physical or behavioral resemblance to a seagull.

Historical records indicate that the name Mau appeared in various regions of Germany, particularly in the northern and central areas. One of the earliest documented instances of the name can be found in the town of Lübeck, where a merchant named Johann Mau was recorded in the city's archives in the year 1287.

In the early 15th century, a notable figure named Hans Mau was mentioned in the chronicles of the city of Cologne. He was a respected artisan and guild member who played a role in shaping the city's craftsmanship traditions during that period.

Another significant individual bearing the surname Mau was Martin Mau, a theologian and scholar who lived from 1542 to 1610. He was a prominent figure in the Protestant Reformation and served as a professor at the University of Wittenberg, where he taught and wrote extensively on religious subjects.

During the 16th century, the name Mau also appeared in various regions of Switzerland, likely due to migration patterns from neighboring German territories. One notable Swiss figure was Hans Rudolf Mau, a military commander who served in the Swiss Guard during the late 1500s.

In the 17th century, the name Mau gained prominence in the Netherlands, where a family of that name established themselves as successful merchants and traders. One of the most renowned members of this Dutch branch was Willem Mau, a wealthy merchant and shipping magnate who lived from 1628 to 1701.

While the surname Mau has its origins in Germany and the surrounding regions, it has since spread to various parts of the world through migration and cultural exchange. However, its deep roots and historical significance remain firmly tied to its Germanic heritage.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Mau

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

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

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

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