Last Names

Surnames / D

Do

What is the origin of the last name Do?

Vietnamese originRank #1,159 in the US

Meaning and origin

The last name "Do" originates from several cultural and linguistic backgrounds. In Vietnam, it is derived from the Chinese surname "Du," which means "city" or "metropolis" in Mandarin. In Korean, "Do" is a common surname that signifies the province or region someone is from, such as "Kyungnam Do" for South Gyeongsang Province. Alternatively, it may have roots in the Italian "do," meaning "from" or "of," often used in personal or location-based surnames. Given its diverse origins, the last name "Do" highlights the multicultural nature of surname formation and reflects the fluidity of genealogy.

The longer story

Derived from various sources, this surname has acquired different meanings throughout its existence. Let us delve into the fascinating details about this name.

Originating from various regions around the world, the name has significant representation in different countries and communities. From Asia to Europe to the Americas, the name Do has found its way into diverse populations.

One noteworthy aspect of the last name Do is its various linguistic origins. In the Chinese language, the surname Do (written as 杜) is derived from the ancient state of Du, the present-day Henan province. It is believed to have originated from the Zheng dynasty. In Portugal and other Portuguese-speaking countries, Do is a common surname derived from the word "Dó," originally referring to a person with kind-heartedness.

Surname origins are rarely settled: one spelling can have several sources, and families often took a name for reasons nobody wrote down. Check it against the sources below before you rely on it.

Similar spellings

#1,159

Do was the 1,159th most common surname in the 2010 US Census, with 30,301 people, about 10 in every 100,000.

Who carries it

  • White (non-Hispanic)2.3%
  • Hispanic or Latino0.9%
  • Black (non-Hispanic)0.4%
  • Asian or Pacific Islander94.8%
  • Two or more races1.6%
  • American Indian or Alaska Native<0.1%

Where it is found

Countries linked to Do.

No country links are recorded for this name.

Surnames like Do

Names it is linked with, then names with the same origin and a similar standing.

Check the sources

For a name you are serious about, compare the dictionaries: Reaney and Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames; Hanks, Dictionary of American Family Names.