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

Yu, 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 Yu surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Yu in America

Yu is the 658th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Yu surname appeared 52,035 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 18 people would have the surname Yu.

We can also compare 2010 data for Yu 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 Yu

The surname Yu has its origins in China, dating back to ancient times. It is believed to have derived from the Chinese word "yu," which means "jade" or "precious stone." The name was initially used as a descriptive term referring to the rarity and value of the individual or family bearing it.

The earliest recorded instances of the surname Yu can be traced back to the Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220 AD), where it appeared in historical documents and records. During this period, the Yu family was prominent in the region now known as Shandong Province, where they held influential positions in the imperial court and bureaucracy.

In the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD), the Yu surname gained further prominence, with several notable figures bearing the name. One such individual was Yu Xin, a renowned poet and calligrapher born in 513 AD. His works were highly celebrated and contributed significantly to the development of Chinese literature and calligraphy.

Another notable figure from this period was Yu Chao-en (605-668 AD), a prominent Buddhist monk and scholar. He was instrumental in the translation and dissemination of Buddhist texts, playing a crucial role in the spread of Buddhism throughout China.

During the Song Dynasty (960-1279 AD), the Yu surname continued to hold significance. Yu Qian, born in 1109, was a revered Confucian scholar and philosopher who made significant contributions to the interpretation and understanding of Confucian teachings.

In later dynasties, such as the Ming (1368-1644 AD) and Qing (1644-1912 AD), the Yu surname maintained its prominence, with individuals from the family holding various positions of power and influence in the imperial court and government.

One of the most famous Yu figures in recent history was Yu Youren (1879-1964), a prominent statesman and diplomat who played a pivotal role in the establishment of the Republic of China. He served as the Premier of the Republic of China and was instrumental in the country's diplomatic efforts during a turbulent period.

Throughout its long history, the surname Yu has been associated with various place names and older spellings. For instance, the city of Yuzhou in Henan Province was once known as Yuxian, derived from the Yu surname. Similarly, the town of Yuxian in Shandong Province also bears the name's influence.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Yu

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

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

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

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