Rüstow or Rustow is a German surname. Notable people with the surname include:
Alexander Rüstow (1885–1963), German sociologist and economist Alexander Rüstow (soldier) (1824–1866), Prussian soldier and military writer Cäsar Rüstow (1826–1866), Prussian soldier and military writer Dankwart Rustow (1924–1996), American political scientist Marina Rustow, American historian Wilhelm Rüstow (1821–1878), Prussian-born Swiss soldier and military writer