Tutu
A nickname or surname derived from the word for a ballet skirt.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 206 Americans carry the last name Tutu. That puts it at #104,602 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.06 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 1,663,856 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Tutu 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
206
1 in 1,663,856
Census rank
#104,602
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.1
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
171
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 171 bearers of the surname Tutu in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.06 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 104602nd position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Tutu, the largest self-reported group is Black at 87.1%. The next largest groups are Asian/Pacific Islander (5.8%) and White (5.3%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Tutu
The surname TUTU has its origins in the French language, with the earliest recorded instances dating back to the 16th century. It is believed to have derived from the French word "tuteur," which means "tutor" or "guardian." This suggests that the name may have initially been an occupational name given to those who worked as tutors or guardians.
In the early 1600s, the name TUTU appeared in various records across France, particularly in the regions of Normandy and Brittany. One notable reference can be found in the records of the city of Rouen, where a family by the name of TUTU resided in the late 16th century.
The earliest known individual with the surname TUTU was Jean TUTU, a French poet and playwright born in 1545 in the town of Caen, Normandy. His works, which included satirical plays and poetry, were widely acclaimed during his lifetime.
Another prominent figure with the surname TUTU was François TUTU, a French soldier who fought in the Thirty Years' War (1618-1648). He gained recognition for his bravery and leadership on the battlefield, ultimately rising to the rank of colonel in the French army.
In the 18th century, the TUTU name gained some prominence in the field of education. Marie-Jeanne TUTU, born in 1720 in Paris, was a renowned teacher and author of several textbooks on language and literature. Her works were widely used in schools across France during that era.
The TUTU name also made its way to other parts of Europe, with records showing families bearing the surname in countries like Belgium and Switzerland. One notable individual was Henri TUTU, a Swiss banker and philanthropist born in Geneva in 1812. He was known for his philanthropic efforts and support of various charitable organizations.
In the 19th century, a family by the name of TUTU settled in the United Kingdom, where they established themselves as successful merchants. William TUTU (1838-1912), a prominent member of this family, was a successful businessman and philanthropist in London.
While the TUTU surname is not among the most common in the world, it has a rich history spanning several centuries and various regions, with notable individuals who have left their mark in fields such as literature, education, military, and business.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Tutu
Among Census respondents with the surname Tutu, the largest self-reported group is Black at 87.1%. The next largest groups are Asian/Pacific Islander (5.8%) and White (5.3%).
The bar chart below shows how Tutu 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 Tutu surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- Black or African American87.1%
- Asian and Pacific Islander5.8%
- White5.3%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Tutu surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
| Metric | 2010 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #104,602 | #104,602 | 0.0% |
| Count | 171 | 171 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.06 | 0.06 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Tutu bearers went from 171 to 171 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #104,602 to #104,602.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Tutu
FAQ
Tutu surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Tutu?
The surname Tutu holds position #104,602 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 206 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.06 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Tutu surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Tutu, the largest self-reported group is Black at 87.1%. The next largest groups are Asian/Pacific Islander (5.8%) and White (5.3%). 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.