family names - 26 readings for "Niu"

This JapanTimes article describes the logic, variations, and patterns among surnames in Japan these days.

For students at any level this is worth knowing. The extreme example is the 2-character family name with kanji for 'ship' and 'alive' with 26 ways to read it, from Nioi to Mibu, according to the article.

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2018/08/13/bilingual/japanese-surnames-among-usual-suspects-youre-bound-find-curveballs/