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Asur

Asur - this word, including its several variants - Asurya, Asuryaa, and Aasur, is used in Rig Ved 88 times Derived from Asu, this word in Rig Ved is always used as an adjective meaning mighty. Although this adjective has always been used mostly for God, it has also been used for non-God entities. Towards the end of the Rig Vedik period, the use of this word underwent a drastic change; it became a noun and henceforth it was used for demons and hostile beings.

Iraanian emigrants still use it for God calling Him "Ahur Mazdaa" (corrupt of Sanskrit words Asur Madhiraa meaning the mighty and wise one). At one time this word was exclusively assigned to demons. The Sapt-Sindhu Aaarya coined the word "Sur" to denote gods, while continuing the use of the word "Dev" also to denote gods. In retaliation Iraanian Aarya started using the word "Dev" for devil.
(Aangiras, p 58)

Asu=life; and ra=taker; thus Asur means life taker, or who takes life; while the word Sur means who takes Amrit or Divine.
(Valmiki Ramayana, 1/1/45)

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