Origin of the Lau Surname
The Lau surname is of French/Spanish origin (French). In the 2010 U.S. Census it ranked #1,187 with 29,792 Americans (10.1 per 100K people).
What the name meant to the first families who bore it — and how Lau traveled across regions and centuries — is written out in the full Heritage Report.
Quick Facts
| Surname | Lau |
|---|---|
| Meaning | Full etymology in the Heritage Report |
| Origin | French/Spanish |
| Language | French |
| US Rank (2010) | #1,187 |
| US Count (2010) | 29,792 |
| Per 100K People | 10.1 |
| First Letter | L |
Ethnic Distribution of Lau
Among 29,792 Americans named Lau, the largest self-reported group is Asian/Pacific Islander (76.07%).
The full multi-group chart (every percentage, print-ready) is inside the Heritage Report — not repeated here.
Popularity of Lau Over Time
Between the 2000 and 2010 U.S. Census, the national rank of Lau moved up. Exact counts for both years — print-ready — are in the Heritage Report.
Where did the Lau family really come from?
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The Complete Story of the Lau Family
What you’ve read above is just the overview. Your full Lau Heritage Report goes far deeper — and it’s yours to keep, print & share with your family.
- ✓ The true origin & meaning of Lau
- ✓ The Lau coat of arms & heraldry
- ✓ Migration journey across the world
- ✓ Where Lau families live today
- ✓ Notable Lau bearers in history
- ✓ Name variations & spellings worldwide
- ✓ A step-by-step guide to start tracing your own family tree
🎁 A heritage keepsake to pass down — perfect as a gift.
Get one Lau fact most families never hear by email — a teaser, not the full etymology (that’s in the report).
Similar Surnames to Lau
These surnames share similar popularity, spelling, or cultural background with Lau.
Other French/Spanish Surnames
Explore more surnames with French/Spanish roots. There are 162,254 surnames in our database — here are some that share the same French/Spanish origin as Lau.
Frequently Asked Questions About Lau
Top Surnames Starting with L
The most common American surnames that begin with the letter L, ranked by population.
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