Explore the Family Name Shehu
The meaning of Shehu
Albanian: status name from sheh (definite form shehu), a word denoting the spiritual leader of the dervishes of the Bektashi Sufi order, itself of the same Arabic origin as sheik (see Sheikh). Leadership of the Sufi order is hereditary, with sons inheriting the spiritual powers of the sheh, their father. This is one of the most common surnames in Albania.
Dictionary of American Family Names, 2nd edition, © Oxford University Press, 2022.
How common is the last name Shehu in the United States?
Based on the Decennial U.S. Census data, the popularity of the surname Shehu has significantly increased from 2000 to 2010. In 2000, Shehu was ranked as the 72,022nd most common surname, but by 2010, it had moved up to the 39,212th position, marking a substantial increase in rank by 45.56%. Additionally, the count of individuals carrying the surname more than doubled over this ten-year period, rising from 252 to 561 – a remarkable 122.62% growth. This trend is reflected in the proportion per 100,000 people, which also more than doubled from 0.09 to 0.19.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #72,022 | #39,212 | 45.56% |
| Count | 252 | 561 | 122.62% |
| Proportion per 100k | 0.09 | 0.19 | 111.11% |
Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Shehu
When examining the ethnic identity associated with the surname Shehu, the Decennial U.S. Census data indicates changes between 2000 and 2010. The majority identify as White, increasing from 82.54% in 2000 to 94.47% in 2010, a rise of 14.45%. However, the percentage identifying as two or more races dropped sharply from 9.13% to 1.07%, a decrease of 88.28%. There was also a reduction in those identifying as Black, from 4.76% to 3.92%, a negative change of 17.65%. The percentages for Asian/Pacific Islander and American Indian and Alaskan Native remained at 0%, while the Hispanic identification disappeared completely by 2010.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| White | 82.54% | 94.47% | 14.45% |
| Black | 4.76% | 3.92% | -17.65% |
| Two or More Races | 9.13% | 1.07% | -88.28% |
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Hispanic | 3.57% | 0% | 0% |
| American Indian and Alaskan Native | 0% | 0% | 0% |