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

Sou, 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 Sou surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Sou in America

Sou is the 25226th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Sou surname appeared 982 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 Sou.

We can also compare 2010 data for Sou 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 Sou

The surname "Sou" is believed to have originated in France, specifically in the region of Normandy, during the medieval period. It is thought to be derived from the Old French word "sou," meaning "sous" or "penny," which was a small coin used during that time. This name may have been given to someone who worked as a moneylender or a tax collector.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name "Sou" can be found in the Domesday Book, a detailed survey of landowners commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. The name appears in various spellings, such as "Sou," "Sowe," and "Soue," indicating its Norman origins.

In the 13th century, a prominent figure named Étienne Sou was recorded as a wealthy merchant and landowner in the city of Rouen, Normandy. He was known for his successful trading ventures and his philanthropic contributions to the local community.

Another notable individual with the surname "Sou" was Jean Sou, a French soldier who fought in the Hundred Years' War (1337-1453) under the command of Joan of Arc. He was born in 1412 and died in battle in 1450, defending the city of Orléans against the English forces.

In the 16th century, a family of artists and sculptors from the Burgundy region of France carried the surname "Sou." The most famous among them was Jacques Sou (1519-1592), who was renowned for his intricate woodcarvings and religious statues commissioned by various churches and nobility.

During the 17th century, a French explorer named Pierre Sou (1628-1689) was part of an expedition to explore the Mississippi River and the Great Lakes region of North America. He documented his travels and encounters with Native American tribes, providing valuable insights into the cultural and geographical landscape of the time.

In the 18th century, a renowned mathematician and astronomer from France named Pierre-Simon Sou (1749-1827) made significant contributions to the fields of celestial mechanics and the calculation of planetary orbits. He was elected as a member of the prestigious French Academy of Sciences.

These are just a few examples of notable individuals who carried the surname "Sou" throughout history, showcasing its French origins and illustrious presence in various fields and professions over the centuries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Sou

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

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

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

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