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

Tsu, 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 Tsu surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Tsu in America

Tsu is the 50771st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Tsu surname appeared 411 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 Tsu.

We can also compare 2010 data for Tsu 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 Tsu

The surname "Tsu" is believed to have originated in China, with its earliest known references dating back to the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD). It is thought to have derived from the Chinese word "tsu," which means "ancestor" or "forefather." This suggests that the name may have been initially used to denote one's lineage or familial heritage.

During the Tang Dynasty, the name "Tsu" appeared in several historical records, including the "Book of Tang," a renowned chronicle of the era. One notable individual bearing this surname was Tsu Tsung-mi, a renowned Buddhist monk and scholar who lived from 810 to 888 AD. He was highly influential in the development of the Huayan school of Chinese Buddhism.

As the centuries passed, the name "Tsu" continued to appear in various Chinese records and manuscripts. In the 14th century, during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), a prominent figure named Tsu Chi-chen (1292-1363) made significant contributions to the field of medicine and pharmaceutics. His works on herbal remedies and traditional Chinese medicine were highly regarded at the time.

Moving forward to the Qing Dynasty (1644-1912), the name "Tsu" was associated with several notable scholars and officials. One such individual was Tsu Hsi (1835-1908), who served as the Empress Dowager of China and played a crucial role in the country's political affairs during the late 19th century.

Beyond China, the surname "Tsu" also found its way to other parts of Asia, particularly Japan and Korea. In Japan, the name is often rendered as "Tsu" or "Tsū," while in Korea, it is known as "Chu" or "Joo." Several Japanese and Korean individuals with variations of this surname have made significant contributions to various fields throughout history.

One prominent figure was Tsu Yoshihiro (1537-1617), a renowned Japanese tea master and cultural influencer during the Azuchi-Momoyama period. His teachings and philosophies on the art of tea ceremony left a lasting impact on Japanese culture.

In Korea, the name "Chu" has been associated with several influential figures, including Chu Shik-je (1876-1914), a pioneering educator and independence activist who played a crucial role in the Korean independence movement against Japanese colonial rule.

While the surname "Tsu" has its origins in China, it has transcended borders and cultures, leaving its mark on various societies throughout history. From scholars and monks to officials and activists, individuals bearing this name have made significant contributions across numerous fields, solidifying its place in the annals of history.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Tsu

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

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

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

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