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

Rhyu, 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 Rhyu surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Rhyu in America

Rhyu is the 158432nd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Rhyu surname appeared 102 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 Rhyu.

The history of the last name Rhyu

The surname RHYU has its origins in the Korean peninsula, emerging around the 6th century during the Three Kingdoms period. It is believed to be derived from the ancient Korean word "rhyu," which means "flowing water" or "stream." This likely indicates that the name originated among a clan or group residing near a river or waterway in what is now modern-day South Korea.

One of the earliest recorded references to the name RHYU can be found in the Samguk Sagi, a historical record compiled in 1145 during the Goryeo dynasty. The text mentions a prominent figure named RHYU Seung-won, who served as a military commander and advisor to King Sinmun in the 7th century.

During the Joseon dynasty, which ruled from 1392 to 1897, the RHYU surname gained further prominence. Records from this period show that the name was concentrated in the Gyeongsang and Jeolla provinces, particularly in the areas around the Nakdong River and its tributaries.

In the 16th century, a notable RHYU was RHYU Seong-ryong (1542-1607), a revered Confucian scholar and writer who served as a royal tutor and advisor to King Seonjo. His works on ethics and governance were widely studied by the Joseon aristocracy.

Another significant figure from this era was RHYU Gwan-sun (1556-1618), a skilled military strategist and general who played a crucial role in defending Korea against Japanese invasions in the late 16th century.

Moving into the 19th century, RHYU Byeong-hyu (1819-1885) was a prominent statesman and diplomat who served as a Korean envoy to China and Japan. He played a pivotal role in navigating Korea's relations with its neighboring powers during a period of rapid change and modernization.

A more contemporary figure was RHYU Deok-gyu (1898-1962), a celebrated poet and writer who was a leading voice in the Korean literary renaissance of the early 20th century. His works explored themes of national identity, tradition, and the struggles of the Korean people during the Japanese colonial period.

While the RHYU surname may have evolved in spelling or pronunciation over the centuries, its origins can be traced back to the ancient waterways of the Korean peninsula, reflecting the deep connection between this family name and the natural landscapes that shaped the region's history and culture.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Rhyu

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

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 Rhyu 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.

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

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

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