Origin and popularity of the name ZHAO

Origin

Zhao : Chinese:: 1: Mandarin form of the surname 趙 originally meaning ‘walk quickly’ in ancient Chinese: (i) from the placename Zhao (趙) (located in present-day Zhaocheng in Shanxi Province) the name of a fief granted by King Mu of Zhou (reigned 976–922 BC) to Zao Fu a famous charioteer during the Western Zhou dynasty (1046–771 BC). In 403 BC a descendant of Zao Fu Zhao Ji (趙籍) established the state of Zhao (趙). (ii) also borne as a surname by members of certain minority ethnic groups in ancient China. (iii) traced back to Zhao Liang (趙梁) an official during the reign of the King Xia Jie (the last king of the Xia dynasty (2070–1600 BC)).2: Mandarin form of the surname 招 meaning ‘beckon gesture’ or ‘attract (bad things)’ in Chinese: (i) from the personal name Zhao (招) style name of the brother of the Duke Ai of Chen (ruler of the state of Chen reigned 568–534 BC) who was exiled to the state of Yue (located in present-day Jiangsu and Zhejiang province) because he assassinated the crown prince Yan Shi son of the Duke Ai of Chen. (ii) from the second element of the personal name Bu Zhao (步招) personal name of a person who lived in the state of Jin during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC).

Bu : 1: Norwegian: habitational name from a farm named with Old Norse bú ‘farmstead; livestock’ or búth ‘small house hut’.2: Chinese: Mandarin form of the surname 卜 meaning ‘astrologer fortune-teller diviner’ in ancient Chinese: (i) from the post names Bu Ren (卜人) or Bu Shi (卜筮) the title of astrologers who performed divination in ancient China. (ii) borne by descendants of the younger brother of Tai Kang (the 3rd king of the Xia dynasty (2070–1600 BC)). (iii) borne by descendants of Teng Shuxiu a son of the virtuous King Wen of Zhou (1152–1056 BC). (iv) adopted as a surname by the Xu Bu (須卜) family from the Huns during the Northern Wei dynasty (386–534 AD).3: Chinese: Mandarin form of the surname 步 meaning ‘steps’ in Chinese: (i) from the placename Bu (步) the name of a fief (located in Shanxi province) granted to an official in the state of Jin during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC). (ii) adopted as the surname by the Bu Lu Gen (步鹿根) family from the Xianbei ethnic group in northern China during the Northern Wei dynasty (386–534 AD).4: Chinese: Mandarin form of the surname 布 meaning ‘cloth’ in Chinese: (i) from the first element of the personal name Bu Zi (布子) an official who lived in the state of Zhao during the Warring States period (475–221 BC) who was noted for his gift of choosing strong horses. (ii) shortened form of the Chinese surname Gu-Bu (姑布). (iii) a surname of the king of the state of Kucha(or Kuche) a Buddhist kingdom in northwestern China during the Tang dynasty (618–907 AD). (iv) borne by descendants of some refugees at the end of the Qin dynasty (221–206 BC) who fled to southern China and changed their original surnames to Bu (布) in a wish for a good life with good clothing.5: Chinese: Mandarin form of the surname 補 meaning ‘supplement’ in Chinese: from Bu (補) the name of an ancient state (possibly located in present-day Henan province) annexed by the state of Zheng during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC).6: Chinese: Teochew form of the surname 巫 see Wu 4.

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).

Che : 1: Chinese: Mandarin and Cantonese form of the surname 車 meaning ‘carriage’ or ‘cart’ in Chinese: (i) said to be borne by descendants of Che Ou (車區) an astrologist during the reign of the legendary Huang Di the ‘Yellow Emperor’ (c. 27th century BC). (ii) shortened form of the surname Zi Che (子車) a surname of noblemen in the state of Qin. (iii) from Che Cheng Xiang (車丞相) literally ‘Carriage Prime Minister’ the title of Tian Qianqiu a prime minister during the Western Han dynasty (206 BC–25 AD). He earned the title because when he was old and decrepit Emperor Zhao of Han (94–74 BC) took pity on him and allowed him to move into and out of the palace by carriage instead of on foot. (iv) adopted as a surname by the Che Kun (車裩) and Che Fei (車非) families from the Xianbei ethnic group in northern China during the Northern Wei dynasty (386–534 AD).2: Chinese: variant Romanization of the surname 謝 see Xie 1.3: Chinese: variant Romanization of the surname 齊 see Qi 1.4: Vietnamese (Chế): written 制 in Chinese of unexplained etymology. It is found among the Cham people in southern Vietnam.5: Korean: variant of Chae.6: Amerindian (Guatemala Mexico and Belize; also Ché): Mayan name from che' ‘tree wood’.7: Catalan (Valencia): nickname from xe ‘typical person from Valencia’ (from the interjection xe!).

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.

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.

Hou : Chinese:: 1: Mandarin form of the surname 侯 a title approximately equivalent to ‘marquis’: (i) borne by descendants of Jin Ai Hou (晉哀侯 Marquis Ai of Jin ruler of the state of Jin reigned 717–709 BC) and Jin Min Hou (晉湣侯 Marquis Min of Jin another ruler of the state of Jin died 679 BC) both of whom were killed by Duke Wu of Jin (also known as Duke Wu of Quwo 754–677 BC) who later became a new ruler of the state of Jin. Their descendants fled to other states and adopted the name of the peerage rank as their surname. (ii) from the placename Hou (侯) the name of a fief (located in present-day Shaanxi province) granted to descendants of Xia Yu the first king of the Xia dynasty (2070–1600 BC). (iii) from Hou (侯) the name of an ancient state (located in Henan province) during the Shang dynasty (1600–1046 BC). (iv) borne by descendants of Hou Xuan Duo (侯宣多) and Hou Yu (侯羽) officials in the state of Zheng during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC). (v) adopted as a surname by families from minority ethnic groups in northern China during the Northern Wei dynasty (386–534 AD) including the families of Hu Gu Kou Yin (胡古口引) Hou Nu (侯奴) Ke Hou (渴侯) Gu Yin (古引) and Si Fu Hou (俟伏侯).2: Mandarin form of the surname 后 meaning ‘empress queen’ in Chinese: (i) from the first element of the title Hou Tu (后土) borne by Gou Long an official in charge of lands during the reign of the legendary Huang Di the ‘Yellow Emperor’ (c. 27th century BC). (ii) simplified form of the placename Hou (郈 also written as 厚) the name of a fief (located in present-day Shandong province) granted to Gong son of the Duke Xiao of Lu (ruler of the state of Lu died 769 BC). (iii) borne by descendants of Hou Zang (后臧) younger brother of Ye Gong (Duke of Ye c. 550–470 BC) a noble in the state of Chu. (iv) borne by descendants of Yin an official historiographer in the state of Qi during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC) who was endowed with the surname Hou (后 meaning ‘wife of the king’) because Yin's daughter became the wife of King Xiang of Qi (ruler of the state of Qi died in 265 BC).3: Mandarin form of the surname 後 meaning ‘back’ in Chinese: said to be borne by descendants of Hou Zhao (後照) a grandson of the legendary king Tai Hao who lived even before the Xia dynasty (2070–1600 BC).4: Mandarin form of the surname 厚 meaning ‘thick’ in Chinese: from Hou (厚) the name of a fief (located in present-day Jiangsu province) in the state of Lu granted to Hou Ji (厚瘠) also known as Hou Cheng Shu (厚成叔) an official in the state of Lu during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC).5: variant Romanization of the surname 霍 see Huo 1.6: variant Romanization of the surname 緱 see Gou 3.

Jin : 1: Chinese: Mandarin form of the surname 金 meaning ‘gold’ in Chinese: (i) from Jin Tian (金天) title of the legendary king Shao Hao (c. 26th century BC) the son of the legendary Huang Di the ‘Yellow Emperor’ (c. 27th century BC). Some of his descendants inherited 金 part of his title as their surname. (ii) from Jin Midi (金日磾) (134–86 BC) a prince of King Xiu Tu of the Huns who was captured as a child and brought up at the Han imperial court. He became an official highly regarded by Emperor Wu of Han (156–87 BC) and was appointed as master of the imperial stables. He made golden statues of horses to worship Heaven and because of this was given the surname Jin 金 (meaning ‘gold’) by the emperor. (iii) for some families the surname is traced back to the Liu (劉 see Lau) family living in the state of Wu Yue (907–978 AD located in present-day Zhejiang Jiangsu and Fujian provinces) who changed their original surname 劉 to 金 because the former was pronounced the same as the personal name of the emperor Qian Liu (founder of the Wuyue Kingdom 852–932 AD) and it was taboo in ancient China to bear a name that was borne by the emperor. (iv) for some families the surname is traced back to the minority ethnic groups of Qiangzu and Xinluo in northern China during the Southern and Northern dynasties (420–589 AD).2: Chinese: Mandarin form of the surname 靳 meaning ‘stingy’ in ancient Chinese: (i) from the placename Jin (靳) the name of a fief (located in Ningxiang in Hunan province) granted to Jin Shang (靳尚) (died 311 BC) a noble official in the state of Chu during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC). (ii) for some families the surname can be traced back to the Huns in northern China recorded in ancient Chinese history books.3: Chinese: Mandarin form of the surname 晉 meaning ‘enter’ or ‘promote’ in ancient Chinese: from Jin (晉) the name of a state (located mainly in present-day Shanxi province) originally granted to Tang Shu Yu (Shu Yu of Tang) the third son of King Wu of Zhou (c. 1087–1043 BC). In 403 BC the state was partitioned into three new states by Marquis Wen of Wei (died 396 BC) Marquis Jing of Han (died 400 BC) and Marquis Lie of Zhao (died 400 BC). Descendants of the Duke Jing of Jin (possibly died 349 BC) the last ruler of the state of Jin inherited 晉 the name of the original state as their surname.4: Chinese: Hokkien or Taiwanese Romanization of the surname 甄 see Zhen.5: Korean: variant of Jin 4.6: Japanese: written 陣 ‘ranks’ or ‘battle array’. It is not common in Japan.

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).

Lin : 1: Chinese: Mandarin form of the surname 林 meaning ‘woods forest’: (i) from the placename Chang Lin (長林) where Jian son of Bi Gan took refuge after his father was killed by Zhou last king of the Shang dynasty (1600–1046 BC). After the Shang dynasty was overthrown he was endowed with the surname Lin (林) by King Wu of Zhou (c. 1087–1043 BC). (ii) from the first element of the personal name Lin Kai (林開) son of King Ping of Zhou (died 720 BC). (iii) from the personal name of Lin Fang (林放) an official in the state of Lu also a student of Confucius (551–479 BC) during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC). (iv) adopted by the Qiu Lin (丘林) family as a surname during the Northern Wei dynasty (386–534 AD). (v) from the personal name of Lin Fu (林父) personal name of an official in the state of Wey during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC) whose original surname was Sun. (vi) from the placename Lin (林) the name of a fief granted to an official in the state of Ju during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC).2: Chinese: Mandarin form of the surname 藺 meaning ‘rush (a type of plant)’ in ancient Chinese: from the placename Lin (藺) the name of a fief (located in Shaanxi province or in Shanxi province) granted to Kang who lived during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC). He was descended from the Han family in the state of Jin but later went to the state of Zhao to seek an official post.3: Chinese: Cantonese form of the surnames 連 and 練 see Lian 2 and 3.4: Chinese: variant Romanization of the surname 凌 see Ling 4.5: Burmese: from a personal name usually forming part of a compound name from lin ‘bright clear’. Compare Lyn 3. — Note: Since Burmese do not have hereditary surnames this name was registered as such only after immigration of its bearers to the US.6: Cambodian: written លិន of Chinese origin but unexplained etymology (probably corresponding to one of the surnames above). Compare Lyn 3.7: Scottish and English: variant of Lynn and possibly also Flynn.

Ma : 1: Chinese: Mandarin or Cantonese form of the surname 馬 which means ‘horse’: (i) from the first element of Mafu (馬服) the name of a fief (located in Handan in Hebei province) or an honorific title that was granted to Zhao She a prince of the state of Zhao during the Warring States period (475–221 BC). The name Mafu (馬服) was later acquired as a surname and shortened to Ma (馬). (ii) from the adopted name of Xi-Li Ji'en (習禮吉恩) an official in the Jin dynasty (1115–1234 AD) who changed his original name to Ma Qingxiang (馬慶祥) when he moved from Central Asia to Lintao (in present-day Gansu province). (iii) from the adopted name of Yue Naihe (月乃和) a commander-in-chief in the late Jin dynasty who changed his original name to Ma Zu Chang (馬祖常). (iv) this surname is also borne by Muslims of the Hui ethnic group located mainly in northwestern China.2: Chinese: Mandarin or Cantonese form of the surname 麻 which denotes a herbaceous plant such as hemp or flax: (i) from the placename Ma (麻) the name of a fief (located in Macheng in Hubei province) that was granted to an official of the state of Chu during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC). (ii) from the first element of the personal name of Ma Ying (麻婴) an official in the state of Qi (located mainly in present-day Shandong province) during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC).3: Korean: written 마 in Chinese characters 馬 meaning ‘horse’. There are actually two Chinese characters for the surname Ma only one of which is frequent enough to be treated here. Two clans use the character 馬: the Mokch’ŏn clan and the Changhŭng clan. The character is borne by the descendants of Ma Ryŏ (馬 黎) who migrated to Korea from China during the Han Commanderies period (1st century BC) and attended King On Cho when he left Koguryŏ to found the Paekche Kingdom in 18 BC and by the descendants of Ryŏ's brother Ma Shin (馬 信) who stayed behind in Koguryŏ. The Ma family disappears from the historical record after these events but reappears during the reign of the Koryŏ king Chŏngjo (reigned 1776–1800 AD) when a high court official Ma Sun-hŭng (馬 順興) was enfeoffed with Mokch’ŏn County in Ch’ungch’ŏng South Province. Mokch’ŏn became the clan seat of the Ma Family. Another clan seat appeared eleven generations later when Ma Ch’ŏn-mok (馬 天牧) was enfeoffed with Changhŭng County. Compare Mah 2.4: Burmese: from a form of address for a young woman akin to English ‘miss’ used as part of the female 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.5: Cambodian: written ម៉ា probably of Chinese origin but unexplained etymology (compare above). It corresponds to the Khmer word borrowed from dialects of southern China (particularly Teochew Hokkien and Hakka) meaning ‘grandmother’.6: Vietnamese (Mã): from the Chinese surname 馬 see 1 above. It is also found among the Cham people in southern Vietnam.

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.

Pan : 1: Chinese: Mandarin form of the surname 潘 meaning ‘rice water’ in ancient Chinese: (i) from the placename Pan (潘) a fief (located in present-day northwestern Shangqiu in Henan province) that was granted to Ji Sun son of Bi Gong Gao (Duke of Bi the 15th son of King Wen of Zhou 1152–1056 BC). (ii) borne by descendants of Pan Chong (潘崇) a noble in the state of Chu during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC). (iii) adopted as a surname by the Po Duo Luo (破多罗) family from the Xianbei ethnic group in northern China during the Northern Wei dynasty (386–534 AD). (iv) adopted as a surname by Pan Shao (潘紹) who changed his original surname Zhao to Pan during the Yuan dynasty (1206–1368 AD).2: Chinese: Mandarin form of the surname 盤 denoting ‘washbasin’ or ‘plate’ in ancient Chinese: said to be borne by descendants of Pan Hu (盤瓠) an ancient legendary figure. They were originally scattered around the present-day southern Sichuan province and later migrated to Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and Guangdong province.3: Chinese: Mandarin form of the surname 泮 meaning‘side'or ‘waterside' in Chinese: possibly derived from a placename (said to be name of a place in the state of Wey (衛) during the Spring and Autumn period 770–476 BC).4: Chinese: Cantonese and alternative Mandarin form of the surname 班 see Ban 6.5: Chinese: variant Romanization of the surname 彭 see Peng 1.6: Chinese: variant Romanization of the surname 范 see Fan 1.7: Chinese: Cantonese form of the surname 賓 see Bin 1.8: Chinese: variant Romanization of the surname 馮 possibly based on its Hokkien or Teochew pronunciation see Feng 1.9: Korean: there are two Chinese characters for this surname; only one of them however is common enough to warrant treatment here. There are three clans which use this character: the Kisŏng (also called the Kŏje) the Kwangju and the Namp’yŏng. The founding ancestors of these clans were Koryŏ (918–1392) figures and it is widely believed that they were related. Compare Ban 9.10: Amerindian (Guatemala and Mexico): Mayan name from pan ‘flag banner’.11: Spanish: metonymic occupational name for a baker or a pantryman from pan ‘bread’ (from Latin panis).12: English and Dutch: metonymic occupational name for someone who cast or sold pans from Middle English Middle Dutch panne ‘pan’.13: Ukrainian Rusyn Sorbian and Jewish (eastern Ashkenazic); Czech and Slovak (Pán): from Ukrainian Sorbian and Yiddish pan Czech and Slovak pán ‘lord master landowner’ hence a nickname for a haughty person. The Sorbian surname is found mainly in a Germanized form Pahn.14: Ukrainian and Rusyn: from a short form of the personal name Panteleymon (Greek Panteleēmōn; see Pantaleo) and also of some other names beginning with Pa(n)-.

Rao : 1: Italian: from a shortened form of the ancient Germanic personal name Radulfo composed of the elements hrōd ‘fame renown’ + wulf ‘wolf’. Compare the English name Ralph.2: Indian (southern and western states of India and Orissa): name found in several communities based on Sanskrit rājā ‘king’. The element -rao is freely added to male personal names in certain communities of Maharashtra Goa and Andhra Pradesh.3: Chinese: Mandarin form of the surname 饒 meaning ‘rich abundant’ in Chinese: (i) from Rao (饒) the name of a fief (located in Raoyang in Hebei province) granted to Chang’an Jun (‘Lord of Chang’an’) by King Daoxiang of Zhao (ruler of the state of Zhao died 236 BC) during the late Warring States period (475–221 BC). (ii) from Rao (饒) the name of a fief (located in Qingzhou in Shandong province) granted to an official in the state of Qi during the Warring States period (475–221 BC). (iii) from Rao (饒) the name of an ancient state during the Shang dynasty (1600–1046 BC). (iv) said to be borne by some descendants of the legendary emperor Yao (c. 24th century BC).

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.

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.

Weng : 1: Chinese: Mandarin form of the surname 翁 meaning ‘old man’ in Chinese: (i) from the placename Weng (翁) the name of a fief (possibly located in present-day Zhejiang province) which was granted to one of the sons of King Zhao of Zhou (reigned 995–977 BC). (ii) from the personal name of Weng Nanyi (翁难乙) an official in the Xia dynasty (2070–1600 BC).2: Chinese: variant Romanization of the surname 汪 see Wang 2.3: Chinese: variant Romanization of the surname 溫 see Wen 2.4: German: habitational name from any of several places so named in southern Germany and Austria.5: Danish: unexplained.

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Geographic distribution of the 501 individuals with the name ZHAO on Geneanet.

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