Lu
A Chinese surname that is also found in a few other cultures, usually traced to very short ancient family names or place-based origins.
The #978 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 8,666 Americans shares it.
Etymology
Lu is most commonly encountered as a Chinese surname, where it can represent several different Chinese characters with distinct histories and meanings. Because pinyin flattens many unrelated surnames into the same spelling, the Romanized form "Lu" does not point to one single origin or literal meaning. In some cases it reflects an ancient state, a place name, or an inherited clan name; in others it is simply a modern spelling used for several different Chinese surnames.
History
The surname is especially common among Chinese diaspora communities, which helps explain its presence in the United States. In English-language records, Lu may also appear as a transcription of surnames from other East Asian languages, including Vietnamese and Korean, though Chinese usage is by far the best-known source. Because the spelling is highly ambiguous, family histories usually need the original characters or pre-immigration records to determine the exact line of origin.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
The same Romanized spelling can hide several completely different Chinese surnames, so two families named Lu may have no historical connection at all.