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Rare Last name

Shue

Derived from the German word "Schuh," referring to a shoemaker or someone who works with shoes.

According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 3,667 Americans carry the last name Shue. That puts it at #10,215 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 1.07 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 93,470 residents).

This page is the full Name Census profile for the Shue surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.

Bearers in the US

3.7K

1 in 93,470

Census rank

#10,215

2010 decennial data

Per 100,000

1.1

Frequency rate

Recorded bearers

3.2K

rare in the US

Popularity narrative

The Census Bureau recorded 3,155 bearers of the surname Shue in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 1.07 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 10215th position in the national surname ranking.

Among Census respondents with the surname Shue, the largest self-reported group is White at 87.3%. The next largest groups are Asian/Pacific Islander (9.5%) and Two or More Races (1.3%).

Origin

Meaning and origin of Shue

The surname "SHUE" is believed to have originated in Germany, with its earliest known roots dating back to the 16th century. It is thought to be derived from the Old German word "schue" or "schu," which referred to a shoemaker or cobbler. In those times, surnames were often based on a person's occupation or trade, making it likely that the name was initially used to identify individuals who worked as shoemakers or cobblers.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname "SHUE" can be found in the German town of Worms, where a shoemaker named Hans Shue was documented in the town's records in 1542. The name also appeared in various other German regions, such as Bavaria and Saxony, during the 16th and 17th centuries.

In the 18th century, the surname "SHUE" began to spread beyond Germany, as many German immigrants sought new opportunities in other parts of Europe and eventually in the Americas. One notable figure from this era was Johann Georg Shue, a German-born painter who lived from 1708 to 1788 and is known for his portraits and religious works.

As the name traveled, its spelling often varied, with variations such as "Schuh," "Schue," and "Shoe" appearing in different regions. In some cases, the name also evolved into other forms, such as "Shew" or "Shoo," reflecting local pronunciation and spelling conventions.

In the United States, the surname "SHUE" can be traced back to the late 18th century, when German immigrants began arriving in significant numbers. One of the earliest recorded instances of the name in the United States is that of Johann Michael Shue, who was born in Germany in 1755 and later settled in Pennsylvania.

Throughout the 19th century, several individuals with the surname "SHUE" made notable contributions in various fields. For example, Henry A. Shue was a prominent American lawyer and politician who served as a member of the United States House of Representatives from 1853 to 1855. Another notable figure was David M. Shue, a Union Army officer during the American Civil War, who was born in 1825 and served with distinction in several major battles.

As the 20th century dawned, the name "SHUE" continued to be carried by individuals from diverse backgrounds. One notable figure was Dr. Henry Shue, a philosophy professor and influential scholar in the field of human rights, who was born in 1942 and made significant contributions to the study of just war theory and international ethics.

Throughout its history, the surname "SHUE" has been associated with individuals from various walks of life, from skilled tradesmen and craftspeople to artists, soldiers, politicians, and academics. While its origins can be traced back to the shoemaking trade in Germany, the name has taken on a rich tapestry of meanings and associations as it has spread across different regions and cultures over the centuries.

Demographics

Ancestry and ethnicity for Shue

Among Census respondents with the surname Shue, the largest self-reported group is White at 87.3%. The next largest groups are Asian/Pacific Islander (9.5%) and Two or More Races (1.3%).

The bar chart below shows how Shue bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2010 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.

Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the Shue surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.

  • White87.3%
  • Asian and Pacific Islander9.5%
  • Two or more races1.3%
  • Hispanic or Latino0.8%
  • American Indian and Alaska Native0.6%
  • Black or African American0.4%

Year on year

2000 vs 2010 Census

How has the Shue surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.

Census year comparison

20002010
Bearer countPer 100,000 residents20002010200020103,0913,1551.11.1
Metric 2000 2010 Change
Rank #9,648 #10,215 -5.9%
Count 3,091 3,155 2.1%
Per 100K 1.15 1.07 -7.0%

Between the 2000 and 2010 Census, the number of Shue bearers went from 3,091 to 3,155 (+2.1% change). The surname moved down 567 positions in the national ranking, going from #9,648 to #10,215.

Notable bearers

Famous people with the surname Shue

FAQ

Shue surname: questions and answers

How common is the last name Shue?

The surname Shue holds position #10,215 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 3,667 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 1.07 per 100,000 Americans.

What is the ethnic background of the Shue surname?

Among Census respondents with the surname Shue, the largest self-reported group is White at 87.3%. The next largest groups are Asian/Pacific Islander (9.5%) and Two or More Races (1.3%). These figures come from the 2010 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.

Where does this surname data come from?

All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These tables list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2010 Census, along with a frequency rate and self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.

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