Cantu
A surname of Spanish and Italian shape, often tied to place names or regional family roots rather than a single clear meaning.
The #704 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 6,285 Americans shares it.
Etymology
Cantu is most often treated as a surname of Romance-language origin, especially Spanish or Italian in form. It may be linked to a place name or a family name built from a local toponym, rather than from a common noun with a single transparent meaning. In some cases it can reflect southern Italian or Spanish naming patterns that were later carried into the Americas.
History
The surname is well established in the United States, especially among families of Hispanic or Italian background. In American records it is often encountered as a hereditary family name brought by immigration or by families that later adopted Spanish spelling conventions. Because the same spelling can arise in more than one language area, its exact origin usually depends on the individual family line.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
In U.S. records, Cantu is often written without the accent mark, even when the family form is Cantú.