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

Russu, 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 Russu surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Russu in America

Russu is the 108734th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Russu surname appeared 163 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 Russu.

The history of the last name Russu

The surname Russu has its origins in Italy, specifically in the regions of Sardinia and Sicily. It is believed to have emerged during the medieval period, around the 11th or 12th century. The name is derived from the Latin word "russus," which means "reddish" or "red-haired," suggesting that it was initially used as a descriptive name for individuals with reddish hair or complexion.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Russu surname can be found in a document from the year 1265, in which a certain Petru Russu is mentioned as a resident of the town of Cagliari, Sardinia. This document is preserved in the archives of the city's cathedral.

In the 14th century, the Russu family gained prominence in the town of Trapani, Sicily, where they were involved in the local administration and held influential positions. A notable figure from this era was Giovanni Russu, who served as the mayor of Trapani in the late 1300s.

During the Renaissance period, the Russu name appeared in several literary works and historical records. In 1492, a Sicilian poet named Antonio Russu published a collection of sonnets titled "Rime Siciliane," which showcased his talent as a writer and his connection to the island's cultural heritage.

In the 16th century, the Russu family expanded their influence to other parts of Italy. One notable member was Giulio Russu, a scholar and diplomat who was born in Naples in 1520. He served as an ambassador for the Kingdom of Naples and played a role in negotiating important treaties during his time.

The 17th century saw the emergence of a prominent Russu family in the city of Rome. Antonio Russu (1598-1668) was a renowned architect who contributed to the design of several churches and palaces in the Eternal City, leaving a lasting impact on the city's architectural landscape.

In the 19th century, Giuseppe Russu (1821-1892) was a Sicilian politician and patriot who actively participated in the movement for the unification of Italy. He served as a member of the Italian parliament and was known for his advocacy of social reforms and civil rights.

Throughout its history, the Russu surname has been associated with various places and localities in Italy. For instance, the town of Russu in the province of Oristano, Sardinia, likely derived its name from the presence of families bearing this surname in the area.

While this report focuses on the surname Russu, it is worth noting that variations of the name, such as Russo and Rosso, are also found in Italian and other European contexts, reflecting the influence of linguistic and cultural exchanges over time.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Russu

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

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

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

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