The surname Sou or Souza is of Portuguese origin. It is a patronymic name derived from the given name Soe (a shortened form of José), which means "God shall increase" in Hebrew. The surname Souza became popular among people with Jewish ancestry who had converted to Christianity, particularly in Portugal and Spain during the Middle Ages. The Portuguese navigator João de Souza was one of the earliest explorers to establish a colony in Brazil in the 16th century. Over time, the spelling of the name has evolved in various languages and regions, including Souza, Suzuki (in Japan), and Sousa (in English-speaking countries).
The surname Sou is primarily associated with individuals of Chinese ancestry, particularly those from the Hunan province in China. The name can be traced back to the Han Dynasty (206 BCE - 220 CE) and is derived from various Chinese character combinations. One such combination is " Sou," which means "south." This surname was often given to people who lived in or originated from the southern regions of China, as part of a system where families were identified by their geographical locations. Over time, many Chinese immigrants carrying the Sou name spread across Asia and later migrated to other parts of the world, contributing to its global distribution today.
The surname Sou is predominantly found in African countries with significant Portuguese influence, particularly Angola and Mozambique, due to the historical presence of Portuguese colonizers. It also has a noticeable concentration in Goa, India, which was under Portuguese rule for over 450 years. In addition, there are communities bearing the name Sou in Southeast Asia, particularly Vietnam, as a result of Portuguese missionaries and traders during the early modern period. Furthermore, there is a minor presence of individuals with the last name Sou in various parts of Europe, predominantly Portugal, reflecting its origins.
The surname Sou, or Soue, has several variations and spellings across different regions and languages. In English, it is commonly spelled as Sou, Soue, Sow, or Sue. In French, it can be written as Sou, Soué, Soues, or Sué. In some cases, it might also appear as Soua, Souas, or Souas-Varende, which are variations found in France. The name may have origins in France, and it is also a common surname among certain ethnic groups in Africa and Asia. It is important to note that the spelling can vary based on individual preference, regional dialects, or historical influences.
Notable individuals with the surname Sou include:
1. Toshiro Mifune (1920-1997), a Japanese actor known for his collaborations with Akira Kurosawa in films such as "Seven Samurai" and "Yojimbo".
2. Chang-rae Lee (born 1965), an American novelist whose works include "Native Speaker", "A Gesture Life", and "The Surrendered".
3. John Sou (1940-2016), a Hong Kong businessman who co-founded the Fung's Horticulture Group, one of the largest flower retailers in Asia.
4. Paul Soo (born 1987), an American professional basketball player who played for the New York Knicks and the Philadelphia 76ers.
5. Kris Wu (born 1990 as Wu Yifan), a Chinese-Canadian singer, actor, and model who gained popularity in China as a member of EXO before pursuing a solo career.
6. Hilda Hew Looi Sou (born 1954), a Malaysian politician who served as the Minister of Energy, Green Technology, and Water from 2008 to 2013.
7. Soo Wincci (born 1993), a Singaporean actress and singer who gained popularity through her roles in the television series "The Noose" and "Tanglin".
The surname Sou originates from France and is derived from various regional names, including Sou in the department of Pyrénées-Atlantiques, and Soübirou in the department of Landes. It's also found in the Basque region as a variant of the name Azpeitia or Aspiazu. The name may have originated from the Occitan word "sauvage," meaning wild or free, due to its association with early settlers living in forested or sparsely populated areas. In England, the surname Sou is rare but can be traced back to French Huguenot immigrants in the 17th century. In the United States, the name became more common among African Americans after being brought by French colonizers to Haiti and Louisiana. Notable figures with this surname include Pierre Sou (a French painter) and Sou Choo-Ngoh (a Malaysian actor).
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