Su
A short surname found in several cultures, especially Chinese, where it often represents a common family name.
The #2,779 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 23,799 Americans shares it.
Etymology
Su is a surname found in several unrelated naming traditions, so its meaning depends on the family and language. In Chinese, it most commonly reflects the surname Su (often written 蘇 in traditional characters, simplified 苏), which has ancient roots and is traditionally linked with words for revival or growth. In other cases, Su can be a romanization of different surnames or name elements in other languages, so there is no single universal etymology.
History
In English-language records, Su is most often encountered among people of Chinese descent, but it can also appear in Southeast Asian and other immigrant communities. Because the same spelling can represent different original surnames, bearers may not share a common ancestry beyond the romanized form. The name is relatively uncommon in the United States compared with major single-origin surnames.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
A two-letter surname like Su can hide several different family-name traditions behind the same Latin spelling.