Chu
A surname found in several cultures, most commonly associated with Chinese surnames transcribed as Chu, but also appearing in some European place-name and local-dialect contexts.
The #1,238 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 10,830 Americans shares it.
Etymology
This surname can reflect more than one origin. In Chinese usage, Chu is a romanization for several different surnames, depending on the language and transcription system. In some older European sources, forms like Chu also appear in place-name or dialect contexts, but the excerpts provided do not establish a single definite derivation for the surname as used in English.
History
In modern English-speaking countries, Chu is especially familiar as a family name of Chinese origin, often carried by immigrants and their descendants. The historical excerpts here do not give a reliable stand-alone dictionary entry for the surname itself, only incidental mentions and unrelated language examples, so a precise medieval British or Irish origin cannot be confirmed from them.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
Because Chu can represent different Chinese surnames under different romanization systems, two people with the same spelling may not share the same ancestral line.
From the historical record
“name. v. Hollins. John del HolyMhede, 140S : East Chu. Hogh Hollinihead, of Bodey, ytaman, xsii: ibid. p. 616. irto. Harried - PeetM Carter and Hollindied: Reg. Freubaiy, Co.”
— A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, with special American instances