Hau
A rare surname that is probably short and local in origin, though its exact source is uncertain.
The #9,093 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 85,954 Americans shares it.
Etymology
The historical dictionaries do not give a firm explanation for this surname. One early source suggests it may be local or nickname-based, but the evidence is too thin to be sure. Because the recorded form is so short, it may also reflect abbreviation or variation from a longer name in some cases.
History
The name appears only sparsely in British and American records, which fits its rarity today. The main historical note in the sources is that Bardsley treats it as probably a local or nickname surname, but without settling the original place-name or word behind it.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
Bardsley grouped HAU with other very short surnames that may have arisen as nicknames or compressed local forms.
From the historical record
“HAU:. and Anne Ottoway : Marriage Lie. (Lon- don), ii. 335. London, 18, 4 : MDB. (co. Cambridge), 2, o; Boston (U.S.), 1, o; Philadelphia, 5, a Half^eny, Hal4>eimy, Hapenny. — ? Local. This surname seems to belong to the nickname class; V. Fivepenny, Ninepence,”
— A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames (alternate scan)