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

Soo, 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 Soo surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Soo in America

Soo is the 22906th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Soo surname appeared 1,117 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 Soo.

We can also compare 2010 data for Soo 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 Soo

The surname Soo has its origins in East Asia, specifically in China and South Korea. It is believed to have derived from the Chinese surname Su or Syu, which can be traced back to the Han Dynasty (206 BC-220 AD). The name is thought to have originated from the ancient Chinese word "su," meaning a kind of grain or cereal, indicating that the early bearers of this name may have been farmers or traders of grains.

In ancient Chinese records, the name Su or Syu can be found in various historical manuscripts and documents, such as the Book of Han, a biographical history of the Western Han Dynasty. One notable figure was Su Wu, a Chinese diplomat and ambassador who lived during the 2nd century BC and was captured and detained in the Xiongnu Empire for 19 years.

The earliest recorded instances of the Soo surname in South Korea can be traced back to the Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392 AD). During this period, many Chinese families migrated to the Korean peninsula, bringing their surnames with them. The name was likely adapted to the Korean pronunciation, resulting in the spelling "Soo."

One of the earliest and most prominent figures with the Soo surname in Korean history was Soo Sung-gye (1335-1408), the founder of the Joseon Dynasty. He was a renowned military general who overthrew the Goryeo Dynasty and established the Joseon Kingdom, which ruled over the Korean peninsula for over five centuries.

Another notable individual with the Soo surname was Soo Kyung-sik (1545-1611), a Korean scholar and philosopher who played a significant role in the development of Neo-Confucianism in Korea during the Joseon Dynasty. His works and teachings had a profound influence on Korean intellectual and cultural life.

In China, the surname Su or Syu continued to be prevalent throughout various dynasties. One renowned figure was Su Shi (1037-1101), a renowned writer, poet, artist, calligrapher, and statesman of the Song Dynasty. He is considered one of the greatest literary figures in Chinese history and is celebrated for his contributions to poetry and calligraphy.

Another notable Chinese figure with the surname Su was Su Dongpo (1037-1101), also known as Su Shi, who was a famous poet, calligrapher, and statesman during the Song Dynasty. He was a contemporary and close friend of Su Shi, and their literary works and friendship have been celebrated throughout Chinese history.

The Soo surname has a rich historical legacy in both China and Korea, spanning several centuries and producing numerous notable individuals who have left an indelible mark on the cultural, intellectual, and political landscapes of their respective regions.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Soo

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

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

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

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