Meaning and origin
Derived from the Chinese character "陆" (lù), it has several possible meanings including "land" or "six," representing the sixth direction in ancient Chinese geography.
The longer story
In researching the last name Lu, there are several key facts that can be ascertained. Lu is predominantly a Chinese surname, with origins dating back many centuries. The surname Lu is also found in other East Asian countries, such as Korea and Vietnam, but its main concentration remains within China.
When examining the etymology of the name Lu, it is derived from the Chinese character “卢” (lú), which is pronounced as "Lu" in Mandarin Chinese. This character has various meanings, including "black" or "dark" and "deer". The interpretation of the surname Lu can differ depending on the specific character used, as there are multiple characters in Chinese that share the same pronunciation.
Members of the Lu clan held important positions in the government and military.
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.
#978
Lu was the 978th most common surname in the 2010 US Census, with 35,628 people, about 12 in every 100,000.
Who carries it
Surnames like Lu
Names it is linked with, then names with the same origin and a similar standing.
Check the sources
- Forebears: where Lu is found around the world
- The Internet Surname Database: a second opinion on the origin
- US Census Bureau: the 2010 surname figures used here
For a name you are serious about, compare the dictionaries: Reaney and Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames; Hanks, Dictionary of American Family Names.