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

Zu, 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 Zu surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zu in America

Zu is the 70833rd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zu surname appeared 276 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 Zu.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zu 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 Zu

The surname Zu has its origins in China, and its history can be traced back to ancient times. The name is derived from the Old Chinese character 祖 (Zǔ), which means ancestor or forefather. It has been used as a surname since at least the Zhou Dynasty, which lasted from around 1046 to 256 BCE, indicating its deep historical roots.

In ancient China, surnames were often derived from the names of noble clans or important ancestral figures. The Zu family name is believed to have originated in the regions around present-day Henan and Shandong provinces. These areas were significant cultural and political centers throughout Chinese history.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Zu appears in historical texts from the Han Dynasty (206 BCE – 220 CE). A prominent figure during this period was Zu Chongzhi, an acclaimed mathematician and astronomer who lived from 429 to 500 CE. He is best known for his work in calculating the value of pi and contributing to the development of the Chinese calendar.

The surname Zu also appears in classic Chinese literature and historical records, such as the Records of the Grand Historian by Sima Qian, written around 94 BCE. This work documents various prominent families and their genealogies, providing valuable historical context for the name Zu.

Another notable figure with the surname Zu is Zu Ti, a respected general during the Jin Dynasty (265–420 CE). Born in 266 CE, Zu Ti was celebrated for his military strategies and contributions to the defense of the state. His life and accomplishments have been documented in numerous historical texts, further solidifying the significance of the surname.

During the Tang Dynasty (618-907 CE), Zu Yuan, an accomplished poet and scholar, contributed to the rich cultural heritage of China. His works and influence were well-regarded, adding to the prominence of the Zu name in Chinese intellectual and literary circles.

In more recent history, Zu Gengzhi, another notable mathematician and descendant of Zu Chongzhi, continued his family's legacy in the sciences. Living during the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279 CE), Zu Gengzhi made advancements in algebra and was known for his scholarly achievements.

The surname Zu has also spread beyond China due to migration and the Chinese diaspora. Some variations and older spellings of place names associated with the Zu family can be found in historical records, reflecting the widespread influence and longstanding heritage of this lineage.

Overall, the surname Zu carries significant historical and cultural weight, evidenced by its ancient origins and the notable individuals who have borne the name throughout history. The legacy of the Zu family name is rich with contributions to Chinese civilization, spanning fields such as science, literature, and military leadership.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zu

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

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

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

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