Origin and popularity of the name SONG
Origin
Song : 1: Korean: written 송 in Chinese characters 宋 denoting the Song kingdom. There are actually two Chinese characters for this surname covering sixteen clans. The smaller clan is the only clan to use another one of the two Chinese characters and it has only one or two households. The remaining clans all descend from a common ancestor Song Chu-ŭn (宋 株殷) who seems to have migrated from Tang China to Korea sometime during the Shilla period. Sixty percent of the Songs live in southern Korea.2: Korean (Sŏng): written 성 in Chinese characters 成 meaning ‘success’. There are actually two Chinese characters for the surname Sŏng but one of them is registered for just a single household. Only the common Sŏng clan the Ch’angnyŏng clan is treated here. This was founded by Sŏng In-bo (成 仁輔) just prior to the establishment of the Koryŏ kingdom in 918. According to legend Sŏng In-bo died in Seoul. His son set out to transport his father's body back to Ch’angnyŏng but the weather being poor he decided to stop for the night and finish the journey in the morning. When he awoke he discovered that his father's body was missing. Upon investigation he found that a tiger had dragged the body to a secluded grave site in the mountains near Ch’angnyŏng. It was there that the son buried his father and established his home. Many of the members of the Sŏng clan today live in the Ch’angnyŏng area of Kyŏngsang province. Compare Sung 5.3: Chinese: Mandarin form and Cantonese variant of the surname 宋: (i) from Song (宋) the name of a state (located in Shangqiu in Henan province) granted to Wei Ziqi by King Wu of Zhou (c. 1087–1043 BC). After the state was annexed by the state of Qi (located mainly in present-day Shandong province) in 286 BC some descendants of the royal family from the state adopted 宋 the name of the state as their surname. (ii) said to be traced back to the personal name Song (宋) personal name of a prince in the state of Zheng during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC).4: Chinese: Mandarin form of the surname 松 meaning ‘pine tree’ in Chinese: It was said that Qin Shi Huang (259–210 BC) the first emperor of the Qin dynasty (221–206 BC) once took shelter from the rain under a giant pine tree on his way back to the palace after a ceremony. He later honored the tree and the local residents nearby adopted Song (松) as a surname.5: Chinese: Cantonese form of the surname 桑 see Sang 4.6: Chinese: Hakka form of the surname 常 see Chang 1.7: Southeast Asian (Hmong): variant of Xiong 2.8: Cambodian: written សុង of Chinese origin but unexplained etymology (probably corresponding to one of the surnames above). The surname សុង also corresponds to the archaic Khmer word meaning ‘(to be) black as night’.
Bian : Chinese:: 1: Mandarin form of the surname 卞 meaning ‘rules’ or ‘hasty’ in ancient Chinese: from Bian (卞) the name of a fief (located in Shandong province) in the state of Cao dating back to the Western Zhou dynasty (1046–771 BC).2: Mandarin form of the surname 邊 meaning ‘margin edge’ in Chinese: (i) from the second element of the personal name Zi Bian (子邊) style name of a prince of the state of Song during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC). (ii) from Bian (邊) the name of an ancient state (located in Henan province) during the Shang dynasty (1600–1046 BC).
Bo : 1: Norwegian (Bø): cognate of Bøe (see Boe).2: Chinese: Mandarin form of the surname 薄 meaning ‘thin’ in Chinese: (i) from Bo (薄) the name of an ancient state (located in the borderline between Henan and Shandong province). (ii) from the placename Bo (薄) the name of a fief (located in the borderline between Henan and Shandong province) granted to an official in the state of Song during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC). (iii) said to be borne by descendants of Bo Yi (薄疑) a famous person in the state of Wey during the Western Zhou dynasty (1046–771 BC). (iv) said to be borne by descendants of the Bo Gu (薄姑) family nobles during the Shang dynasty (1600 –1046 BC). (v) adopted as a surname by the Bo Xi (薄奚) family from the Xianbei ethnic group in northern China during the Northern Wei dynasty (386–534 AD). (vi) traced back to the Qiang minority ethnic groups in ancient northwestern China.3: Chinese: Mandarin form of the surname 伯 meaning ‘oldest brother’ often used as a personal name with this sense. It comes from the name of Bo Yi (伯益) a famous adviser to Emperor Yao (c. 24th century BC) and Emperor Shun (c. 23rd century BC).4: Chinese: Mandarin form of the surname 博 meaning ‘vast’ in Chinese: from the placename Bo (博) an ancient city (located in present-day northeastern Liaocheng in Shandong province).5: Burmese: from a title for a military officer and also for someone who distinguished himself in the struggle for independence of Burma used as part of the male name proper. — Note: Since Burmese do not have hereditary surnames this name was registered as such only after immigration of its bearers to the US.6: Vietnamese (Bồ): from the Chinese surname 蒲 see Pu 1.7: Cambodian: written បូរ or បូ corresponding to the Khmer word meaning ‘ribbon; colored headband’.
Cao : 1: Chinese: Mandarin form of the surname 曹 meaning ‘government department’ in ancient Chinese: (i) from the first element of the personal name of Cao An (曹安) the founder of the state of Zhu (located in Zouxian in Shandong province). After the state was annexed by the state of Chu during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC) Cao (曹) was adopted as a surname. (ii) from Cao (曹) the name of a state (located in Dingtao in Shandong province) granted to Zhenduo the 13th son of the virtuous King Wen of Zhou (1152–1056 BC). After the state was annexed by the state of Song Cao (曹) was adopted as a surname. (iii) from one of the 'Nine Sogdian Surnames’ also known as ‘nine surnames of Zhaowu’ because their ancestors came from Zhaowu an ancient city in present-day Gansu province in northwestern China. During the Sui and Tang dynasties (581–987 AD) there were nine Sogdian states in Central Asia one of which was called Cao (曹) in Chinese. Between 649 and 655 AD these states submitted to Emperor Gaozong of Tang (628–683 AD). At this time descendants of people from the state of Cao (曹) acquired the surname Cao (曹).2: Chinese: Mandarin form of the surname 操 meaning ‘conduct behavior’ in ancient Chinese: possibly from names of official posts.3: Vietnamese: from the Chinese surname 高 see Gao 1.4: Portuguese (Cão) and Galician: equivalent of Spanish Cano.
Chang : 1: Chinese: Mandarin form of the surname 常 which means ‘lasting forever’: (i) said to be borne by descendants of Chang Yi (常儀) and Chang Xian (常先) officials during the reign of the legendary Huang Di the ‘Yellow Emperor’ (c. 27th century BC). (ii) from Chang (常) the name of a fief (located in present-day Tengxian in Shandong province) that was granted to the grandson of Kang Shu the younger brother of King Wu of Zhou (c. 1087–1043 BC) and founder of the state of Wey (located around present-day Hebei and Xinxiang in Henan province). (iii) from Chang (常) a fief (located in present-day Changzhou in Jiangsu province) that was granted to descendants of the kings of the state of Wu (located mainly in present-day Jiangsu and Anhui provinces) during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC). (v) adopted in place of another Chinese surname 恒 (Heng in Mandarin pinyin meaning ‘lasting permanent’) which could be traced back to Duke Si of Heng an official in the state of Chu during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC). People with this surname changed it to Chang (常) during the reign of the emperor Zhao Heng (趙恒 known as Emperor Zhenzong of Song 968–1022) in the Northern Song dynasty because their surname 恒 happened to coincide with the personal name of the emperor which was taboo in ancient China.2: Chinese: Mandarin form of the surname 昌 which means ‘prosperity’: it is said to be from the name of Chang Yi (昌意) son of the legendary Huang Di the ‘Yellow Emperor’ (c. 27th century BC).3: Chinese: Mandarin form of the surname 暢 which means ‘fluent uninhibited’: the surname is borne by descendants of a noble family who lived in the state of Qi (located mainly in Shandong province) during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC).4: Chinese: Mandarin form of the surnames 張 章 and 仉 see Zhang 1-3.5: Chinese: variant Romanization of the surname 曾 see Zeng.6: Chinese: variant Romanization of the surname 臧 see Zang.7: Chinese: variant Romanization of the surname 程 see Cheng 1.8: Chinese: Hakka form of the surname 鄭 see Zheng 1.9: Chinese: variant Romanization of the surname 陳 possibly based on its Cantonese pronunciation see Chen 1.10: Chinese: variant Romanization of the surnames 江 蔣 and 姜 see Jiang 1-3.11: Chinese: variant Romanization of the surname 莊 see Zhuang.12: Chinese: variant Romanization of the surname 鐘 see Zhong 1.13: Korean: written 장 in Chinese characters 張 meaning ‘to extend’ 蔣 denoting a type of plant in ancient Chinese but now used only as a surname 章 meaning ‘chapter’ or ‘sentence’ and 莊 meaning ‘serious’. All of the 33 Korean Chang clans had their origins in China and all but three use the same Chinese character for their surname namely 張. This is one of the ten most common surnames in Korea. (i) The Chinese character 張 is borne by the descendants of Chang Chŏng-p’il (張 貞弼) the son of a Chinese military official who together with his father fled from political instability in China in 888 AD. He ultimately settled in An-dong County North Kyŏngsang Province. (ii) The Chinese character 蔣 is borne by descendants of Chang Sŏ (蔣 壻) a Chinese Song Dynasty general who immigrated to Korea in the 12th century AD. Chang Sŏ settled in the Asan area of Ch’ungch’ŏng South Province. (iii) The Chinese character 章 is borne by the descendants of Chang Chong-haeng (章 宗行) a late 12th-century immigrant from China. The family settled in and around Kŏch’ang County in South Kyŏngsang Province. (iv) The Chinese character 莊 is borne by the descendants of Chang Suk (莊 俶) who settled in the Kŭmch’ŏn district of modern Seoul in the early fifteenth century. Another Chang family clan seat was established in the Chŏnju area in the late nineteenth century by Chang Sŏk-hwang (莊 錫滉). One of the ancestors of this Chang family was the Taoist philosopher Chuang Tzu. 莊 is a comparatively rare surname. Compare Jang 5.14: Southeast Asian (Hmong): variant of Cha 5; in Chinese characters it is written 張 (see 4 above).
Chu : 1: Chinese: Mandarin form of the surname 楚 meaning ‘pain’ or ‘clear’ in ancient Chinese: (i) from Chu (楚) the name of a state (covering Hubei Hunan Anhui Jiangsu and Jiangxi provinces) originally granted to Xiong Yi and finally annexed by the state of Qin in 223 BC. (ii) from the personal name Chu (楚) personal name of Lin Chu (林楚) an official in the state of Lu during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC). (iii) borne by descendants of Chu Long (楚隆) an official in the state of Jin during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC).2: Chinese: Mandarin and Cantonese form of the surname 褚 meaning ‘padding in garment’: (i) from Chu (褚) the name of a fief (located in Luoyang in Henan province) granted to Duan prince of the state of Song who was revered for his virtue and known as Chu Shi (褚師). (ii) possibly from Chu (褚) the name of a pavilion or a canal (located in Luoyang in Henan province).3: Chinese: Mandarin and Cantonese form of the surname 儲 meaning ‘store’ in Chinese: from the first element of the personal name Chu Zi (儲子) style name of an official in the state of Qi during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC).4: Chinese: Mandarin form of the surname 初 meaning ‘initial’ in Chinese: (i) said to be borne by the descendants of Shu Xiong third son of the king Xiong Yan (died 828 BC) in the state of Chu during the Western Zhou dynasty (1046–771 BC). He failed in the competitions for the throne among the princes and later fled to the wild lands. He then adopted the surname Chu (初) a similar-sounding Chinese character to the name of his original state. (ii) said to be traced back to the royal families of the Shang dynasty (1600–1046 BC). (iii) said to be traced back to Xue Hongzuo a general during the Northern Wei dynasty (386–534 AD) who was endowed with the surname Chu (初) by Emperor Taiwu of Northern Wei (408–452 AD). (iv) said to be traced back to Qi Wei (祁暐) an official in the Northern Song dynasty (960 AD –1127 AD) who changed his original surname Qi (祁) to Chu (初) because the then emperor Emperor Zhenzong of Song (968–1022 AD) once called him by the wrong name Chu Wei (初暐).5: Chinese: Cantonese form and alternative Mandarin form of the surnames 朱 and 諸. Also alternative Mandarin form of the surnames 祝 竺 and 竹. See Zhu 1-5.6: Chinese: alternative Mandarin form of the surnames 曲 瞿 屈 鞠 麴 璩 and 渠 see Qu 1-6.7: Chinese: alternative Mandarin form of the surnames 鞠 居 巨 琚 and 劇 see Ju 1-5.8: Chinese: variant Romanization of the surname 祖 see Zu 1.9: Chinese: variant Romanization of the surname 周 see Zhou 1.10: Chinese: variant Romanization of the surname 曹 see Cao 1.11: Chinese: variant Romanization of the surnames 趙 and 招 see Zhao 1 and 2.12: Chinese: variant Romanization of the surnames 邱 and 丘 see Qiu 1 and 2.13: Korean: written 주 in Chinese characters 朱 meaning ‘red’ and 周 meaning ‘round’. There are only these two Chinese characters for the Chu surname in use in Korea. The character 朱 has only one clan associated with it (the Shinan Chu clan) and while some records indicate that the other has as many as 25 only four can be documented; all of these descended from a common ancestor Chu Hwang (周 璜) who was naturalized in 907 after fleeing from civil unrest in Tang China. This family claim to be descended from the ruling family of the Chinese Chu Dynasty. The Shinan Chu clan is descended from a man named Chu Cham (朱 潜) a direct descendant of the Chinese philosopher Chu-tze. Chu Cham migrated from China to Korea some time in the early 13th century. Chu is a fairly common surname and is found throughout the peninsula. Compare Chew 4 Choo 2 Joo 3 Jou 3 Ju 11 and Jue 4.14: Vietnamese: from the Chinese surname 朱 (see Zhu 1).15: Vietnamese (Chử): from the Chinese surname 褚 (see 2 above). Also possibly a variant of Châu (see Chau).
Dai : 1: Chinese: Mandarin form of the surname 戴 meaning ‘respect support’ in Chinese: (i) from Dai (戴) the posthumous title of Duke Dai of Song (ruler of the state of Song reigned 799–766 BC). (ii) from Dai (戴) the name of an ancient state (located in Henan province). After it was annexed by the state of Zheng in 713 BC the name of the state was adopted as a surname. (iii) adopted in place of another Chinese surname Yin (殷) because they shared a similar meaning ‘deep feeling’ in ancient Chinese.2: Chinese: Mandarin form of the surname 代 meaning ‘historical periods’ in Chinese: (i) from Dai (代) the name of an ancient state (located in Hebei province). After it was annexed by the state of Zhao during the Warring States period (475–221 BC) the name of the state was adopted as a surname. (ii) traced back to the Dai (代) family from the Xianbei ethnic group in northern China.3: Vietnamese (Đái): from the Chinese surname 戴 see 1 above.
Dan : 1: Romanian; Hungarian (mainly Dán): from a short form of the Biblical personal name Daniel (Hungarian Dániel).2: Romanian: from a short form of the Slavic personal names Bogdan and Prodan.3: English (Devon and Cornwall): variant of Dann.4: Jewish (Israeli): from the Biblical personal name Dan a derivative of Hebrew din ‘to judge’.5: Vietnamese (Đan): unexplained.6: Chinese: Mandarin form of the surname 但 meaning ‘but’ in Chinese: from another Chinese surname Dan (旦) see 7 below.7: Chinese: Mandarin form of the surname 旦 meaning ‘dawn’ in Chinese: (i) from the personal name Dan (旦) fourth son of King Wen of Zhou (1152–1056 BC). (ii) adopted in place of another Chinese surname Huan (桓). Some descendants changed their surname in order to avoid feud and some did it because their surname Huan happened to be personal name of Emperor Qinzong of Song (1100–1156 AD) which was taboo in ancient China.8: Chinese: Mandarin form of the surname 淡 meaning ‘tasteless’ in Chinese: (i) a miswritten form of another homophonous Chinese surname 但 (see 6 above). (ii) said to be adopted as the surname by a citizen Liu Dan (劉淡) in Tongzhou (located in Shaanxi province) during the Ming dynasty (1368–1644 AD) because Liu Dan hated an atrocious eunuch called Liu Jin and did not want to bear the same surname with Liu Jin. As a result he changed his surname to his personal name Dan (淡).9: Chinese: Mandarin form of the surname 丹 meaning ‘red' in ancient Chinese: (i) said to be traced back to Dan Zhu the eldest son of the legendary Emperor Yao (c. 24th century BC) who was granted with a fief along the Dan River (located in present-day Henan province). (ii) a surname traced back to other minority ethnic groups in ancient northern China such as the Hui Manchu and Tangut people.10: Japanese: variously written as 段 ‘terrace’ (if topographic) or ‘rank’; 団 or 團 both ‘group’; 檀 ‘sandalwood’; 壇 ‘dais’ or ‘altar’; or 旦 ‘dawn’ (Chinese in origin). All of these tend to be found in central and western Honshū and in Kyūshū.
Deng : Chinese: Mandarin form of the surname 鄧: (i) from Deng (鄧) the name of a state (located in Dengxian in Henan province) granted to Man Ji uncle of Wu Ding (a king of the Shang dynasty; 1600–1046 BC). (ii) from Deng Bowen (鄧伯溫) head of an ancient state (located in present-day Shandong province) dating back to the reign of the legendary Huang Di the ‘Yellow Emperor’ (c. 27th century BC). (iii) from Deng (鄧) a fief (located in Hubei province) granted to descendants of Zhong Kang the 4th king of the Xia dynasty (2070–1600 BC). (iv) from Deng Cheng (鄧城 City of Deng) a town in the state of Cai (located in present-day Henan province) during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC). (v) from Deng (鄧) a title of Li Tianyi the 8th son of Li Yu (the last king of the state of Southern Tang (937–975 AD) during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms (907–960) periods). The state of Southern Tang was annexed by Emperor Taizong of Song (939–997 AD) in 975 AD and the royal families of South Tang were hunted down. Li Tianyi's son fled and changed the surname (Li) to Deng (鄧) his father's title.
Ding : 1: Chinese: Mandarin or Cantonese form of the surname 丁 meaning ‘male adult’ or ‘population’ in Chinese: (i) from Qi Ding Gong (齊丁公 Duke Ding of Qi) posthumous title of Jiang Ji son of Jiang Ziya or Jiang Tai Gong (c. 11th century BC an official who lived during the Western Zhou dynasty). (ii) from the personal name of Ding Hou (丁侯) meaning ‘Marquis Ding’ title of an official during the late Shang dynasty (1600–1046 BC). (iii) from the personal name of Ding Kuang (丁匡) originally called Sun Kuang a grandson of Sun Quan (182–252 AD). Sun Quan was the king of the state of Wu (located mainly in present-day Zhejiang and Jiangsu provinces) during the Three Kingdoms period (220–280 AD). His change of surname was ordered by his grandfather whose displeasure he had incurred. (iv) from the personal name of Ding Qing (丁慶) a person in the Northern Song dynasty (960–1127 AD) who changed his original name Yu to Ding (丁). (v) the surname was also brought to China by immigrants from Central Asia. (vi) it can also be traced back to other minority ethnic groups such as the Shanyue group in southeastern China the Xianbei group in northern China and certain other groups in southwestern China.2: Chinese: variant Romanization of the surname 鄧 based on its Teochew Hokkien or Taiwanese pronunciation. See Deng.3: Chinese: variant Romanization of the surname 陳 possibly based on its Hokchew (Fuzhou) pronunciation a Min dialect spoken in the provincial capital of Fujian province see Chen 1.4: English (Cambridgeshire and Huntingdonshire): nickname possibly denoting a metal worker from Middle English ding ‘blow or beating’.
Du : 1: Chinese: Mandarin form of the surname 杜 meaning ‘birchleaf pear’ in Chinese: (i) said to be borne by descendants of Du Kang (杜康) an official noted as a winemaker during the reign of the legendary Huang Di the ‘Yellow Emperor’ (c. 27th century BC). (ii) from the placename Du (杜) the name of a city (located in Shaanxi province) granted to Du Bo (杜伯 the Earl of Du) head of the state of Du (杜) who was eventually killed by King Xuan of Zhou (reigned 827–782 BC). After that the state of Du (杜) was annexed and the name of the state was adopted as a surname. (iii) adopted as a surname by the Du Gu Hun (獨孤渾) family from the Xianbei ethnic group in northern China during the Northern Wei dynasty (386–534 AD).2: Chinese: Mandarin form of the surname 都 meaning ‘capital’ in Chinese: (i) from the personal name Zi Du (子都) style name of Gong-Sun Yu an official in the state of Zheng during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC). (ii) shortened form of the compound surname Gong Du (公都) which is sometimes traced back to Tian a prince in the state of Chu who was granted the fief Du (都) or alternatively to Gong Du Zi (公都子) an official in the state of Qi.3: Chinese: Mandarin form of the surname 堵 meaning ‘wall’ in ancient Chinese: habitational name from the placename Du (堵) the name of a fief (located in present-day Henan province) granted to Xie Bo an official in the state of Zheng during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC).4: Chinese: Mandarin form of the surname 度 meaning ‘measurement of length’ in ancient Chinese: (i) traced back to the inhabitants in the state of Chu during the Spring and Autumn Period (770–476 BC). (ii) borne by descendants of officials in charge of regularizing units of length measurement in markets in ancient China.(iii) said to be one of the seven surnames from the Bandun Man ancestors of today's Tujia ethnic group in China who in the third century BC lived in southwestern China.5: Chinese: Mandarin form of the surname 督 meaning ‘to supervise’ in Chinese: (i) from the second element of the personal name Hua Du (華督) style name of the grandson of the Duke Dai of Song (ruler of the state of Song died 766 BC). (ii) from the first element of the personal name Du Rong (督戎) an official in the state of Jin during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC). (iii) from the first element of the placename Du Kang (督亢) the name of a fertile land (located in present-day Henan province) in the state of Yan during Warring States Period (475– 221 BC). (iv) a surname from the minority ethnic groups in southwestern China during the Eastern Han dynasty (25 – 220 AD).6: Vietnamese (Dư): from the Chinese surname 余 see Yu 1.7: Vietnamese (Dũ): from the Chinese surname 俞 see Yu 3.8: Vietnamese: from the Chinese surname 游 see You 1.
E : Chinese: Mandarin form of the surname 鄂 a short form of present-day Hubei province: (i) from E (鄂) the name of an ancient state (located in Henan province) destroyed by the king Zhou last king of the Shang dynasty (1600–1046 BC). (ii) from the placename E (鄂) the name of a fief (located in Shanxi province) in the state of Jin during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC). (iii) from the placename E (鄂) the name of a fief (located in Hubei province) granted to the royal members of the state of Chu during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC). (iv) possibly a surname from minority ethnic groups in southwestern China. (v) said to be adopted as a new surname by Yue Ting who changed his original name Yue (嶽) to E (鄂) because he fled to Huangmei in present-day Hubei province (called E (鄂) at that time) to avoid persecution after his father Yue Fei (1103–1142 AD) a famous Chinese general in the Southern Song dynasty (1127 – 1279 AD) was put to death by the then emperor.
Emmerling : German (Bavaria) and Austria: from the dialect word Emmerling ‘yellowhammer’ a song bird with bright plumage hence a nickname for a pretentious person or a passionate singer.
Fu : Chinese:: 1: Mandarin and Cantonese form of the surname 傅 meaning ‘master’ or ‘teacher’ in Chinese: (i) said to be borne by descendants of Fu Yue (傅說)(died c. 1246 BC) a prime minister during the Shang dynasty (1600–1046 BC) who is said to have lived in a place called Fu Yan (傅岩) possibly located in Shanxi province. (ii) from the placename Fu (傅) the name of a fief (located in present-day Shandong province) which was granted to Da You during the Western Zhou dynasty (1046–771 BC).2: Mandarin and Cantonese form of the surname 付 meaning ‘commit’ or ‘pay’ in Chinese: (i) borne by descendants of Shi Fu (史付) a person who lived in the state of Zheng during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC). (ii) simplified form of the Chinese surname 傅; see 1 above.3: Mandarin and Cantonese form of the surname 符 meaning ‘tally’ in ancient Chinese: from the post name Fu Xi Ling (符璽令) hosted by Gong Ya a grandson of the Duke Qing of Lu (ruler of the state of Lu died 249 BC) who later migrated to the state of Qin. This was a post held by the man in charge of the tally given by a ruler to a general to deploy troops or to an envoy as his credentials.4: Mandarin and Cantonese form of the surname 扶 meaning ‘help support’ in Chinese: (i) said to be a shortened form of the compound Chinese surname Fu Deng (扶登) dating back to the reign of Xia Yu the first king of the Xia dynasty (2070–1600 BC). (ii) borne by descendants of Fu Jia (扶嘉) who was endowed with the surname Fu (扶) by the Emperor Gaozu of Han (256–195 BC) because of his support to the royal family of the Western Han dynasty (206 BC–25 AD). (iii) adopted as the surname by the Qi Fu (乞扶) family from the Xianbei ethnic group in northern China during the Northern Wei dynasty (386–534 AD).5: Mandarin form of the surname 伏 meaning ‘dog days’ or ‘subdue’ in ancient Chinese: (i) said to be borne by descendants of Fu Xi (伏羲) a legendary figure prior to the Xia dynasty (2070–1600 BC). (ii) said to be borne by descendants of Fu Bu Qi (伏不齊 also written 宓不齊) a student of Confucius (551–479 BC). (iii) adopted as a surname by the Si Fu Jin (俟伏斤) family from the Xianbei ethnic group in northern China during the Northern Wei dynasty (386–534 AD).6: Mandarin form of the surname 福 meaning ‘good fortune’ or ‘blessing’ in Chinese: (i) borne by descendants of Fu Zi Dan (福子丹) an official in the state of Qi during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC). (ii) a surname from the state of Bai Ji (located in the Korean peninsula). (iii) borne by descendants of Fu Shi (福時) an official who lived during the Ming dynasty (1368–1644 AD).7: Mandarin and Cantonese form of the surname 富 meaning ‘rich’ in Chinese: (i) borne by descendants of Fu Chen (富辰) (died around 636 BC) an official who lived during the reign of King Xiang of Zhou (died 619 BC). (ii) shortened form of the Chinese compound surname Fu-Fu (富父) which is traced back to Fu-Fu Zhong Sheng (富父終甥) an official who lived in the state of Lu during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC).8: Mandarin and Cantonese form of the surname 甫 a courtesy name for a man in ancient Chinese: (i) simplified form of Fu (郙) the name of an ancient state (located in Henan province). (ii) from Fu (甫) the name of a state also known as the state of Lü (located in Henan province) annexed by the state of Chu during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC). (iii) shortened form of the Chinese compound surname Huang-Fu (皇甫) traced back to the personal name of a son of Duke Dai of Song (ruler of the state of Song reigned 799–766 BC).9: Mandarin form of the surname 宓 (also pronounced as Mi in Mandarin Chinese) see Mi 2.10: Hakka form of the surname 胡. Also Cantonese form of the surname 扈. See Hu 1 and 2.
Gan : 1: Chinese: Mandarin form of the surname 甘 meaning ‘sweet pleasant’ in Chinese: (i) from the personal name of Gan Pan (甘盤) a high official during the reign of King Wu Ding (died 1192 BC) in the Shang dynasty. (ii) from Gan (甘) the name of an ancient state (located in present-day Shaanxi province) during the Xia dynasty (2070–1600 BC). (iii) from Gan (甘) the name of a fief (located in present-day Luoyang in Henan province) granted to Dai who was known as Gan Zhao Gong (甘昭公 Duke Zhao of Gan) son of King Xiang of Zhou (died 619 BC).2: Chinese: Mandarin form of the surname 干 meaning ‘shield’ in ancient Chinese: (i) from the personal name of Gan Chou (干犨) an official in the state of Song (located in present-day Shangqiu in Henan province) during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC). (ii) from the placename Gan (邗) the name of a fief (located in present-day Yangzhou in Jiangsu province) that was granted to the son of King Wu of Zhou (c. 1087–1043 BC). When the placename was adopted as a surname people simplified the Chinese character 邗 to 干 which has the same pronunciation. (iii) from the placename Gan Sui (干隧) (located in present-day Wuxian in Jiangsu province). (iv) from the He Gan (紇干) family of the Xianbei ethnic group in northern China who changed their original surname to 干 during the Northern Wei dynasty (386–534 AD). (v) from the compound surname Gan-Lei (干類) said to be originally the name of an ancient state (unknown location) prior to the Xia dynasty (2070–1600 BC).3: Chinese: alternative Cantonese form of the surname 簡 see Jian 1.4: Chinese: variant Romanization of the surname 嚴 and 顏 possibly based on their Hokkien pronunciations see Yan 1 and 4.5: Filipino: of Chinese origin variant Romanization of the surname 嚴 (see 4 above).6: Irish: from Mag Gana see McGann.
Gao : Chinese:: 1: Mandarin form of the surname 高 meaning ‘high’ in Chinese: (i) said to be borne by descendants of Gao Yuan (高元) an official during the reign of the legendary Huang Di the ‘Yellow Emperor’ (c. 27th century BC). (ii) from Gao (高) the name of a fief (located in Yuxian in Henan province) granted to Prince Gao son of the Duke Wen of Qi (the 10th recorded ruler of the state of Qi died 804 BC). (iii) from the second element of the personal name Zi Gao (子高) style name of Prince Qi son of the Duke Hui of Qi (ruler of the state of Qi died 599 BC). (iv) borne by descendants of Yuan Jingan and Yuan Wenyao who were endowed with the surname Gao (高) by Emperor Wenxuan of Northern Qi (526–559 AD). (v) adopted in place of the surname 徐 by Gao Long (高隆) who inherited his foster father's surname during the Northern Qi dynasty (550–577 AD). (vi) adopted as a surname by the Emperor Mu-Rong Yun (died 409 AD) in the Later Yan dynasty (384–407 AD). (vii) adopted as a surname by some families in the Xianbei and Gaoli (Korean) ethnic groups in northern China.2: Mandarin form of the surname 郜: from Gao (郜) the name of a state (located in Chengwu in Shandong province) granted to the 11th son of the virtuous King Wen of Zhou (1152–1056 BC). After it was annexed by the state of Song during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC) the name of the state was adopted as a surname.3: Mandarin form of the surname 皋 meaning ‘marsh’ in Chinese: (i) said to be traced back to Gao Yao (皋陶) the official in charge of penalty during the reign of the legendary Emperor Shun (c. 23rd century BC); (ii) from the first element of the personal name Gao Ru (皋如) an official in the state of Yue during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC). (iii) from Gao (皋) the name of an ancient tribe or a small state (possibly located in northern China) later annexed by the state of Jin during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC).
Gou : 1: Chinese: Mandarin form of the surname 苟 meaning ‘careless’ in Chinese: (i) said to be borne by descendants of the legendary Huang Di or ‘the Yellow Emperor’ (c. 27th century BC). (ii) from the placename Gou (苟) the name of a fief granted to an official in the state of Chu during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC). (iii) adopted in place of the Chinese surname Xun (荀) by an official in the state of Jin during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC) in order to escape from persecution. (iv) adopted in place of the Chinese surname Gou (句) during the reign of Emperor Gaozong of Song (1107–1187 AD) since the surname happened to share similar pronunciation with the personal name of the emperor which was taboo in ancient China. (v) adopted in place of the Chinese surname Jing (敬) during the reign of Emperor Gaozu of Later Jin (892–942 AD) since the surname happened to be part of the personal name of the emperor (whose personal name was Jingtang 敬塘) which was taboo in ancient China. (vi) adopted as the surname by the Ruo Gan (若干) family from the Xianbei ethnic group in northern China during the Northern Wei dynasty (386–534 AD).2: Chinese: Mandarin form of the surname 勾 (or written as 句) said to be traced back to the post-name Gou Mang (勾芒 or 句芒) an official title of Chong son of the legendary king Shao Hao (c. 26th century BC).3: Chinese: Mandarin form of the surname 緱: (i) said to be borne by the descendants of Zong Jing a grandson of King Ling of Zhou (died 545 BC). (ii) possibly from the placename Gou (緱) the name of a fief (located in Henan province) during the Western Zhou dynasty (1046–771 BC). (iii) adopted by the Ke Hou (渴侯) family from the Xianbei ethnic group in northern China during the Northern Wei dynasty (386–534 AD).4: Chinese: Mandarin form of the surname 芶: (i) adopted in place of another Chinese surname Gou (勾) which shared a similar pronunciation with the personal name of Emperor Gaozong of Song (1107–1187 AD) a taboo in ancient China. (ii) possibly interchangeable with another surname 苟 in ancient China.5: Chinese: variant Romanization of the surname 郭 see Guo 1.6: Catalan: from the medieval ancient Germanic personal name Gaud or Gauto.
Ha : 1: Chinese: Cantonese form of the surname 夏 meaning ‘summer’; see Xia.2: Chinese: variant Romanization of the surnames 何 and 賀 see He 1 and 2.3: Chinese: Mandarin form of the surname 哈; originally a surname of the Hui people a Muslim ethnic group in China also traced back to other minority ethnic groups in northern and northwestern China such as Mongolians.4: Korean: written 하 in Chinese characters 河 meaning ‘river’ and 夏 meaning ‘summer’. There are two Ha clans in Korea each designated by a different Chinese character. (i) The founding ancestor of the larger Ha clan (Chinese character 河) was Ha Kong-jin (河 拱辰) an official of the Koryŏ period who settled in the Chinju area of Kyŏngsang South province in the 11th century. (ii) The founding ancestor of the smaller Ha clan (Chinese character 夏) was Ha Hŭm (夏欽) who settled in Talsŏng County near Taegu in Kyŏngsang North province after migrating from Song China some time in the early part of the 12th century. Compare Har 2.5: Vietnamese (Hà): from the Chinese surname 何 see He 1.6: Vietnamese (Hạ): from the Chinese surnames 賀 (see He 2) or 夏 (see Xia).
Hang : 1: Chinese: Mandarin form of the surname 杭: adopted in place of another Chinese surname 抗 (Kang in Mandarin pinyin) which can be traced back to San Kang (三抗/杭/伉) a noble official in the state of Wey (衛) during the Spring and Autumn Period (770–476 BC). The two Chinese characters 抗 and 杭 were interchangeable in ancient Chinese. During the Northern Song dynasty (960–1127 AD) many people with the surname 抗 changed it to 杭 (which has a different meaning and pronunciation in modern Chinese).2: Chinese: variant Romanization of the surname 洪. See Hong 1.3: Chinese: Teochew Hokkien or Taiwanese form of the surname 項 see Xiang 2.4: Chinese: Teochew Hokkien or Taiwanese form of the surname 韓 see Han 1.5: Chinese: Cantonese form of the surname 幸 see Xing 2.6: Chinese: variant Romanization of the surname 康. See Kang 1.7: Vietnamese (Hạng): from the Chinese surname 項 see Xiang 2.8: Cambodian: written ហង្ស from a Khmer word denoting a kind of mythological bird (known in English by its Sanskrit name hamsa). Compare Hong 20.9: Southeast Asian (Hmong): from the name of the Hang clan of the Hmong people in Laos China and Vietnam; in Chinese characters it is written 項 (see Xiang 2 compare 3 above).10: Burmese (Chin): from a part of a male compound personal name possibly from hang ‘juice’. — Note: Since Chins do not have hereditary surnames this name element was registered as such only after immigration of its bearers to the US.11: South German and Swiss German: variant of Hank a pet form of Johann or Heinrich.
Hei : 1: Chinese: Mandarin form of the surname 黑 meaning ‘black’ in Chinese: (i) from the personal name Hei Gong (黑肱) personal name of a son of King Gong of Chu (ruler of the state of Chu 600 BC–560 BC). (ii) said to be borne by the descendants of Song Weizi founder of the state of Song (established in around 11th century BC). (iii) adopted as a surname by different minority ethnic groups in China. Also pronounced as He in some local dialects.2: Chinese: Cantonese form of the surname 郗 see Xi 5.3: Chinese: possibly from Cantonese form of some Chinese names 喜 希 羲 熙 曦 熹 or 晞 which were monosyllabic personal names or part of disyllabic personal names of some early Chinese immigrants in the US.4: German: variant of Hey. This surname is very rare in Germany.
Hua : 1: Hawaiian: unexplained.2: Vietnamese (Hứa): from the Chinese surname 許 see Xu 2.3: Chinese: Mandarin form (also Hokkien or Teochew form) of the surname 華 meaning ‘prosperous splendid’ or a short form for China: (i) possibly from Hua (華) the name of a hill (located in Shaanxi province) also called West Yue possibly dating back to the Xia dynasty (2070–1600 BC). (ii) from the placename Hua (華) the name of a fief (located in Huayang County in Shaanxi province) granted to Kao Fu son of Duke Dai of Song (ruler of the state of Song reigned 799–766 BC).4: Chinese: Mandarin form of the surname 花 meaning ‘flowers’ in Chinese: (i) possibly adopted in place of the Chinese surname 華 see 1 above. (ii) adopted in place of the surname Fan (范) by Fan Yongji during the Jin dynasty (1115–1234 AD).5: Chinese: Mandarin form of the surname 滑 meaning ‘slippery’ in Chinese: from Hua (滑) the name of a state (located in Yanshi in Henan province). After the state was annexed by the state of Jin during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC) the name of the state was adopted as a surname.6: Chinese: Mandarin form of the surname 化 meaning 'to change' in Chinese: said to be traced back to Hua Hu (化狐) an official during the reign of the legendary emperor Huang Di the ‘Yellow Emperor’ (c. 27th century BC) or Hua Yi (化益 also known as Bo Yi) a legendary talent during the reign of Emperor Yao (c. 24th century BC).7: Chinese: variant Romanization of the surname 許 see Xu 2.8: Chinese: Hokkien form of the surname 和 see He 3.9: Chinese: variant Romanization of the surname 潘 see Pan 1.
Huai : Chinese:: 1: Mandarin form of the surname 懷 meaning ‘miss yearn for’ in Chinese: (i) said to be borne by descendants of the legendary king Wu Huai Shi (無懷氏) who lived prior to the Xia dynasty (2070–1600 BC). (ii) possibly from the placename Huai (懷) the name of a fief (located in Henan province) originally granted to Tang Shu Yu (Shu Yu of Tang) son of King Wen of Zhou (1152–1056 BC). (iii) possibly from Huai (懷) the posthumous title of Chu Huai Wang (楚懷王 King Huai of Chu ruler of the state of Chu died 296 BC). (iv) possibly adopted in place of another Chinese surname Wei (隗). (v) possibly traced back to Song Weizi the founder of the state of Song.2: Mandarin form of the surname 淮: (i) said to be traced back to Shi Huai Fu (师淮父) a figure during the Zhou dynasty (1046–256 BC). (ii) from Huai (淮) the name of a river (also known as Huai River located in present-day Anhui province).
Jian : Chinese:: 1: Mandarin form of the surname 簡 meaning ‘simple’ or ‘bamboo slips used for writing in ancient times’: (i) from the personal name of Jian Shifu (簡師父) an official during the Eastern Zhou dynasty (770–256 BC). (ii) from the personal name of Jian Shu (簡叔) an official in the state of Lu (located mainly in present-day Shandong province) during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC). (iii) from the personal name of Jian (簡) posthumous title of Hu Juju also known as Xu Jianbo (續簡伯) a noble official in the state of Jin (located mainly in present-day Shanxi province) during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC). (iv) from the personal name of Jian Yong (簡雍) a person in the state of Shu (located mainly in present-day Sichuan province) during the Three Kingdoms period (220–280 AD) who changed his original surname (耿 Geng 2) to 簡 since these two surnames shared similar pronunciations in ancient Chinese. (v) from another surname Jian (檢) meaning ‘procurator’ in ancient China. People changed their surname from Jian (檢) to Jian (簡) during the Western Han dynasty (206 BC–25 AD) probably in order to avoid persecution.2: Mandarin form of the surname 菅 from the placename Jian (菅) the name of a fief (located in present-day Shandong province) in the state of Song during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC).3: Mandarin form of the surname 翦 meaning ‘nascent feather’ in Chinese: surname traced back to a Uygur general in the Ming dynasty (1368–1662 AD) who was endowed with the surname Jian (翦) by the emperor Zhu Yuanzhang (1328–1398 AD) and later resided in Taoyuan in Hunan province; also a surname from other minority ethnic groups in China.4: Mandarin form of the surname 蹇 meaning ‘crippled’ in Chinese: (i) said to be traced back to Jian Xiu (蹇修) an official during the reign of Tai Hao a legendary leader prior to the Xia dynasty (2070–1600 BC). (ii) from the personal name Jian Shu (蹇叔 c. 690–610 BC) a famous politician in the state of Qin during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC).
Jiang : Chinese:: 1: Mandarin form of the surname 江 meaning ‘river’ in Chinese: (i) from Jiang (江) the name of an ancient state (located in present-day Zhengyang in Henan province) in the Shang dynasty (1600–1046 BC) and Western Zhou dynasty (1046–771 BC). After it was annexed by the state of Chu in 623 BC the name of the state was adopted as a surname. (ii) from the name of Jiang Chugong (江處恭). In the earlier Northern Song Dynasty (960–1127 AD) in Quanzhou in Fujian province Weng Qiandu had six sons and gave different surnames to each of them. His second son Weng Chugong was given the surname Jiang. Thus he was also called Jiang Chugong. He and his brothers all became celebrated officials known as “the Six Laureates”.2: Mandarin form of the surname 蔣: from Jiang (蔣) the name of an ancient state (probably located in present-day Henan province) which was granted to Bo Ling a grandson of King Wen of Zhou(1152–1056 BC). After this state was annexed by the state of Chu people kept the name of the state as their surname.3: Mandarin form of the surname 姜 meaning ‘ginger’ in Chinese: the surname is traced back to the legendary Yan Di or the ‘Yan Emperor'. He was born near Jiang Shui (姜水 literally meaning 'River Jiang ') a river in present-day Shaanxi province. He and his descendants acquired 姜 (Jiang) part of the placename as their surname. A famous descendant Jiang Shang known as Jiang Ziya or Jiang Tai Gong (c. 11th century BC) an official during the Western Zhou dynasty (1046–771 BC) was granted the state of Qi which is located mainly in present-day Shandong province.
Kang : 1: Chinese: Mandarin form of the surname 康 meaning ‘healthy’ in Chinese: (i) from the first element of Kang Shu (康叔) the posthumous title of one of the sons of the virtuous King Wen of Zhou (1152–1056 BC). Kang Shu was the first king of the state of Wey (衛) (which is located mainly around present-day Hebi and Xinxiang in Henan province). (ii) from the first element of Kang Ju (康居) the name of a state in Central Asia during the Western Han dynasty (206 BC–25 AD). People from this state adopted 康 as their surname. (iii) from Kang (康) the Chinese name of the state of Samarkand in Central Asia. Immigrants from Samarkand in China acquired 康 the Chinese name of their state as their surname known as one of the 'Nine Sogdian Surnames’. (iv) adopted in place of another Chinese surname 匡 (see Kuang 2). Some people with the surname 匡 changed their surname to 康 during the reign of Zhao Kuangyin (赵匡胤) known as Emperor Taizu of Song (927–976 AD) the first emperor of the Northern Song dynasty (960–1127 AD) because 匡 happened to be part of the personal name of the emperor which was taboo in ancient China.2: Chinese: Mandarin form of the surname 亢 meaning ‘high’ or ‘haughty’ in Chinese: (i) from the first element of the placename Kang Fu (亢父) the name of a vassal state (in present-day Jining in Shandong province) in the state of Qi during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC). (ii) adopted in place of another Chinese surname 伉 (Kang in Mandarin pinyin) also sharing the same origin of another two Chinese surnames 抗 (Kang in Mandarin pinyin) and 杭 (pronounced the same as 抗 in ancient Chinese Hang in today's Mandarin pinyin) which can be traced back to San Kang (三伉/抗/杭) a noble official in the state of Wey (衛) during the Spring and Autumn Period (770–476 BC).3: Chinese: Cantonese form of the surname 耿 see Geng 2.4: Chinese: Teochew Hokkien or Taiwanese form of the surname 江 see Jiang 1. This pronunciation is found in eastern Guangdong province Fujian province and Taiwan from where some people migrated to Malaysia Singapore and other parts of Southeast Asia.5: Chinese: variant Romanization of the surname 簡 see Jian 1.6: Chinese: alternative Mandarin form of the surname 剛 see Gang 6.7: Korean: written 강 in Chinese characters 姜 康 剛 and 强. There are actually five Chinese characters for the surname Kang. Some records indicate that there are as many as one hundred separate Kang clans but only four have actually been documented. There is one Chinese character for each clan. The fifth character is an alternate character for the smallest of the Kang clans and is the result of a scribal error which was introduced in 1908. That segment of the smaller Kang clan which was labeled with the alternate character still uses it and recognizes it as the character for their surname. (i) The largest clan the Kang family of Chinju (it uses the Chinese character 姜) first appears in the historical record in AD 597. It is said to be descended from Kang I-shik (姜 以式) a military official in the ancient Koguryŏ kingdom. Kang I-shik valiantly defended the Koguryŏ kingdom against invasions from China. Subsequently his descendant Kang Chin (姜 縉) was enfeoffed with Chinju in Kyŏngsang South Province. Chinju henceforth became the clan seat for the Kang family. Many members of the largest Kang clan still live in the area of Chinju of Kyŏngsang Province. (ii) The Chinese character 康 is borne by the descendants of Kang Ho-kyŏng (康 虎景). His 14th-generation descendant Kang Chi-yŏn (康 之淵) attended the Koryŏ king Kojong when he fled to Kanghwa Island during the Mongol invasions. Kang Chi-yŏn was subsequently enfeoffed with Shinch’ŏn in Hwanghae Province. There are two other clans of this Kang family but both descend from Kang Chi-yŏn. (iii) The two smaller Kang clans have only a few households in all of Korea. Compare Gang 6.8: Cambodian: written កាំង of Chinese origin but unexplained etymology (probably corresponding to one of the surnames above).9: Cambodian: written កង corresponding to the Khmer word meaning e.g. ‘round bracelet’. Compare Kong 9.10: Southeast Asian (Hmong): variant of Khang 1; in Chinese characters it is written 康 (see 1 above).
Kong : 1: Korean: there are two Chinese characters for the surname Kong. One of these is borne by only one clan the other by two clans. One of the Kong clans claims Confucius as its ancestor the 53rd ancestor of Confucius having migrated from his home in China to Koryŏ and settled in Ch’angwŏn where his grave can still be seen today. The other two Kong clans the Kimhae Kong and the Munch’ŏn Kong clans both sprang from descendants of a famous T’ang Chinese scholar Kong Yun-po. A man named Kong Myŏng-nye founded the Kimhae Kong clan when he was exiled to Kimhae during the reign of Chosŏn King Sŏngjong in the latter half of the fifteenth century. The founder of the Munch’ŏn Kong clan Kong Chin-ŏn was banished to Munchŏn in Hamgyŏng province during the reign of Chosŏn King Sejong during the first half of the fifteenth century.2: Chinese: Mandarin form of the surname 孔 meaning ‘hole’ in Chinese: (i) from the first element of the personal name Kong Fu (孔父) style name of Kong Fu Jia (孔父嘉) an official in the state of Song who was murdered in 710 BC. His son then fled to the state of Lu and inherited 孔 as his surname. The philosopher Confucius (551–479 BC) was one of his descendants. (ii) from the first element of the personal name Kong Kui (孔悝) style name of an official in the state of Wey (衛) (located mainly around present-day Hebi and Xinxiang in Henan province) during the Spring and Autumn Period (770–476 BC). (iii) from the first element of the personal name Kong Ning (孔寧) style name of an official in the state of Chen (mainly in present-day eastern Henan province and northwestern Haozhou in Anhui province) during the Spring and Autumn Period (770–476 BC). (iv) from the second element of the personal name Zi Kong (子孔) style name of a prince from the state of Zheng (located in part of present-day Shaanxi and Henan province) during the Spring and Autumn Period (770–476 BC).3: Chinese: Cantonese form of the surname 江 see Jiang 1.4: Chinese: Cantonese form of the surnames 龔 鞏 宮 公 弓 貢 and 恭 see Gong 1-7.5: Chinese: variant Romanization of the surname 鄺 see Kuang 1.6: Chinese: variant Romanization of the surname 康 based on its Hakka pronunciation see Kang 1.7: Chinese: Cantonese form of the surname 亢 see Kang 2.8: Cambodian: written គង់ from a Khmer word meaning e.g. ‘(to be) invulnerable’.9: Cambodian: written កង same as Kang 9.10: Southeast Asian (Hmong): from the name of the Kong clan of the Hmong people in Laos China and Vietnam; in Chinese characters it is written 龔 or 鞏 (see Gong 1 and 2).11: Danish: nickname from kong ‘king’ or an occupational name for someone in the service of the king.
Kuang : Chinese:: 1: Mandarin form of the surname 鄺: (i) from Kuang (鄺 also written as 曠) the name of an ancient state (probably located in present-day Anhui province). (ii) said to be adopted in place of the surname 黃 by the sons of Huang Xian a general during the reign of Emperor Zhongzong of Tang (656–710 AD). It was said that Huang Xian's two sons changed their surname 黃 (Huang) to 曠 (Kuang) and 鄺 (Kuang) in order to escape from political persecutions because their father Huang Xian lost the battle to the invaders on the frontier. (iii) said to be traced back to Fang Zhun an official during the Southern Song dynasty (1127 AD – 1279 AD) who was endowed with the surname Kuang (鄺) by the then emperor because Zhun's daughter became the emperor's consort. He was later demoted and moved to Heyuan (located in present-day Guangdong province).2: Mandarin form of the surname 匡 meaning ‘rectify’ or ‘assist’ in ancient Chinese: (i) from the placename Kuang (匡) the name of a fief (in present-day Yutai in Shangdong province) in the state of Lu which was granted to Gou Xu during the Spring and Autumn Period (770–476 BC). (ii) from the placename Kuang (匡) the name of a fief (in present-day Changyuan in Henan province) in the state of Wey (衛) during the Spring and Autumn Period. (iii) from the placename Kuang (匡) the name of a fief (in present-day Suixian in Henan province) in the state of Chu during the Spring and Autumn Period. (iv) from the placename Kuang (匡) the name of a fief (in present-day Fugou in Henan province) in the state of Zheng during the Spring and Autumn Period.3: Mandarin form of the surname 況 meaning ‘situation’ or ‘circumstances’ in Chinese: (i) said to be borne by descendants of Kuang Chang Ning (況長寧) an official in the state of Shu (located mainly in present-day Sichuan province) during the Three Kingdoms period (220–280 AD). (ii) said to have been adopted as a surname by Kuang Zhong (況鐘) an official in the Ming dynasty (1368–1644 AD) whose original surname is said to have been Huang (黃).4: Mandarin form of the surname 曠 meaning ‘spacious' in Chinese: (i) from Kuang (曠 also written as 鄺 see 1 above) the name of an ancient state (probably located in present-day Anhui province). (ii) from the second element of the personal name Shi Kuang (师曠) personal name of a musician in the state of Jin during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC). (iii) said to be adopted in place of the surname 黃 by the sons of Huang Xian a general during the reign of Emperor Zhongzong of Tang (656–710 AD). It was said that Huang Xian's two sons changed their surname 黃 (Huang) to 曠 (Kuang) and 鄺 (Kuang see 1 above) in order to escape from political persecutions because their father Huang Xian lost the battle to the invaders on the frontier.5: variant Romanization of the surnames 關 管 and 官 see Guan 1-3.6: variant of Guang.
Kuk : 1: North German: perhaps an occupational name for a pastry cook (compare Kok 1).2: Slovenian: probably a topographic name from dialect kuk ‘hip’ by extension ‘hill hillock’ (compare Kok 2). It may also be a nickname from the homonym kuk ‘insect little worm’.3: Croatian: probably a topographic name of the same meaning as Slovenian name above from kuk ‘hip’.4: Polish: nickname from Old Polish kukać ‘to call to cry out to shout’ or kuk ‘demon evil spirit’. Compare Cook.5: Korean: there are three Chinese characters for this surname used by three different clans. Two of them are very rare; only the Tamyang Kuk clan will be considered here. This is said to have originated in Song China. The clan's founding ancestor Kuk Ryang held a government post during the early 12th century in the Koryŏ period. Kuk Ryang's ancestors are said to have come from Song China. Compare Cook 6 and Kook 3.6: Chinese: Cantonese form of the surname 鞠 see Ju 1.7: Chinese: Cantonese form of the surname 谷 see Gu 4.8: Chinese: Cantonese form of the surname 郤 see Xi 4.9: Chinese: Cantonese form of the surname 曲 see Qu 1.10: Amerindian (Mexico): Mayan name from a word denoting e.g. ‘squirrel’ (see Kuk) or ‘feather’ by extension also ‘quetzal’.
Kwak : 1: Korean: there is only one Chinese character used for the surname Kwak. Some sources list 52 clans for Kwak but only two clans can be documented. The founder of the Ch’ŏngju Kwak family was an official during the reign of Shilla King Hŏn’gyŏng (875–886) named Kwak Sang. The founder of the other Kwak clan the Hyŏnp’ung clan was named Kwak Kyŏng and migrated to Korea from Song China in 1133. Compare Kwock 2 and Kwok 2.2: Chinese: variant Romanization of the surname 郭 see Guo 1.3: Dutch: topographic or habitational name referring to a house distinguished by the sign of a night heron Dutch kwak.
Lao : 1: Chinese: Mandarin form of the surname 勞 meaning ‘consoling and rewarding’ in ancient Chinese: (i) from the placename Lao Shan (勞山) the name of a famous hill in present-day Shandong province. It was adopted as a surname during the Western Han dynasty (202 BC–25 AD). (ii) from the official post in ancient China who took charge of consoling citizens and provided help for them. Since the Chinese character 勞 had the meaning ‘consoling and rewarding’ they acquired the surname 勞.2: Chinese: Mandarin form of the surname 老: (i) from the first element of Lao Tong (老童) title of son of the legendary king Zhuanxu (traditional dates: 2514–2437 BC). (ii) borne by descendants of Lao Dan (老聃) also known as Lao Tzu founder of Taoism. (iii) from Lao (老) the name of a fief (located in Shandong province) granted to grandson of the Duke Dai of Song (ruler of the state of Song reigned 799–766 BC).3: Chinese: alternative Cantonese form of the surnames 劉 and 柳. Also Teochew or Hokkien form of the surname 劉. See Liu 1 and 2.4: Chinese: alternative Cantonese form of the surnames 婁 and 樓 see Lou 1 and 2.5: Vietnamese: from the Chinese surname 勞 see 1 above.6: Catalan (Laó): variant of Llaó itself a variant of Lleó a cognate of Spanish Leo 5.7: Spanish (southern): unexplained.
Le : 1: Chinese: Mandarin form of the surname 樂 meaning ‘happiness’ in Chinese: from the first element of the personal name Le Fu (樂父) style name of Yan son of the Duke Dai of Song (ruler of the state of Song reigned 799–766 BC). Yan's grandson Le Ju (樂莒) inherited Le (樂) as his surname.2: Chinese: Mandarin form of the surname 勒: (i) from the second element of the placename Shu-Le (疏勒) an ancient state (located in present-day Xinjiang Uyghur autonomous region) during the Western Han dynasty (206 BC–25 AD). (ii) a surname near the Bohai Sea region during the Han dynasty (206 BC–220 AD). (iii) a surname traced back to the Hun ethnic group in northern China during the Jin dynasty (265–420 AD).3: Chinese: variant of Li.4: Chinese: variant Romanization of the surname 呂 possibly based on its Teochew pronunciation see Lu 6.5: Vietnamese (Lê): from the Chinese surname 黎 also the royal surname of the Lê Dynasty (usually referring to the Later Lê Dynasty 1428–1788 AD) see Li 2.6: Vietnamese (Lệ): from the Chinese surnames 厲 and 酈 see Li 5 and 6.
Liu : Chinese:: 1: Mandarin form of the surname 劉 referring to a ‘type of axe used as a weapon’ or meaning ‘kill’ in ancient Chinese: (i) from Liu (劉) the name of an ancient state (located in Tang County in Hebei province). After this state was annexed during the reign of King Xuan of Zhou (reigned 827–782 BC) some people from it adopted 劉 as their surname. Liu Bang (劉邦) (256–195 BC) the founder of the Western Han dynasty (202 BC - 25 AD) is said to have been a descendant of one of these people. (ii) from the names of two other Western Han nobles Lou Jing and Xiang Bochan who were given the surname Liu (劉) by Liu Bang (Emperor Gaozu of Han 256–195 BC). In addition one of Liu Bang's daughters was said to be sent to marry Modu Chanyu (died 174 BC) the then chief of the Huns after the campaign at Baideng in 200 BC and some of their descendants later inherited Liu (劉) as their surname. (iii) from the placename Liu (劉) the name of a fief (located in Yanshi in present-day Henan province) granted to the son of Wang Ji a noble who lived during the reign of King Cheng of Zhou (reigned 1042–1021 BC).2: Mandarin form of the surname 柳 meaning ‘willow’ in Chinese: (i) from the first element of the placename Liu Xia (柳下) the name of a fief (located in Shandong province) in the state of Lu granted to Zhan Qin also known as Liu Xia Hui (柳下惠) (720–621 BC) a revered judicial official in the state of Lu. (ii) from the placename Liu (柳) the name of a fief (located in Xihua in Henan province) granted to Xiong Xin (died 205 BC) a grandson of King Huai of Chu (ruler of the state of Chu died 296 BC).3: Mandarin form of the surname 留 meaning ‘stay’ in Chinese: (i) from placename Liu (留) the name of an ancient fief (possibly located in present-day Henan province) which was said to be granted to one of the sons of the legendary Emperor Yao (c. 24th century BC). (ii) from another placename Liu (留) the name of a fief (located in present-day Jiangsu province) granted to an official in the state of Song during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC). (iii) adopted in place of the original surname Liu (劉) by the descendants of Liu Dan (433–459 AD) who was murdered due to rebellion against his brother Emperor Xiaowu of Song (died 464 AD). His descendants were then ordered to change their surname to Liu (留).4: Cantonese form of the surname 廖 see Liao.
Mai : 1: Chinese: Mandarin form of the surname 麥 meaning ‘wheat’ in Chinese: (i) from Mai Qiu (麥丘) the title of a man in the state of Qi (located mainly in present-day Shandong province) during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC) who despite being very old came to celebrate the birthday of the Duke Huan of Qi (ruler of the state of Qi died 643 BC). His descendants inherited 麥 the first part of his title as their surname. (ii) borne by descendants of Mai Tie Zhang (麥鐵杖) a famous general during the Sui dynasty (581–618 AD). His descendants were scattered around southern China.2: Chinese: Mandarin and Cantonese form of the surname 買 meaning ‘buy’ in Chinese: (i) borne by descendants of the king Song Weizi founder of the state of Song. (ii) borne by descendants of the Duke Dao of Xu (ruler of the state of Xu 546–523 BC) possibly inheriting his personal name. (iii) from the first element of the personal name Mai Zhu Chu (買朱鉏) style name of an official who lived during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC). (iv) it has also been traced back to other ethnic groups in northern China.3: Chinese: Cantonese form of the surname 米 see Mi.4: Chinese: variant Romanization of the surname 马 see Ma 1.5: Chinese: variant Romanization of the surname 梅 see Mei 1.6: Vietnamese: from the Chinese surname 梅 see Mei 1.7: German: variant of May 2 ‘May’. This surname is also found in France (Alsace and Lorraine) and Denmark.
Men : 1: Jewish (from Ukraine): from the Yiddish male personal name Men a pet form of either Mendel or Biblical Menachem.2: Cambodian: written ម៉ែន and មិន both probably of Chinese origin but unexplained etymology.3: Chinese: Mandarin form of the surname 門 meaning ‘doors or gates’: (i) borne by descendants of certain nobles of the Western Zhou dynasty (1046–771 BC) since they were allowed to enter the royal palace through the main gate. (ii) from the post name Men (門) in the state of Song during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC) equivalent to the modern term ‘guards’. (iii) borne by descendants of certain nobles in the state of Qi during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC). (iv) adopted as a surname by the Chi Men (叱門) Tu Men (吐門) and Ku Men (庫門) families from the Xianbei ethnic group in northern China during the Northern Wei dynasty (386–534 AD).
Mi : Chinese:: 1: Mandarin form of the surname 米 which means ‘rice’: (i) from one of the ‘Nine Sogdian Surnames’ also known as ‘nine surnames of Zhaowu’ because their ancestors came from Zhaowu an ancient city in present-day Gansu province in northwestern China. During the Sui and Tang dynasties (581–987 AD) there were nine Sogdian states in Central Asia one of which was called Mi (米) in Chinese (located in present-day Uzbekistan). Between 649 and 655 AD these states submitted to the Emperor Gaozong of Tang (628–683 AD). Immigrants from the state of Mi to China acquired the surname 米. (ii) for some families the surname is borne by descendants of Mi Fu (米芾) an artist in the Northern Song dynasty (960–1127 AD) who claimed he was a descendant from the royal families of the state of Chu in the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC) and changed his original surname 芈 to 米 a different Chinese character with the same pronunciation.2: Mandarin form of the surname 宓 (also pronounced as Fu in Mandarin): (i) said to be borne by descendants of Fu Xi (伏羲) a legendary figure prior to the Xia dynasty (2070–1600 BC). (ii) said to be traced back to Mi Kang Gong (密康公 also written as 宓康公 Duke Kang of Mi died 922 BC) ruler of the state of Mi during the Western Zhou dynasty (1046–771 BC).3: Mandarin form of the surname 密 meaning ‘secret’ in Chinese: (i) from the first element of Mi Xu (密須) the name of an ancient state (located in present-day Gansu province) during the Shang dynasty (1600–1046 BC). (ii) from Mi (密) the name of a state (originally located in present-day Gansu province later moved to Mixian in present-day Henan province) during the Zhou dynasty (1046–256 BC). (iii) from the placename Mi (密) the name of two fiefs (located in Shandong province) in the state of Lu and the state of Ju respectively. (iv) a surname from the Tangut ethnic group in northwestern China.4: Mandarin form of the surname 秘 (also pronounced as Bi or Bei in Mandarin) see Bi 3.
Mo : 1: Chinese: Mandarin form of the surname 莫 meaning ‘nothing; nonexistent’ in Chinese: (i) from the placename Mo (鄚) the name of a fief (located in Renqiu in present-day Hebei province) in the state of Zhao during the Warring States period (475–221 BC). This fief may be identical with the city of Mo built by the legendary king Zhuanxu (traditional dates: 2514–2437 BC). When the name of the fiefdom was adopted as a surname the Chinese character 鄚 was simplified as 莫 and adopted as a surname. (ii) from Mo Ao (莫敖) said to be the name of an official position in the state of Chu during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC) approximately equivalent to ‘deputy prime minister’. Descendants of people who were appointed to this position adopted 莫 (Mo) as their surname. However it is said that Mo Ao (莫敖) was also the name of an official in the state of Chu during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC) whose descendants inherited 莫 as their surname. (iii) shortened form of Xing Mo (刑莫) Mo Na Lou (莫那婁) and Mo Duo Lou (莫多婁) surnames from the Xianbei ethnic group in ancient northern China during the Northern Wei dynasty (386–534 AD). (iv) simplified form of another ancient Chinese surname 幕 (Mu in Mandarin pinyin) said to be borne by descendants of Yu Mu ancestor of the legendary Emperor Shun (c. 23rd century BC). They settled mainly in Julu and Jiangling in Hubei province.2: Chinese: Mandarin form of the surname 墨 meaning ‘ink’ in Chinese: (i) from the personal name of Mo Ru (墨如) said to be the teacher of Yu the first emperor of the Xia dynasty (2070–1600 BC). (ii) shortened form of the compound surname Mo-Tai (墨台 or 墨胎) the surname of the royal family of an ancient state called Gu Zhu (located in present-day Hebei province) during the late Shang dynasty (1600–1046 BC). (iii) it is also said that the surname is borne by descendants of Mo Tai (墨台) a prince of the state of Song (located in present-day Shangqiu in Henan province) during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC).3: Chinese: Cantonese Teochew Hokkien and Taiwanese form of the surname 毛 see Mao 1.4: Chinese: variant Romanization of the surname 牟 see Mou 1.5: Chinese: Cantonese form of the surnames 武 and 巫 see Wu 3 and 4.6: Chinese: variant Romanization of the surname 茅 see Mao 2.Also Cantonese form of the surname 冒 see Mao 3.7: Chinese: Cantonese form of the surname 慕 see Mu 2.8: Burmese: variant of Moe 5.9: Amerindian (Guatemala): Mayan name from mo ‘macaw’ a kind of parrot. Compare Moo.10: Norwegian: variant of Moe 1.11: Portuguese and Galician: habitational name from any of the places called Mó or A Mó in Portugal and Galicia (Spain) from Latin molam ‘millstone’ referring to a great stone.
Mu : 1: Chinese: Mandarin form of the surname 穆 meaning ‘solemnity virtue’: (i) from Mu (穆) posthumous title of the Duke Mu of Song (died 720 BC) the 14th ruler of the state of Song (located in present-day Shangqiu in Henan province). He earned the title Mu 穆 because of his virtue during his reign. (ii) from the Qiu Mu Ling (丘穆陵) family members of the Xianbei ethnic group in ancient northern China who changed their original surname to Mu (穆) during the Northern Wei dynasty (386–534 AD). (iii) from Mu (穆) posthumous title of the Duke Mu of Lu (died 377 BC) ruler of the state of Lu (located in present-day Shandong province).2: Chinese: Mandarin form of the surname 慕: (i) said to be traced back to Yu Mu (虞慕) ancestor of the legendary Emperor Shun (c. 23rd century BC). (ii) shortened form of the compound surname Mu-Rong (慕容) a surname from the Xianbei and Tuyuhun ethnic group in northern China. (iii) a surname from Korean and Jurchen ethnic groups in northeastern China.3: Chinese: Mandarin form of the surname 母 meaning ‘female’ in Chinese: (i) shortened form of compound Chinese surname Mu-Qiu (母邱) or Wu-Qiu (毋邱) originally name of a fief in the state of Qi granted to a brother of King Xuan of Qi (ruler of the state of Qi died 301 BC) during Warring States Period (475– 221 BC). (ii) possibly a miswritten form of another Chinese surname Wu (毋) see Wu 6.4: Chinese: Mandarin form of the surname 牧 meaning ‘herd’ in Chinese: (i) said to be borne by the descendants of Li Mu (力牧) an official during the reign of the legendary emperor Huang Di the ‘Yellow Emperor’ (c. 27th century BC). (ii) from the placename Mu (牧) the name of a fief (located in Henan province) granted to an official in the state of Wey (衛) during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC).5: Chinese: Mandarin form of the surname 沐 meaning ‘wash one's hair’ in ancient Chinese: (i) adopted as a surname by the descendants of Duan-Mu Ci (520–456 BC) one student of Confucius; (ii) possibly from the name of the Mu river (located in present-day Shandong province); (iii) a surname traced back to other minority ethnic groups in China.6: Chinese: Mandarin form of the surname 木 meaning ‘wood’ in Chinese: (i) shortened form of the compound surname Duan-Mu (端木) a surname traced back to Duan-Mu Ci (端木賜) a student of Confucius (551–479 BC). Some descendants of the Duan-Mu family adopted this surname in order to escape from feud. (ii) from the second element of the personal name Zi Mu (子木) style name of Kong Jinfu an official in the state of Song during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC). (iii) traced back to some minority ethnic groups (such as the Naxi and Korean ethnic groups).7: Chinese: another Mandarin form of the surname 牟 (based on another Mandarin pronunciation) see Mou 1.8: Chinese: variant Romanization of the surnames 苗 and 繆 see Miao 1 and 2.9: Burmese (Karen): from a personal name usually forming part of a compound name with various possible meanings including ‘alive’ and ‘daughter’. Compare Moo 3. — Note: Since Karens do not have hereditary surnames this name was registered as such only after immigration of its bearers to the US.10: Hawaiian: unexplained.
Myung : Korean: variant of Myŏng. In 1363 Myŏn Ok-jin established the Ha (Summer) Kingdom between Korea's Koryŏ Kingdom and China's Yuan Kingdom and declared himself emperor. This was a time of shifting political alliances between Korea and China and several such small kingdoms appeared on the borderlands between the two nations. Myŏng Ok-jin died in 1366 and his son Myŏng Sŏng ascended the throne of the Ha Kingdom. At this time however China's Yuan nation was falling and the new Ming Dynasty seized the Ha kingdom's territory. Myŏng Sŏng returned to Koryŏ and was given the right by the Koryŏ king to live in Songdo Korea. Later when the Koryŏ kingdom fell to the Chosŏn kingdom Myŏng Sŭng associated with the Yi Dynasty's founding king Yi Sŏng-gye. Most members of present-day Myŏng family live in North Korea's P’yŏnan North Province.
Niu : 1: Chinese: Mandarin form of the surname 牛 meaning ‘cattle’ in Chinese: (i) from the first element of the personal name Niu Fu (牛父) an official who lived in the state of Song during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC). (ii) borne by descendants of Niu Yun (牛允) an official who lived during the Northern Wei dynasty (386–534 AD).2: Chinese: Mandarin form of the surname 钮 meaning ‘knob’ or ‘button’ in Chinese: possibly a surname from the Manchu ethnic group in ancient China.3: Chinese: variant Romanization of the surname 梁 possibly based on its Teochew or Hokkien pronunciations see Liang 1.4: Tongan: unexplained.
Qiu : Chinese:: 1: Mandarin form of the surname 邱. This was adopted in place of the Chinese surname 丘 (see 2 below) after the Western Han dynasty (206 BC - 25 AD) particularly during the reign of the emperor Yong Zheng (1678–1735 AD) in the Qing dynasty (1616 – 1911 AD) who out of respect for Confucius (551–479 BC) ordered people with the surname 丘 to change to the surname 邱 because the original surname 丘 happened to be the personal name of Confucius.2: Mandarin form of the surname 丘 meaning ‘mound knoll’ in Chinese: (i) from the second element of the placename Ying Qiu (營丘) (located in Shandong province) the capital of the state of Qi when the state was established by Jiang Tai Gong or Jiang Ziya (c. 11th century BC). (ii) traced back to the Qiu (丘) family in the Wu Huan ethnic group which originated in Inner Mongolia. (iii) adopted as a surname by the Qiu Dun (丘敦) and the Qiu Lin (丘林) families from the Xianbei ethnic group in northern China during the Northern Wei dynasty (386–534 AD). (iv) from the second element of the placename Wan Qiu (宛丘) a city in the state of Chen during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC). (v) said to be traced back to Zuo Qiu Ming (左丘明) a famous historian in the state of Lu during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC). (vi) said to be traced back to Qiu Ruo (丘弱) an official in the state of Zhu during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC).3: Mandarin form of the surname 仇 meaning ‘companion’ or ‘spouse’ in ancient Chinese: (i) from the first element of the personal name Qiu Mu (仇牧) personal name of an official in the state of Song during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC). (ii) adopted in place of the Chinese surname Hou (侯) by Qiu Luo Qi (仇洛奇) during the Northern Wei dynasty (386–534 AD).4: Mandarin form of the surname 裘 meaning 'clothes made of fur’ in Chinese: (i) from the placename Qiu (裘) the name of a fief (thought to be located in Henan or Hebei province) granted to an official in the state of Wey during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC). (ii) from Qiu (裘) the title of an official in charge of making furs during the Western Zhou dynasty (1046–771 BC). (iii) in some cases 裘 was adopted in place of the Chinese surname 仇 (see 3 above) in order to escape from persecution.5: Mandarin form of the surname 秋 meaning ‘autumn’ in Chinese: (i) from Si Qiu (司秋) the name of a god in charge of autumn who according to legend was a descendant of the legendary king Shao Hao (c. 26th century BC). (ii) from Qiu Hu (秋胡) a person originating in the state of Lu who simplified the Chinese character 湫 part of his grandfather's personal name to Qiu (秋) and adopted it as a surname. (iii) possibly from Qiu (秋) or Qiu Guan (秋官) also called Si Kou the name of an official post during the Western Zhou dynasty (1046–771 BC) in charge of criminal investigation and punishment.
Ringrose : English: nickname from a Middle English phrase either ringe (the) rose where ringe is a verb or ring on the rose shortened to ringotherose and ringerose where ring is a noun. The name may allude to a game similar to quoits. Compare to ring the bull ‘to play a game where participants throw or swing a ring on to a hook fixed upon a wall or target’. Alternatively it may allude to a singing dance of a type preserved in the children's singing game ring-a-ring o' roses where participants hold hands and dance in a circle falling down at the end of the song. The game is not recorded in England before 1855 but was known in Massachusets c. 1790 and may derive from an adult dance of older date.
Rong : 5: In some cases also Norwegian: habitational name from a farm name in Hordaland related to rong ‘stern (of a boat)’.1: Chinese: Mandarin form of the surname 容 meaning ‘tolerate’ or ‘appearance’ in Chinese: (i) from Rong (容) the name of an ancient state (location unknown). (ii) from Rong (容) the name of a post in ancient China held by officials in charge of the management of rituals ceremonies and music. (iii) from the personal name of Rong Cheng (容成) an official during the reign of the legendary Huang Di the ‘Yellow Emperor’ (c. 27th century BC) who was said to be the inventor of the first Chinese calendar. (iv) from the personal name of Zhong Rong (仲容) an official during the reign of the legendary Emperor Shun (c. 23rd century BC). (v) from Zi Rong (子容) style name of Nan Rong Shi (南容適) also called Nan Rong (南容) a student of Confucius (551–479 BC) during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC).2: Chinese: Mandarin form of the surname 戎 referring to ‘weapons military’ or ‘tribes in western China’ in ancient Chinese: (i) borne by descendants of Song Weizi founder of the state of Song during the Western Zhou dynasty (1046–771 BC). (ii) from Rong (戎) the name of a small state (located in Caoxian in Shandong province) during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC). (iii) from Jiang Rong (姜戎) the name of a vassal state (located in present-day Shanxi province) of the state of Jin (located in present-day Shanxi province) during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC).3: Chinese: Mandarin form of the surname 榮 meaning ‘thriving prosperous’ or ‘glorious’ in Chinese: (i) from the personal name of Rong Yuan (榮援) an official during the reign of the legendary Huang Di the ‘Yellow Emperor’ (c. 27th century BC) who made twelve large bells. (ii) from the placename Rong (榮) the name of a fief (located in Huxian in Shaanxi province) granted to Rong Bo (榮伯 the Earl of Rong) an official during the reign of King Cheng of Zhou (reigned 1042–1021 BC). (iii) from the placename Rong (榮) the name of a state (located in present-day Henan province) granted to Rong Yi Gong (榮夷公 Duke Yi of Rong) an official during the Western Zhou dynasty (1046–771 BC). (iv) from the personal name of Rong Cheng Bo (榮成伯) a member of the royal family of the state of Lu (located in present-day Shandong province) during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC). (v) from the personal name of Rong Ji (榮季) also called Rong Huang (榮黃) an official in the state of Chu during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC).4: Chinese: Mandarin form of the surname 融 meaning ‘belching’ in ancient Chinese said to be traced back to Zhu Rong (祝融) a legendary figure in charge of fire who was said to be a descendant of the legendary king Zhuanxu (traditional dates: 2514–2437 BC).
Salmo : 1: Muslim (Syria): from a pet form of the personal name Salmān (see Salman) or Sulaimān (see Suleiman).2: Hispanic (Philippines): nickname from Spanish salmo ‘psalm’ a reference to the Biblical sacred song or hymn.
Sha : 1: Chinese: Mandarin or Cantonese form of the surname 沙 meaning ‘sand’ in Chinese: (i) from Sha (沙) the name of an ancient state (located in Hebei province). (ii) from the placename Sha (沙) the name of a fief (located in Henan province) granted to descendants of Song Weizi the founder of the state of Song during the Western Zhou dynasty (1046–771 BC). (iii) shortened form of the compound surnames Sha Sui (沙隨) and Gong Sha (公沙) both of which can be traced back to the ancient state of Sha Sui (沙隨) (located in Henan province) during the Western Zhou dynasty (1046–771 BC) which was annexed by the state of Song during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC). (iv) said to be borne by descendants of the Su Sha (夙沙) family an ancient family which was already established prior to the Xia dynasty (2070–1600 BC). (v) one of the major surnames of the state of Bai Ji (located in present-day Korean Peninsula).2: Chinese: variant Romanization of the surname 謝 see Xie 1.3: Indian Bangladeshi and Pakistani: variant of Shah.4: Burmese (Karen): from a rare variant of the personal name Sar ‘star’.
Shi : Chinese:: 1: Mandarin form of the surname 石 meaning ‘stone’ in Chinese: (i) from the first element of the personal name Shi Que (石碏) a highly esteemed official in the state of Wey during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC). (ii) from one of the 'Nine Sogdian Surnames’ also known as ‘nine surnames of Zhaowu’ because their ancestors came from Zhaowu an ancient city in present-day Gansu province in northwestern China. During the Sui and Tang dynasties (581–987 AD) there were nine Sogdian states in Central Asia one of which was called Shi (石) in Chinese. Between 649 and 655 AD these states submitted to Emperor Gaozong of Tang (628 - 683 AD). The natives and their descendants from the state of Shi (石) in China acquired the surname Shi (石). (iii) from the second element of the personal name Zi Shi (子石) style name of a prince of the state of Zheng and another prince of the state of Song during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC). (iv) from the second element of the personal name Bo Shi (伯石) style name of an official in the state of Jin during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC). (v) adopted as a surname by the Wu Shi Lan (烏石蘭) family from the Xianbei ethnic group in northern China during the Northern Wei dynasty (386–534 AD). (vi) adopted in place of several other surnames including Zhang (張) Ran (冉) and Lou (婁).2: Mandarin form of the surname 史 meaning ‘history’ or ‘official historiographer’ in Chinese: (i) said to be borne by descendants of Cang Jie the official historiographer during the reign of the legendary Huang Di the ‘Yellow Emperor’ (c. 27th century BC). Cang Jie is said to have been the inventor of Chinese characters. (ii) from Shi (史) post name of an official in charge of recording historical events during the Western Zhou dynasty (1046–771 BC). The surname was subsequently adopted as a surname by descendants of official historiographers in many states during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC). (iii) from one of the 'Nine Sogdian Surnames’ also known as ‘nine surnames of Zhaowu’ because their ancestors came from Zhaowu an ancient city in present-day Gansu province in northwestern China. During the Sui and Tang dynasties (581–987 AD) there were nine Sogdian states in Central Asia one of which was called Shi (史) in Chinese. Between 649 and 655 AD these states submitted to Emperor Gaozong of Tang (628 - 683 AD). (iv) adopted as a surname by the A Shi Na (阿史那) family members of a Turkic tribe during the Tang dynasty (618–907 AD). (v) borne by descendants of Shi Ji Xian(史繼先) who was endowed with the surname Shi (史) by Emperor Suzong of Tang (reigned 756–762 AD).3: Mandarin form of the surname 施 meaning ‘give grant’ or ‘execute’ in Chinese: (i) from Shi (施) the name of an ancient state (probably located in Shandong or Hubei province) which existed during the Xia dynasty (2070–1600 BC). (ii) borne by the descendants of the Shang dynasty (1600–1046 BC). The Shi family was one of the seven clans of the Shang dynasty that were sent to the state of Wey after the annihilation of the Shang dynasty. (iii) from the first element of the personal name Shi Fu (施父) style name of Wei son of the Duke Hui of Lu (ruler of the state of Lu reigned 768–723 BC) Shi Fu was said to be good at music and later became a talented official in the state of Lu.4: Mandarin form of the surname 師 meaning ‘teacher musician’ or ‘leaders’ in ancient Chinese: (i) from Shi (師) the ancient appellation of official musicians whose descendants acquired Shi (師) as their surname. (ii) from the first element of the post name Shi Yin (師尹) an official post during the Western Zhou dynasty (1046–771 BC). (iii) adopted in place of the surname 尹 by Shi An Shi (師安石) an official who lived during the Jin dynasty (1115–1234 AD).5: Mandarin form of the surname 時 meaning ‘time hour’ in Chinese: (i) from the placename Shi (時) the name of a fief (probably located in present-day Henan province) granted to Lai an official in the state of Song during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC) a descendant of one of the royal families of the Shang dynasty (1600–1046 BC). (ii) from Shi (時) the name of an ancient state (located in Shandong province) which was annexed by the state of Chu. (iii) from the personal name Shi (時) style name of Shen Shu Shi (申叔時) an official who lived in the state of Chu at some time during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC).6: Mandarin form of the surname 釋 a simplified Chinese form referring to Siddhartha Gautama or Gautama Buddha the founder of Buddhism. This surname is mainly borne by the people who were introduced to or converted to Buddhism.7: Mandarin form of the surname 侍 meaning ‘serve’ in Chinese: (i) from part of the official post names Shi Zhong (侍中) and Chang Shi (常侍) official posts in charge of providing service for the emperors during the Han dynasty (206 BC–220 AD). (ii) shortened form of the Chinese compound surname Shi-Qi (侍其).8: variant Romanization of the surname 司 see Si 1.9: variant Romanization of the surname 佘 see She 1.
Sok : 1: Korean (Sŏk): there are three Chinese characters for this surname. One of these is so rare that it does not warrant treatment here. One of the remaining two characters is used by the Wŏlsŏng (or Kyŏngju) Sŏk clan which provided the Shilla kingdom with eight of its 56 kings. Nowadays most members of this clan live in South Korea's Ch’ungch’ŏng South province Chŏlla North province and in the old Shilla capital Kyŏngju located in Kyŏngsang North province. There are two clans which use the remaining Sŏk character. The Haeju Sŏk clan's founding ancestor Sŏk Sŏng was of Chinese extraction and held an important government post in Ming China. When Hideyoshi led the Japanese in an attack against Korea in 1592 Sŏk Sŏng was part of the Ming forces sent to help defend Korea. Sŏng distinguished himself on the battlefield and his son Sŏk Tam later migrated to Korea and was given a royal land grant in the Haeju area. The Ch’ungju Sŏk clan's founding ancestor was Sŏk In an important Koryŏ general who lived in the late 10th century. Sŏk is a fairly common surname and can be found throughout the Korean peninsula. Compare Seok and Suk 2.2: Cambodian: written សុខ from a Khmer word of Sanskrit and Pali origin meaning e.g. ‘happy’ and ‘joy pleasure’.3: Cambodian: written សុខ of Chinese origin from 索 see Suo and compare 5 below.4: Chinese: variant Romanization of the surname 束 see Shu 2.5: Chinese: Cantonese form of the surname 索 see Suo.6: Chinese: Cantonese form of the surnames 宿 and 粟 see Su 2 and 3.7: Slovenian: probably a nickname for a strong man from archaic sok ‘knar’. Compare Sock.8: Sorbian: nickname or metonymic occupational name from sok ‘lentil’. This surname is found mainly in Germanized forms Sock and Socke.
Songhurst : from Song Hurst in Ewhurst (Surrey) which is recorded as Songhurst in 1332 or Songhurst Farm in Wisborough Green (Sussex). The place-names appear to derive from Old English sang ‘song singing’ perhaps referring to birds + hyrst ‘hillock copse’.
Sui : Chinese:: 1: Mandarin form of the surname 隋: (i) borne by descendants of Sui Yu (隋昱) an official who lived during the reign of Emperor Guangwu of Han (5 BC–57 AD). (ii) adopted in place of another Chinese surname Sui (隨) sharing the same pronunciation with the Chinese character Sui (隋).2: Mandarin form of the surname 眭: from the placename Sui (眭) the name of a fief (located in Shaanxi province) granted to an official in the state of Jin during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC).3: Mandarin form of the surname 睢 meaning ‘stare at’ in Chinese: from the placename Sui (睢) the name of a fief (located in Suixian in present-day Henan province) granted to an official in the state of Song during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC) and later to an official in the state of Zhao during Warring States Period (475– 221 BC).4: Cantonese form of the surname 帥 see Shuai.5: Cantonese form of the surnames 水 and 稅 see Shui 1 and 2.6: Cantonese form of the surnames 胥 and 須 see Xu 3 and 5.7: variant Romanization of the surname 徐 See Xu 1.8: variant Romanization of the surname 蘇 see Su 1.
Sung : 1: Chinese: variant Mandarin or Cantonese Romanization of the surnames 宋 and 松 see Song 3 and 4.2: Chinese: Cantonese form of the surname 崇 see Chong 2.3: Chinese: variant Romanization of the surname 沈 see Shen 1.4: Chinese: variant Romanization of the surname 成 see Cheng 2.5: Korean: variant of Sŏng (see Song 2).
Tang : 1: Chinese: Mandarin form of the surname 湯 meaning ‘soup’ or ‘hot water’ in Chinese: (i) from part of the title of Cheng Tang (成湯) a title of Lü founder of the Shang dynasty (1600–1046 BC). (ii) from the personal name of Tang Yue (湯悅) who changed his original surname Yin (殷) to Tang (湯) during the Northern Song dynasty (960–1127 AD).2: Chinese: Mandarin form of the surname 唐 meaning ‘boastful’ or ‘in vain’ in ancient Chinese: (i) from the placename Tang (唐) the name of a fief (located in present-day Shanxi province) which is said to have belonged to the legendary Emperor Yao (c. 24th century BC). The state of Tang was annexed by King Cheng of Zhou (reigned 1042–1021 BC). The original inhabitants migrated to the state of Du (located in present-day Shaanxi province) adopting 唐 as their surname. Later King Cheng of Zhou granted the fiefdom of Tang to Shu Yu also known as Tang Shu Yu (Shu Yu of Tang) the third son of King Wu of Zhou (c. 1087–1043 BC). The fiefdom was eventually annexed by the state of Chu in 505 BC. Some of his descendants too inherited 唐 the name of the fief as their surname. (ii) in some families this surname can be traced back to a minority ethnic group in the Eastern Han dynasty (25–220 AD) in southwestern China.3: Chinese: Cantonese form of the surname 鄧 see Deng.4: Chinese: Cantonese form of the surname 滕 see Teng 1.5: Chinese: alternative Mandarin form of the surname 黨 see Dang 1.6: Chinese: Hokkien form of the surname 董 see Dong 1.7: Chinese: Teochew or Hokkien form of the surname 陳 see Chen 1.8: Chinese: variant Romanization of the surname 鄭 based on its Hokchew (Fuzhou) pronunciation a Min dialect spoken in the provincial capital of Fujian province see Zheng 1.9: Vietnamese (Tăng): from the Chinese surname 曾 see Zeng.10: Southeast Asian (Iu Mien): from the name of the Tang clan of the Iu Mien people from Laos. Compare Saetern.11: Korean: only one Chinese character is used in Korean for the surname Tang and the Miryang is the only Tang clan. Its founding ancestor Tang Sŏng migrated from Yüan China some time during the latter part of the 14th century. This is a comparatively rare surname in Korea.12: Norwegian: habitational name from the farm name Tang in Sogn most likely of the same origin as Tangen. Compare Thang 5.
Thrush : English: nickname from Middle English thruss(h)e thrusche ‘thrush’ (Old English thrysce) probably denoting a cheerful person the bird being noted for its cheerful song.
Wan : 1: Chinese: Mandarin form of the surname 萬 which means ‘ten thousand’ literally or ‘very great number’ figuratively: (i) from the personal name of Bi Wan (畢萬) an official in the state of Jin (located in present-day Shanxi province). He was said to be a descendant of Bi Gong Gao (known as Duke of Bi) the 15th son of the virtuous King Wen of Zhou (reined 1152–1056 BC). Bi Wan was later granted the fiefdom of Wei (魏) which in 403 BC became the state of Wei (located in present-day Shanxi Shaanxi Henan and Hebei provinces). Some of his descendants adopted Wei (魏) as their surname while others inherited 萬 (Wan) his personal name as their surname. (ii) from the personal name Wan (萬) style name of Rui Bo (芮伯 the Earl of Rui) an official of the Western Zhou dynasty (1046–771 BC) who was granted the fief Rui (located in Ruicheng in Shaanxi province). Some of his descendants inherited Rui (芮) the name of the fief as their surname while others inherited 萬 (Wan) his style name as their surname. (iii) from the placename Wan (萬) the name of a fief (located in Juxian in Shandong province) granted during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC) to an official in the ancient state of Chu. (iv) from the first element of the name of the Wan Si (萬俟) family who lived in the downstream areas of the Yellow River during the Northern Qi dynasty (550–577 AD). (v) from the second element of the name of the Tu Wan (吐萬) family who are members of the Xianbei ethnic group in northern China.2: Chinese: Mandarin form of the surname 完 meaning ‘complete’ in Chinese: (i) said to be borne by the descendants of Huan Zhui a grandson of the Duke Huan of Song (ruler of the state of Song died 651 BC). (ii) from Wan (完) the name of Qu Wan (屈完) an official in the state of Chu during the Spring and Autumn Period (770–476 BC). (iii) shortened form of the compound surname Wan-Yan (完顔) a surname from minority ethnic groups such as Juchen ethnic group in ancient northern China.3: Chinese: Mandarin form of the surname 宛 meaning ‘tortuous’ in Chinese: (i) said to be traced back to Wan Hua (宛華) and Wan Qu (宛朐) two legendary figures prior to the Xia dynasty (2070–1600 BC). (ii) from the placename Wan (宛) the name of a fief (located in present-day Henan province) in the state of Chu during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC). Also this surname had been recorded in the state of Qi Jin and Zheng during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC).4: Chinese: Cantonese form of the surname 尹 see Yin 2.5: Chinese: Cantonese form of the surname 溫 see Wen 1.6: Chinese: Cantonese form of the surnames 雲 and 惲 see Yun 2 and 5.7: Chinese: Cantonese form of the surname 宦 see Huan 1.8: Chinese: variant Romanization of the surname 袁 see Yuan 1.9: Chinese: variant Romanization of the surname 阮 see Ruan 3.10: Vietnamese: possibly a variant of Van.11: Scottish: variant of Wann.
Wang : 1: Chinese: Mandarin form of the surname 王 meaning ‘king’ or ‘royal’: (i) in some families the surname is traced back to Crown Prince Jin son of King Ling of Zhou (died 545 BC) of the Eastern Zhou dynasty. Jin incurred his father's displeasure (for criticizing plans to divert the Gu and Luo rivers) and was disinherited. His descendants adopted the surname Wang (王) in commemoration of his royal status. (ii) in other cases the name is traced back to Tian He (died around 384 BC) who usurped the throne of the state of Qi in 391 BC. After the annihilation of Qi by the state of Qin in 221 BC some descendants of nobles of Qi adopted the surname Wang (王) in memory of the royal status of their ancestors. (iii) the surname is also borne by descendants of royal families in certain other states for example Wei during the Warring States Period (475–221 BC). (iv) in other families the surname is traced back to Bi Gan who was murdered by his nephew Zhou last king of the Shan dynasty (1600–1046 BC). Descendants of Bi Gan also adopted the surname Wang (王). (v) the surname has also been adopted by some families of minority ethnic groups for example the Ke Yi (可頤) families of the Xianbei ethnic group. (vi) in some families this surname is traced back to ancestors who either were endowed with it by an emperor or changed their original surname claiming royal status.2: Chinese: Mandarin form of the surname 汪 a word applied to water and meaning both ‘deep’ and ‘puddle’ in ancient Chinese: (i) shortened form of Wang Mang (汪芒) also called Wang Wang (汪罔) the name of a state in present-day Wukang in Zhejiang province. After the extinction of this state at an uncertain date its inhabitants fled to other places and the surname was shortened to Wang (汪). (ii) for some families the surname is traced back to the royal family of the state of Lu (1024 BC–256 BC) during the Warring States Period. The 21st ruler of the state of Lu the Duke Cheng of Lu endowed one of his sons (Man) with lands in Wang (in present-day Shandong province) where they adopted the surname Wang. (iii) from the name of Wang Chuxiu (汪處休). In the earlier Song Dynasty (960–1127 AD) in Quanzhou in Fujian province Weng Qiandu had six sons and gave different surnames to each of them. His sixth son Weng Chuxiu was given the surname Wang. He and his brothers all became important officials known as ‘the Six Laureates’.3: Chinese: variant Romanization of the surname 黃 see Huang 1.4: Chinese: Cantonese form of the surname 弘 see Hong 2.5: Chinese: variant Romanization of the surname 袁 possibly based on its Teochew or Hakka pronunciations see Yuan 1.6: Korean: written 왕 in Chinese characters 王 meaning ‘king’. This is the only Chinese character for the surname Wang. Some sources indicate that there are fifteen Wang clans but only two can be identified: the Kaesŏng Wang clan and the Chenam Wang clan. The Kaesŏng Wang clan which originated in China ruled the Korean peninsula for almost five hundred years as the ruling dynasty of the Koryŏ period (918–1392). There are some indications that the Kaesŏng Wang clan was present in the ancient Chosŏn Kingdom (c. 194 BC). When the Chŏnju Yi clan seized power in 1392 and established the Chosŏn kingdom many of the members of the Kaesŏng Wang clan changed their names and went into hiding to avoid being persecuted by the new ruling dynasty. The Chenam Wang clan is also of Chinese origin. The Chenam Wang clan is much smaller than the Kaesŏng Wang clan.7: Southeast Asian (Hmong): variant of Vang 1.8: German and Dutch: from Middle German wang Middle Dutch waenge literally ‘cheek’ but also in southern German having the transferred sense ‘grassy slope’ or ‘field of grass’. It was thus either a topographic name for someone who lived on sloping grassland or a descriptive nickname for someone with noticeable cheeks (for example round or rosy).9: Jewish (Ashkenazic): either a borrowing of the German name (see 8 above) or else a habitational name for a Jew from Hungary (compare Russian Vengria ‘Hungary’).10: Norwegian and Danish; Swedish (Wång): variant of Vang 3 or Vång (see Vang 4).
Wei : Chinese:: 1: Mandarin form of the surname 魏 a term referring to ‘the buildings at either side of the gates of the royal palace’ in ancient Chinese: (i) from Wei (魏) originally the name of a fief (located in Ruicheng in Shanxi province) granted to Bi Wan an official in the state of Jin. In 403 BC the state of Jin was split into three one of which was the state of Wei (魏) established by Wei Huan Zi (魏桓子). After this state was annexed by the state of Qin in 225 BC its name was adopted by some people as a surname. (ii) adopted in place of the surname Mi (羋) by Wei Ran (魏冉) an official who lived in the state of Qin during the Warring States period (475–221 BC). (iii) borne by descendants of Wei Liao Weng (魏了翁) a scholar during the Southern Song dynasty (1127–1279 AD) who changed his original name Gao (高) to his uncle's surname Wei (魏).2: Mandarin form of the surname 危 meaning ‘danger’ or ‘towering’ in Chinese: (i) from the second element of the placename San Wei (三危) (located in Gansu province) to which people from an ancient state called San Miao (located in present-day Hunan Hubei and Jiangxi province) are said to have migrated during the reign of the legendary Emperor Shun (c. 23rd century BC). (ii) borne by descendants of Wei Su (危素) a scholar during the Ming dynasty (1368–1644 AD) who changed his original surname Huang to Wei (危).3: Mandarin form of the surname 韋 meaning ‘leather’ in ancient Chinese: (i) from the second element of the placename Shi Wei (豕韋) the name of an ancient state (located in Henan province) said to have originally been granted to Yuan Zhe by Shao Kang the sixth king of the Xia dynasty (2070–1600 BC). (ii) possibly from Wei (韋) as a title of an official in charge of the manufacture of leather goods. (iii) traced back to the Wei (韋) family in the ancient state of Shu Le (located in present-day Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region) during the Western Han dynasty (206 BC–25 AD). (iv) said to be borne by descendants of Han Xin (韓信) a revered official in the early Western Han dynasty (206 BC–25 AD) who was killed on the orders of Empress Lü (wife of Emperor Gaozu of Han). His descendants fled to southern Canton (present-day Guangdong province and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region) and simplified their surname Han (韓) to Wei (韋) in order to avoid persecution. (v) borne by descendants of Huan Yan Fan who was endowed with the surname Wei (韋) by Emperor Zhongzong of Tang (656–710 AD) as a token of appreciation.4: Mandarin form of the surname 衛 meaning ‘defend guard’ in Chinese: (i) from Wei/Wey (衛) the name of a state (located in Henan province) granted to Kang Shu also known as Wey Kang Shu (衛康叔 Kang Shu of Wey) the 9th son of King Wen of Zhou (1152–1056 BC). After it was annexed by the state of Qin during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC) it was adopted as the surname by its original inhabitants. (ii) traced back to the Wei (衛) family from the Xianbei ethnic group in northern China.5: Mandarin form of the surname 位 meaning ‘position’ in Chinese: said to be traced back to Wei Shi (位侍) the name of a king of Yutian (also known as Kingdom of Khotan an ancient Buddhist kingdom located in present-day Xinjiang Uyghur autonomous region).6: Mandarin form of the surname 尉 (also pronounced as Yu in Mandarin see Yu 12) the name of the official title of prison wardens in ancient China said to be borne by the descendants of prison wardens in ancient China.7: Mandarin form of the surname 隗 (also pronounced as Kui in Mandarin): (i) a surname from the state of Di (possibly located in Shanxi province) during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC). (ii) a surname from the Tangut ethnic group in ancient northwestern China.
Wen : Chinese:: 1: Mandarin form of the surname 溫 meaning ‘warm’ in Chinese: (i) from Wen (溫) the name of an ancient state during the Western Zhou dynasty (1046–771 BC). During the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC) this state was annexed by the state of Di and the prince of Wen fled to the state of Wey (located around present-day Hebi and Xinxiang in Henan province). His descendants acquired 溫 the name of their original state as their surname. (ii) from the placename Wen (溫) the name of a fief granted to Wen Ji (溫季) an official in the state of Jin (located mainly in present-day Shanxi province) during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC). (iii) from the Chi Wen (叱溫) Wen Pen (溫盆) and Wen Gu (溫孤) families of the Xianbei ethnic group in northern China. (iv) from the personal name of Wen Sheng (溫昇) who went into exile and changed his original surname Liu (劉) to Wen 溫 after his father Liu Yicong (劉易從) an official in the Tang dynasty (618–907 AD) suffered persecution and death.2: Mandarin form of the surname 文 meaning ‘literary writing’ or ‘culture’ in Chinese: (i) from Wen (文) the posthumous title of King Wen of Zhou (1152–1056 BC) father of King Wu of Zhou (c. 1187–1043 BC) who established the Western Zhou dynasty (1046–771 BC). (ii) adopted in place of another Chinese surname Jing (敬 see Jing 5). The latter was part of the name of two royal personages Emperor Gaozu of Later Jin (called Shi Jingtang 石敬瑭 892–942 AD) and Emperor Yizu of Song (called Zhao Jing 趙敬). The latter was the grandfather of Zhao Kuang Ying who established the Northern Song dynasty (927–976 AD). Since it was taboo in ancient China to bear the name of a member of the imperial family people with the surname 敬 (Jing) had to change it to 文 (Wen). (iii) from Wen (文) personal name of Tian Wen also called Meng Chang Jun (Lord Meng Chang) a famous prince of the state of Qi known as one of ‘the four princes’ during the Warring States period (475–221 BC). (iv) from the personal name Wen Zi (文子) a general who lived in the state of Wey during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC). (v) from the personal name Wen Shu (文叔) also known as Xu Wen Shu (許文叔) founder of the state of Xu (located in present-day Henan province) during the Western Zhou dynasty (1046–771 BC).3: Mandarin form of the surname 聞 meaning ‘well-known famous’ in written Chinese: shortened form of the compound surname Wen-Ren (聞人) the title of Shao Zheng Mao a scholar who lived in the state of Lu during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC) who strongly opposed Confucius’ ideas and who was murdered when Confucius worked as prime minister in the state of Lu. The descendants of Shao Zheng Mao inherited his title 聞人 as their surname. After the Northern Song dynasty (960–1127 AD) some people shortened the surname to 聞.
Wo : Chinese:: 1: Mandarin form of the surname 沃 meaning ‘fertile’ in Chinese: (i) said to be traced back to Wo Ding (沃丁) the name of a son of the fourth king Tai Jia during the Shang dynasty (1600–1046 BC). (ii) from the placename Wo (沃) the name of a county (located in Beijing) during the Tang dynasty (618–907 AD). (iii) said to be borne by some descendants of Song Weizi founder of the state of Song (established in around 11th century BC).2: Cantonese form of the surname 和 see He 3.3: variant Romanization of the surnames 吳 and 武 see Wu 1 and 3.
Wu : Chinese:: 1: Mandarin form of the surname 吳 meaning ‘big large’ in ancient Chinese: (i) from Wu (吳) the name of a state (located in present-day Jiangsu province) which was granted to Tai Bo the first son of King Tai of Zhou (died c. 1146 BC). After it was annexed by the state of Yue in 473 BC people from the state adopted 吳 (Wu) as their surname. (ii) from the placename Yu (虞) (located in present-day Shanxi province). Because Yu (虞) had a similar pronunciation to that of Wu (吳) in ancient Chinese some people acquired Wu (吳) instead of Yu (虞) as their surname.2: Mandarin form of the surname 伍 meaning ‘five’ in Chinese: (i) from the personal name of Wu Xu (伍胥) an official during the reign of the legendary Huang Di the ‘Yellow Emperor’ (c. 27th century BC). (ii) from the personal name of Wu Can (伍參) an official in the state of Chu during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC).3: Mandarin form of the surname 武 meaning ‘military’ or ‘martial arts’ in Chinese: (i) from Wu Luo (武羅) which is said to be either the name of an official or that of an ancient state (in present-day Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region) during the Xia dynasty (2070–1600 BC). (ii) from the personal name of Wu Ding (武丁) (died 1192 BC) king of the Shang dynasty (1600–1046 BC). (iii) from the personal name of Ji Wu (姬武) son of King Ping of Zhou (died 720 BC). (iv) from Wu (武) the posthumous title of the Duke Wu of Song (ruler of the state of Song reigned 765–748 BC).4: Mandarin form of the surname 巫 meaning ‘wizard witch’ in Chinese: (i) from the personal name of Wu Peng (巫彭) a doctor during the reign of the legendary Huang Di the ‘Yellow Emperor’ (c. 27th century BC). (ii) from the personal name of Wu Xian (巫鹹) and Wu Xian (巫賢) officials during the Shang dynasty (1600–1046 BC). (iii) from the occupational term Wu (巫) denoting soothsayers astrologists doctors or wizards in ancient China.5: Mandarin or Cantonese form of the surname 鄔: (i) from the placename Wu (鄔) a fief (in present-day Henan province) which was given to Qiu Yan the fourth son of Lu Zhong (said to be a descendant of the legendary Huang Di the ‘Yellow Emperor’ c. 27th century BC). (ii) from Wu (鄔) the name of a fief (located in present-day Shanxi province) which was granted to Wu Zang (鄔臧) an official in the state of Jin (located in present-day Shanxi province) during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC).6: Mandarin form of the surname 毋 meaning ‘no’ in ancient Chinese: (i) said to be borne by the descendants of Wu Ju (毋句) said to be the inventor of the sounding stone (or Qing) a musical instrument in ancient China. (ii) borne by the descendants of the royal families in the state of Song during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC). (iii) shortened form of compound Chinese surname Wu-Qiu (毋邱) the name of a fief in the state of Qi granted to a brother of King Xuan of Qi (ruler of the state of Qi died 301 BC) during Warring States Period (475– 221 BC). (iv) a surname from minority ethnic groups in ancient southwestern China.7: Mandarin form of the surname 烏 meaning ‘black’ in Chinese: (i) said to be from the first element of Wu Niao (烏鳥 literally meaning ‘black bird’) the name of a legendary official post prior to the Xia dynasty (2070–1600 BC). (ii) from the first element of the placename Wu Cheng (烏程) (located in present-day Zhejiang province) inhabited by the descendants of Gou Jian (died 465 BC) ruler of the state of Yue. (iii) shortened form of Wu-Huan (烏桓) a surname derived from the name of an ethnic group in northern China. (iv) adopted as a Han Chinese surname by the Wu Shi Lan (烏石蘭) family from the Xianbei ethnic group in northern China during the Northern Wei dynasty (386–534 AD) and by other minority ethnic groups in ancient northern China.8: Mandarin form of the surname 午 meaning ‘noon’ in Chinese: from Wu (午) personal name of Zi Geng (died 552 BC) prince of the state of Chu during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC).9: Mandarin form of the surname 仵 meaning ‘to be equal’ to or ‘to violate’ in ancient Chinese: borne by some descendants of the nobles in the state of Chu during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC) possibly adopted in place of other Chinese surnames.10: Mandarin form of the surname 吾 meaning 'I' in ancient Chinese: from the second element of Kun Wu (昆吾) the name of a descendant of the legendary Huang Di the ‘Yellow Emperor’ (c. 27th century BC). Kun Wu was said to excel at making cermatics and bronze vessels and establish a state (said to be located in present-day Henan province) also named Kun Wu during the Xia dynasty (2070–1600 BC).11: Cantonese form of the surname 胡 see Hu 1.12: Hokkien form of the Chinese surname 余 see Yu 1.
Xiang : Chinese:: 1: Mandarin form of the surname 向 meaning ‘direction’ or ‘towards’ in Chinese: (i) from Xiang (向) the name of an ancient state (located in Shandong province) annihilated in the early Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC). (ii) from Xiang (向) the name of an ancient state (located in Henan province) annihilated in the late the Western Zhou dynasty (1046–771 BC). (iii) from the first element of the personal name Xiang Fu (向父) style name of Bi son of the Duke Huan of Song (ruler of the state of Song died in 651 BC).2: Mandarin form of the surname 項 meaning ‘nape’ in ancient Chinese: from Xiang (項) the name of an ancient state (in present-day Xiangcheng in Henan province) said to have been annexed by the state of Qi or the state of Lu in 647 BC.3: Mandarin form of the surname 相: (i) from the placename Xiang (相) a city in the early Shang dynasty (1600 –1046 BC). (ii) from the personal name of Xiang Tu (相土) said to be the ancestor of the royal family of the Shang dynasty (1600 –1046 BC). (iii) traced back to some minority ethnic groups in southwestern China.4: Mandarin form of the surname 香 meaning ‘fragrant’ in Chinese: (i) said to be borne by descendants of Xiang Ju (香居) an official during the reign of King Xuan of Qi (ruler of the state of Qi died in 301 BC). (ii) from Xiang (香) the name of an ancient state in northwestern China and Central Asia. (iii) said to have been adopted as a surname by certain families in place of the Chinese surname Zha (查) in order to escape from persecution.
Xiao : Chinese: Mandarin form of the surname 蕭 also written as 肖 meaning ‘desolate dreary’ in Chinese: (i) borne by the descendants of the Shang dynasty (1600–1046 BC).The Xiao family was one of the six clans of the Shang dynasty that were sent to the state of Lu after the annihilation of the Shang dynasty. (ii) from Xiao (蕭) the name of a state (located in Xiaoxian in Anhui province) that was granted to Daxin a noble in the state of Song because of his contributions to crushing rebellions. After it was annexed by the state of Chu in 597 BC the name of the state was adopted by some people as a surname. (iii) said to be borne by descendants of Bo Yi an official who lived during the reign of the legendary Emperor Shun (c. 23rd century BC).
Xiu : Chinese:: 1: Mandarin form of the surname 修 meaning ‘long’ or ‘good’ in ancient Chinese: said to be traced back to Xiu (修) the name of a son of the legendary king Shao Hao (c. 26th century BC).2: Mandarin form of the surname 秀 meaning ‘elegant’ in Chinese: (i) said to be traced back to Xiu Lao (秀老) an official in the state of Song during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC). (ii) possible derived from the title Xiu Cai (秀才 literally meaning ‘distinguished talent’) in ancient China referring to a person who passed the county level imperial exam.
Xuan : Chinese:: 1: Mandarin form of the surname 宣: (i) from Xuan (宣) posthumous title of King Xuan of Zhou (reigned 827–782 BC) one of the kings of the Western Zhou dynasty (1046–771 BC). (ii) from Xuan (宣) posthumous title of the Duke Xuan of Song (the 13th ruler of the state of Song reigned 747–729 BC). (iii) from Xuan Bo (宣伯 'Earl Xuan') posthumous title of Shusun Qiaoru an official in the state of Lu (located mainly in present-day Shandong province) during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC). In ancient Chinese 宣 denoted the grand hall of an imperial palace; it was also used to refer to imperial edicts and to an very rare and valuable kind of jade. (Jade is regarded in Chinese culture as an auspicious material that can bring good luck and ward off evil.) These meanings might explain why this Chinese character was sometimes used as a posthumous title by members of royal families.2: Mandarin form of the surname 禤: possibly traced back to Xuan Chunwang (禤纯旺) an official in the Eastern Han dynasty (25–220 AD).This surname is found mainly in Guangdong Guangxi and Hong Kong.3: Mandarin form of the surname 玄 meaning ‘mysterious’ in Chinese: (i) said to be traced back to Xuan Xiao (玄霄) son of the legendary emperor Huang Di the ‘Yellow Emperor’ (c. 27th century BC). (ii) said to be traced back to Xuan Shou (玄壽) an official during the reign of the legendary emperor Huang Di the ‘Yellow Emperor’ (c. 27th century BC). (iii) a Korean surname.4: Mandarin form of the surname 軒 probably derived from the first element of Xuan Yuan (軒轅) personal name of the legendary emperor Huang Di the ‘Yellow Emperor’ (c. 27th century BC).
Yo : 1: Korean (Yŏ): there are two Chinese characters for this surname. Only one of them is used by a clan large enough to warrant treatment here. The Ŭryŏng Yŏ clan's founding ancestor is said to have been Yŏ Sŏn-jae a Song Chinese government officer who migrated from China to Koryŏ. Although members of the Yŏn clan can be found throughout the Korean peninsula they are concentrated in the Kyŏngsang provinces. Compare Yeo 2 and Yoh 1.2: Chinese: Teochew Hokkien and Taiwanese form of the surnames 楊 (see Yang 1) and 姚 (see Yao 1).3: Chinese: variant of Yue and You.
Yu : 1: Chinese: Mandarin and Cantonese form of the surname 余 (or rarely written as 餘) meaning ‘I’ in ancient Chinese: (i) from the second element of the personal name You Yu (由余) the name of a prime minister in the state of Qin during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC). (ii) from Yu (余) the name of a small state during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC). (iii) said to be borne by descendants of Xia Yu the first king of the Xia dynasty (2070–1600 BC).2: Chinese: Mandarin and Cantonese form of the surname 于 (meaning ‘go’ in ancient Chinese) or 於 (often simplified as 于 in Mainland China meaning ‘depend on’ in ancient Chinese): (i) simplified form of the Chinese character 邘 the name of an ancient state (located in Qinyang in Henan province) which was granted to Yu Shu (邘叔) the third son of King Wen of Zhou (1152–1056 BC). After it was annexed by the state of Zheng during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC) the Chinese character 邘 (pronounced Yu) was simplified to (于) and adopted as a surname. (ii) adopted as a surname by the Wan Niu Yu (萬忸于) family from the Xianbei ethnic group in northern China during the Northern Wei dynasty (386–534 AD). (iii) adopted in place of the Chinese compound surname Chun-Yu (淳于) because the first element of the surname Chun happened to share the same pronunciation with the personal name of the emperor Li Chun also known as Emperor Xianzong of Tang (778–820 AD) which was taboo in ancient China. (iv) said to be traced back to Yu Ze (於則) who said to be the inventor of shoes an official the legendary Huang Di the ‘Yellow Emperor’ (c. 27th century BC). (v) from the second element of the placename Shang Yu (商於) in the state of Chu during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC).3: Chinese: Mandarin and Cantonese form of the surname 俞 meaning ‘assent consent’ in ancient Chinese: (i) said to be traced back to Yu Fu (俞跗) a famous doctor during the reign of the legendary Huang Di the ‘Yellow Emperor’ (c. 27th century BC). (ii) said to be traced back to the noble families in the state of Zheng and Chu during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC).4: Chinese: Mandarin and Cantonese form of the surname 虞 referring to a kind of beast in ancient Chinese: from Yu (虞) the name of two ancient states. One is known as Dong Yu or Eastern Yu (located in Yucheng in Henan province) said to have been granted by Xia Yu the first king of the Xia dynasty (2070–1600 BC) to the son of the legendary Emperor Shun (c. 23rd century BC). The other is known as Xi Yu or Western Yu (located in Pinglu in Shanxi province) which was annexed by the state of Jin in 655 BC.5: Chinese: Mandarin and Cantonese form of the surname 庾 meaning ‘open-air granaries’ in Chinese: (i) from the second element of Zhang Yu (掌庾) literally meaning ‘in charge of open-air granaries’ the name of an official post during the reign of the legendary Emperor Yao (c. 24th century BC). (ii) from the first element of Yu Lin (庾廩) meaning ‘granaries’ the name of an official post during the Western Zhou dynasty (1046–771 BC). (iii) from Yu (庾) the name of an ancient state during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC).6: Chinese: Mandarin and Cantonese form of the surname 喻 meaning ‘explain’ or ‘analogy’ in Chinese: (i) adopted in place of another Chinese surname Yu (諭) after the Eastern Jin dynasty (316–420 AD). (ii) adopted in place of another Chinese surname pronounced Yu (渝) during the reign of Emperor Jing of Han (188–141 BC) because the Chinese character happened to be identical to the personal name of the wife of the emperor. It was taboo in ancient China to bear a name that was the same as that of a member of a royal or imperial family. (iii) from the name of Yu Chu (喻樗) who was granted the surname Yu (喻) during the Southern Song dynasty (1127–1279 AD).7: Chinese: Mandarin and Cantonese form of the surname 禹: (i) from the personal name Yu (禹) the name of the first king of the Xia dynasty (2070–1600 BC). (ii) simplified form of Chinese (鄅) the name of a small state (located in present-day Shandong province). After this state was annexed during the late Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC) the Chinese character Yu (鄅) was simplified to Yu (禹) and adopted as a surname.8: Chinese: Mandarin and Cantonese form of the surname 宇 meaning ‘house’ or ‘world’ in ancient Chinese: (i) borne by descendants of Shen Bo (the Earl of Shen) king of the state of Shen and uncle of King Xuan of Zhou (reigned 827–782 BC). (ii) shortened form of the compound surname Yu-Wen (宇文) a surname traced back to the Hun ethnic group in ancient northern China. (iii) traced back to the Tangut ethnic group in ancient northwestern China.9: Chinese: Mandarin form of the surname 郁 or 鬱 (often simplified to 郁 in Mainland China) meaning ‘luxuriant’ in Chinese: (i) from the placename Yu (郁) the name of an ancient state which later became a fief in the state of Wu (located in present-day Zhejiang and Jiangsu province). (ii) possibly from the first element of Yu Li (郁立) the name of a state (located in Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region) during the Western Han dynasty (206 BC–25 AD). (iii) possibly from the first element of the placenames Yu Yi (郁夷) (located in Shaanxi province) Yu Zhi (郁秩) (located in Shandong province) or Yu Zhi (郁致) (located in ancient northwestern China). (iv) said to be traced back to Yu Hua (鬱華) teacher of Xia Yu the first king of Xia dynasty (2070–1600 BC). (v) possibly evolving from another Chinese surname Yu (蔚).10: Chinese: Mandarin form of the surname 魚 meaning ‘fish’ in Chinese: (i) from the second element of Zi Yu (子魚) style name of a prince of the state of Song during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC). (ii) possibly from Yu (魚) the name of an ancient state (located in Sichuan province). (iii) traced back to some minority ethnic groups in southern China.11: Chinese: Mandarin form of the surname 玉 meaning ‘jade’ in Chinese: (i) borne by descendants of Gong Yu Dai (公玉帶) a person who lived during the reign of Emperor Wu of Han (156–87 BC) whose surname Gong Yu (公玉) was later shortened to Yu (玉). (ii) possibly from Yu Yin (玉尹 literally meaning ‘jade official’) title of an official in charge of the imperial jade seal in the state of Chu during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC).12: Chinese: Mandarin form of the surname 尉 (also pronounced as Wei in Mandarin see Wei 6): (i) borne by the descendants of Yu Zhi (尉止) an official in the state of Zheng during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC). (ii) shortened form of the compound surname Yu-Chi (尉遲) a surname from the Xianbei ethnic group.13: Chinese: Mandarin form of the surname 蔚: (i) from the placename (蔚) the name of a fief (located in present-day Shanxi province) during the Northern Wei dynasty (386–534 AD) and the Northern Zhou dynasty (557– 581 AD). (ii) possibly another written form of the Chinese surname Yu (尉).14: Chinese: Mandarin form of the surname 遇 meaning ‘encounter’ in Chinese: (i) from the placename Yu (遇) the name of a fief (located in present-day Shandong province) said to be granted to descendants of the legendary emperor Huang Di the ‘Yellow Emperor’ (c. 27th century BC). (ii) a surname from the Tangut ethnic group in ancient northwestern China.15: Chinese: Cantonese form of the surnames 茹 and 汝 see Ru 1 and 2.16: Chinese: alternative Mandarin form of the surnames 游 尤 由 and 有. Also Teochew or Hokkien form of the Chinese surnames 游 and 尤. See You 1-4.17: Chinese: variant Romanization of the surname 楊 see Yang 1.18: Chinese: variant Romanization of the surname 姚 based on its Cantonese pronunciation see Yao 1.19: Chinese: variant Romanization of the surname 饒 based on its Cantonese pronunciation see Rao 3.20: Korean: written 유 and 류 in Chinese characters 柳 meaning ‘willow’ 庾 meaning ‘stack of grain’ 劉 and 兪. Some sources indicate the existence of as many as 230 clans but only about twenty can be positively documented. Several of the clans are of Chinese origin. (i) The character 柳 is used by the largest Yu clan the Munhwa Yu founded by a man named Yu Ch’a Tal (柳車達). Ch’a's fifth great-grandfather had been involved in an attempt to overthrow the Shilla king. To avoid prosecution the ancestor fled to Munhwa and changed his surname first to that of his maternal grandmother Yang and then to Yu. Many years later Yu Ch’a Tal assisted Wang Kŏn to establish the Koryŏ Kingdom. Ch’a was recognized for his support and was rewarded accordingly. Ch’a's eldest son began again to use the Ch’a surname but his younger son continued to use Yu. The Munhwa Yu clan along with the Andong Kwŏn clan possesses one of the oldest extant clan genealogies in Korea. (ii) The character 庾 is borne by the descendants of Yu Kŏm-p’il (庾 黔弼) a general who fought during the founding of the Koryŏ kingdom in the early 10th century. He was enfeoffed with P’yŏngsan in Hwanghae province. Yu Kŏm-p’il’s fifth-generation descendant established the Musong Yu clan. (iii) The character 劉 is borne by the descendants of Yu Sŭng-bi (劉 承備) whose descendants established the Kangnŭng Yu clan in the 11th century. (iv) The character 兪 is borne by the descendants of Yu Sam-chae (兪 三宰) a Shilla official whose descendants settled in the Kigye area of Kyŏngsang North province. Compare Ryu Yoo 2 and You 8.
Yun : 1: Korean: written 윤 in Chinese characters 尹 meaning ‘govern’. Although some records indicate the existence of 149 clans only ten can be documented. Each descends from a different ancestor. The largest that of P’ap’yŏng descends from a man named Shin Tal. According to legend an old woman named Yun On who lived in P’ap’yŏng saw a rainbow over a lotus pond in the mountains. When she went to investigate she found a boy in a box. The boy had scales under his arm and seven dark birth marks on his body. She raised him as her own and gave him her name Yun. The oldest Yun clan that of Tamwŏn descends from a man named Shi-yŏng who lived during the reign of the Shilla King Muyŏl (654–661). Compare Yoon 1 and Youn.2: Chinese: Mandarin form of the surname 雲 from a word meaning ‘cloud’ in Chinese: (i) from Yun (鄖) the name of an ancient state (located in present-day Hubei province) which was annexed by the state of Chu during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC). The name of the state was adopted as a surname but a different character pronounced the same was chosen as the written form. (ii) from the Die Yun (牒雲) Xi Yun (悉雲) Shi Yun (是雲) and You Lian (宥連) families of the Xianbei ethnic group in northern China who acquired this surname during the Northern Wei dynasty (386–534 AD). (iii) shortened form of Jin Yun (縉雲) said to be the name of an official post during the reign of the legendary Huang Di the ‘Yellow Emperor’ (c. 27th century BC). (iv) adopted as a Han Chinese surname by some minority ethnic groups (such as Mongolians).3: Chinese: Mandarin form of the surnames 員 or 貟 (another written form of 員): (i) from Yun (鄖) the name of an ancient state which was annexed by the state of Chu (see 2 (i) above). (ii) from the personal name Yun (員) personal name of Wu Zixu (559–484 BC) a famous general in the state of Wu during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC). (iii) adopted as a surname by Liu Ning an official during the Song period (420 AD – 479 AD) in the Southern dynasties who changed his original surname Liu (劉) to Yun (員) in memory of his idol Wu Zixu (559–484 BC) a famous general in the state of Wu during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC).4: Chinese: Mandarin form of the surname 惲: (i) adopted in place of another Chinese surname Yun (鄆) which was traced back to name of a fief in the state of Lu during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC). (ii) from the second element of the personal name Xiong Yun (熊惲) style name of King Cheng of Chu (ruler of the state of Chu died 626 BC). (iii) from the personal name Yun (惲) personal name of Yang Yun (楊惲 died 54 BC) known as Marquis of Pingtong during the Western Han dynasty (206 BC–25 AD) who was killed by Emperor Xuan of Han (91–49 AD). After his death his descendants adopted his personal name Yun (惲) as the new surname in order to escape from the feud.5: Chinese: variant Romanization of the surnames 殷 尹 and 印 see Yin 1-3.6: Chinese: variant Romanization of the surname 溫 see Wen 1.7: Chinese: variant Romanization of the surname 嚴 see Yan 1.8: Chinese: variant Romanization of the surname 阮 see Ruan 3.9: Chinese: variant Romanization of the surname 楊 see Yang 1.10: Chinese: variant Romanization of the surname 甄 see Zhen.11: Probably also an Americanized form of Czech Jun ‘youthful agile’.
Zai : Chinese:: 1: Mandarin form of the surname 宰 meaning ‘control’ or ‘in charge of’ in ancient Chinese: from the second element of Tai Zai (太宰) the name of an official post in the Western Zhou dynasty (1046–771 BC) in charge of royal affairs.2: Mandarin form of the surname 載 meaning ‘year’ or ‘record’ in ancient Chinese: (i) from Zai (載) the name of an ancient state (located in present-day Henan province) annexed by the state of Song during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC). (ii) from the second element of the personal name Ji Zai (季載) style name of the 10th son of King Wen of Zhou (1152–1056 BC).3: Chinese: variant Romanization of the surname 謝 see Xie 1.
Zheng : Chinese:: 1: Mandarin form of the surname 鄭: from Zheng (鄭) the name of a state (located in part of present-day Shaanxi and Henan provinces) granted to You the younger brother of King Xuan of Zhou (reigned 827–782 BC). The state of Zheng was annexed by the state of Han (located in present-day Shaanxi and Henan provinces) during the Warring States period (475–221 BC).2: Mandarin form of the surname 正 meaning ‘upright just’ in Chinese: from the first element of the personal name Zheng Kao Fu (正考父) an official in the state of Song during the Spring and Autumn Period (770–476 BC) who was said to be an ancestor of Confucius.
Zhong : Chinese:: 1: Mandarin form of the surname 鐘 meaning ‘bell’ in Chinese: from the placename Zhong Li (鐘離) a fief (located in Fengyang in Anhui province or in Hanchuan in Hubei province) in the state of Chu which was granted to Zhou Li who fled to the state of Chu from the state of Jin during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC).2: Mandarin form of the surname 仲 meaning ‘second in order of birth’ in ancient Chinese: (i) from the personal names of Zhong Kan (仲堪) and Zhong Xiong (仲熊) two famous educators during the reign of the legendary Emperor Shun (c. 23rd century BC). (ii) from Gong Zhong (共仲) style name of Qing Fu a prince of the state of Lu (located mainly in present-day Shandong province) during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC). (iii) from the personal name of Zhong Hui (仲虺) an official during the Shang dynasty (1600–1046 BC). (iv) from Zhong Shan Fu (仲山甫) style name of a famous official during the reign of King Xuan of Zhong (reigned 827–791 BC). (v) from the personal name of Zhong Ji (仲幾) a noble in the state of Song (located in present-day Shangqiu in Henan province).3: Mandarin form of the surname 衷 meaning ‘sincere' in Chinese: said to be adopted in place of another Chinese surname 哀.
Zhu : Chinese:: 1: Mandarin form of the surname 朱 meaning ‘vermilion’ in Chinese: (i) from Zhu (邾) the name of an ancient state (located in Zouxian in Shandong province) granted to a noble called An by King Wu of Zhou (c. 1087–1043 BC). After this state was annexed by the state of Chu during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC) the Chinese character Zhu (邾) was simplified to Zhu (朱) and adopted as a surname. (ii) said to be borne by descendants of Zhu Hu (朱虎) or Zhu Biao (朱彪) officials who lived during the reign of the legendary Emperor Shun (c. 23rd century BC). (iii) said to be from the second element of the personal name of Dan Zhu (丹朱) style name of a son of the legendary Emperor Yao (c. 24th century BC). (iv) said to be borne by descendants of Song Weizi founder of the state of Song established in around 11th century BC. (v) shortened form of the Chinese compound surname Er-Zhu (爾朱) the ancient name of a river (currently called Zhu Jia Chuan located in northwestern Shanxi province). (vi) adopted as a surname by the Ke Zhuo Hun (渴濁渾) and Ke Zhu Hun (可朱渾) families from the Xianbei ethnic group in northern China during the Northern Wei dynasty (386–534 AD).2: Mandarin form of the surname 諸 meaning ‘various’ in Chinese: (i) from the placename Zhu (諸) the name of a fief (located in Zhucheng in Shandong province) in the state of Lu during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC). (ii) possibly from the second element of the personal name Wu Zhu (無諸) style name of the founder of Minyue Kingdom (202–110 BC). (iii) adopted in place of the compound surname Zhu-Ge (諸葛) by Zhu-Ge Shipeng who hid in the Kuaiji Hill after the Chen Qiao Mutiny during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms (907–960 AD).3: Mandarin form of the surname 祝 meaning ‘wizard prayers’ or ‘to pray’ in ancient Chinese: (i) from Zhu (祝) the name of an official post in ancient China in charge of chanting prayers during religious worship. (ii) from the placename Zhu (祝) the name of a fief (located in Shandong province) during the reign of King Wu of Zhou (c. 1087–1043 BC).4: Mandarin form of the surname 竺: (i) from the second element of Tian Zhu (天竺) the Chinese name of the ancient Indian Empire whose immigrants in China acquired Zhu (竺) as their surname. (ii) adopted in place of another homophonous Chinese surname Zhu (竹) by Zhu Yan (竹晏) during the Eastern Han dynasty (25–220 AD).5: Mandarin form of the surname 竹 meaning ‘bamboo’ in Chinese: (i) traced back to the state of Gu Zhu (孤竹) a small state (located in Hebei province) during the Shang dynasty (1600–1046 BC). (ii) said to be the surname of the leader of the state of Yelang (known as Marquis of Yelang) (located in present-day Guizhou province) during the Han dynasty (206 BC – 220 AD).
Zhuang : Chinese: Mandarin form of the surname 莊 meaning ‘solemnity’ in ancient Chinese: (i) from Zhuang (莊) posthumous title of Lü also known as King Zhuang of Chu (ruler of the state of Chu died 591 BC). (ii) from Zhuang (莊) posthumous title of the Duke Zhuang of Song (ruler of the state of Song reigned 710–692 BC). (iii) from Zhuang (莊) posthumous title of the Duke Zhuang of Lu (ruler of the state of Lu reigned 693–662 BC).
Zou : Chinese: Mandarin form of the surname 鄒: (i) from Zou (鄒) the name of a state (located in Zouxian in Shandong province) originally also called Zhu or Zhu Lou. After it was annexed by the state of Chu during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC) the name of the state was adopted as a surname. (ii) from the placename Zou (鄒) the name of a fief (thought to be located in Shanqiu in Henan province) granted to Zheng Kao Fu an official in the state of Song during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC). (iii) said to be adopted in place of another surname Zou (騶) borne by some descendants of Goujian (reigned 496–465 BC) ruler of the state of Yue during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC) (iv) shortened form of the compound Chinese surname Zou-Tu (鄒屠) the name of an ancient place (possibly located in Shandong province).
Source : DAFN2 : Dictionary of American Family Names 2nd edition, ©2022 by Patrick Hanks and Oxford University Press
FANBI : The Oxford Dictionary if Family Names in Britain and Ireland, ©2016, University of the West of England
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