Last Name Lau

Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Lau

Observing the ethnic identity tied to the surname Lau, as per the Decennial U.S. Census data, reveals that the highest proportion of bearers associate with Asian/Pacific Islander ethnicity. This group represents 76.07 percent of those with the surname Lau in 2010, a slight decrease from 76.56 percent in 2000. Although the majority of people with this surname identify as Asian/Pacific Islander, there are also notable populations that identify as White (16.19 percent in 2010) and Hispanic (3.47 percent in 2010). Other ethnicities such as Black, American Indian and Alaskan Native, and those identifying with two or more races collectively make up less than 5 percent of those with the surname Lau.

	2000	2010	Change
Asian/Pacific Islander	76.56%	76.07%	-0.64%
White	17.42%	16.19%	-7.06%
Two or More Races	2.97%	3.94%	32.66%
Hispanic	2.73%	3.47%	27.11%
Black	0.21%	0.24%	14.29%
American Indian and Alaskan Native	0.1%	0.08%	-20%

Lau ancestry composition

NomOrigine computes an ancestry breakdown for each customer. People may have ancestry from just one population or they may have ancestry from several populations. The most commonly-observed ancestry found in people with the surname Lau is Chinese, which comprises 60.7% of all ancestry found in people with the surname. The next two most common ancestries are British & Irish (7.7%) and French & German (7.2%). Additional ancestries include Chinese Dai, Vietnamese, Japanese, Eastern European, and Korean.

Ready to learn more about your ancestry? Get the most comprehensive ancestry breakdown on the market by taking our DNA test.

ANCESTRY BREAKDOWN	COMPOSITION
Chinese	60.7%
British & Irish	7.7%
French & German	7.2%
Other	24.4%

Your paternal lineage may be linked to the Han Chinese

Haplogroup O-Page23 has been found in several populations of the Han Chinese ethnic group. The ancestors of the Han, called the Huaxia, lived in the upriver basin of the Yellow River 5,000-6,000 years ago. As agricultural technology improved, the Huaxia spread east and south, and became the Han Chinese. Over the last 2,000 years, there have been three major migrations of the Han southward. The first of these migrations occurred during the Jin Dynasty from 317 to 420 CE, when nearly one million people moved south. A second migration occurred during the Tang Dynasty, after the An-Shi Rebellion, between 755 and 762 CE. The last migration occurred during the Southern Song Dynasty, from 1127 to 1297 CE, when nearly 5 million people migrated southward. The Pinghua, a branch of Han in which haplogroup O2a2b1a1 is particularly common, may be descendants of indigenous minority groups that adopted Han culture during one such major migration event.

Your maternal lineage may be linked to the ancient people of the Indian subcontinent

While Haplogroup M is widespread throughout South and East Asia, it is more diverse on the Indian sub-continent than anywhere else in the world. The high degree of diversity of M in India is likely tied to its ancient arrival here nearly 50,000 years ago. In addition to M2, which is found throughout the subcontinent, there are dozens of haplogroups branching off of M that exist in India. These branches are often connected to specific regions, tribes, or ethnic groups. For example, haplogroup M18 is found among the Oraon peoples of eastern India and Bangladesh, while haplogroup M41 is common among the Pardhan speakers of eastern India, and haplogroup M31a can be found on the Andaman Islands, just off the southeast coast of India.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Lau

The meaning and origin of the last name Lau

The surname Lau has its origins in several different cultures and languages. In Chinese, it is a variant of the surname Liu, which is derived from the Chinese character 刘 and is one of the most common surnames in China. The character 刘 is believed to have been derived from the state of Liu that existed during the Zhou Dynasty. In this context, Lau can be translated as "willow" or "willow tree." However, Lau is also a popular surname among ethnic Malays in Southeast Asia, particularly in Malaysia and Singapore. In this case, the surname Lau is of Malay or Indonesian origin, although its precise meaning or any historical significance behind it is challenging to determine. The migration of Malays and Chinese to various parts of Southeast Asia throughout historical periods contributed to the diversity and distribution of this surname in the region. Overall, the surname Lau has multiple origins and meanings, depending on the cultural and regional context.

Geographical distribution of the last name Lau

The last name Lau is a common surname found in multiple regions across the world. Its geographical distribution is particularly prominent in countries with large populations of Chinese descent, including China, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, and Singapore. In these regions, the surname Lau can be traced back to ancient times and has various historical and cultural significances. Additionally, Lau can also be found among Chinese diaspora communities in countries such as Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and the Philippines. Lau is not limited to Asia, as individuals with this last name can also be found in Western countries like the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand, due to immigration patterns and globalization. The geographical distribution of the last name Lau, both in Asia and beyond, reflects the global mobility and cultural diversity of Chinese communities, as well as the influence of Chinese migration throughout history.

Variants and spellings of the last name Lau

The last name "Lau" has several variations and spellings depending on cultural and regional influences. In Chinese, the most common variation is "劉" or "刘," pronounced as "Liu" in Mandarin. This variation is frequently used in China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and other Chinese-speaking communities worldwide. In Cantonese, a common romanization is "Lau," which is also used by Chinese communities in places such as Malaysia, Singapore, and parts of North America. In addition to the Chinese variations, the last name "Lau" has adopted different spellings in various countries due to migration and anglicization processes. For instance, in English-speaking countries such as the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Australia, the spelling "Lau" is commonly used. However, in some cases, the last name may be spelled as "Law" or "Low" due to the influence of regional accents or transcription errors. Overall, the variations and spellings of the last name "Lau" demonstrate its adaptability across different cultures and linguistic contexts.

Famous people with the last name Lau

One famous figure with the last name "Lau" is Andy Lau, a renowned Hong Kong actor, singer, and film producer. He has gained international recognition for his versatile acting skills and has starred in numerous successful films, ranging from action and comedy to drama and romance. With over three decades in the entertainment industry, Andy Lau has won numerous awards for his work and has become a household name in Asia. Another notable personality is Stephanie Ho, commonly known as Stephy, a Hong Kong singer and actress. She initially gained prominence as a member of the popular girl group "Cookies," and later embarked on a successful solo career. Stephy's sweet voice, charming persona, and captivating performances have solidified her position as one of the industry's leading female artists. Both Andy Lau and Stephanie Ho have left a lasting impact on the world of entertainment with their respective talents and contributions.

Genealogical research on the last name Lau

The last name Lau has origins in various cultures and can be found in different parts of the world. In Chinese, Lau (刘) is one of the most common surnames and is ranked as the 30th most popular in China. The Lau surname in China has a long history that can be traced back over 1,600 years to the Southern and Northern Dynasties (420-589 AD). The Lau surname is also present in other parts of Asia, such as Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan, due to its historical connections to China. In addition to the Chinese origin, Lau is also a surname found in Malaysia, where it is commonly associated with the ethnic Chinese community. In European cultures, Lau can be a variant of the surname "Law," which originated from the Old English word "hlaw," meaning "hill." This suggests that some Lao people might have migrated to Europe or had European ancestry, resulting in the variation of the surname. Overall, the Lau surname has rich and diverse genealogical roots with connections to China, other parts of Asia, and even potentially Europe.