Chinese surnames carry centuries of lineage, often linked to ancient dynasties, regional origins, and meaningful Chinese characters. While there are hundreds of surnames in Chinese culture, a relatively small number dominate the population. In fact, the top 100 surnames are shared by over 85% of the Chinese population.
Unlike Western names, which place the surname at the end, Chinese names begin with the family name, followed by the given name. Most Chinese surnames are a single character, though a few are compound surnames with two characters.
In English, Chinese surnames can have many variations in spelling. This is due to the vast diversity of dialects, migrations, and colonial influences. As a result, the same Chinese character may be romanized differently across regions. For example, Mainland China uses the official Hanyu Pinyin romanization spelling. Some immigrant communities use older romanization systems like the Wades-Giles system and may have influence from Cantonese, Hokkien, and Teochew.
曹 (Cáo) – Cao
Cao is a historical surname best known through the famous warlord Cao Cao from the Three Kingdoms period. It carries connotations of leadership and ambition. In Cantonese, it may be romanized as Cho or Chow, while Tso is another variation seen in some overseas communities.
陈 (Chén) – Chen
This surname traces its roots to the ancient State of Chen and is especially common in southern China, Taiwan, and Singapore. It means "to display or exhibit." In Cantonese, it is often romanized as Chan, and it may also appear as Tan in Hokkien-speaking communities in Singapore and Malaysia.
丁 (Dīng) – Ding
Ding symbolizes stability and is often associated with ancient ceremonial cauldrons. It's usually spelled Ting in Cantonese, and in Southeast Asia, the name may also appear as Teng or Thing.
杜 (Dù) – Du
Du has literary roots and is linked with the famous poet Du Fu. The name is associated with refinement and scholarship. In Cantonese-speaking areas, it is often romanized as To, and in Vietnam, it's rendered as Đỗ.
高 (Gāo) – Gao
Gao means "tall or high," symbolizing height, prominence, and excellence. It's associated with military leaders and scholars. In Cantonese, it is commonly romanized as Ko or Kou.
郭 (Guō) – Guo
Guo is an ancient surname associated with military strength and protection. It literally means "outer city wall or defense." It is often written as Kwok in Cantonese-speaking regions, and in Southeast Asia, it may be spelled Kok or Kuek.
韩 (Hán) – Han
Han is an ethnically significant surname representing the Han dynasty and the Han ethnic majority. It is typically romanized as Hon or Kan in Cantonese, and Han remains the standard in Mandarin-speaking areas.
何 (Hé) – He
The surname He has philosophical and poetic origins. In Classical Chinese, it was a question word, meaning "what or why." It is typically spelled Ho in Cantonese, and in Vietnam, it is sometimes seen as Hà. It's popular among both Han Chinese and overseas Chinese communities.
洪 (Hóng) – Hong
Hong symbolizes grandeur, vastness, and floodwaters, often linked to mythological and natural imagery. It may be spelled Hung in Cantonese-speaking communities, and in Hokkien regions, it might appear as Ang or Hong.
胡 (Hú) – Hu
While it once referred to nomadic groups on China's borders, Hu later became a common Han Chinese surname. It appears as Woo, Khoo, or Ho in different dialects, especially among diaspora communities in Southeast Asia.
黄 (Huáng) – Huang
Huang is the word for "yellow, " symbolizing royalty and the Yellow Emperor (Huangdi). This surname is popular in southern China. Cantonese variants include Wong, and in Southeast Asia, it can appear as Ng or Oei, depending on dialect and country.
蒋 (Jiǎng) – Jiang
Jiang became widely recognized internationally through Chiang Kai-shek. The Chinese character represents strength and patriotism. Depending on the romanization system, it's typically spelled Cheung or Chiang in Cantonese.
江 (Jiāng) – Jiang
Jiang is an ancient Chinese surname that literally means "river." It symbolizes continuity, flow, and life. The name is associated with natural strength and calm authority. In Cantonese, it is often romanized as Kong or Koong, and in some Southeast Asian communities, it may appear as Kang or Chiang, depending on dialect and historical romanization practices.
李 (Lǐ) – Li
One of the most common surnames in China and the Chinese diaspora, Li comes from the character for "plum." It has deep historical roots, particularly during the Tang dynasty when it was the imperial surname. The name symbolizes resilience and cultural elegance. In English, this surname can sometimes be written as Lee in Mandarin and Lei in Cantonese.
梁 (Liáng) – Liang
Liang means "bridge or beam" and is associated with architecture, support, and strength. It's often spelled Leung in Cantonese, while Hokkien and Southeast Asian versions may include Leong or Liong.
廖 (Liào) – Liao
Liao originates from an ancient feudal state and is linked to elegance and nobility. In Cantonese, it's usually written as Liu, Liew, or Leow, with some Southeast Asian families adopting Liau or Lio.
林 (Lín) – Lin
Lin is one of the most common surnames in southern China. It means "forest" and symbolizes nature, harmony, and growth. In Southeast Asia, especially among Hokkien speakers, it's often romanized as Lim. In Cantonese, it may appear as Lam.
刘 (Liú) – Liu
Liu was the surname of the emperors of the Han dynasty and symbolized royal strength. It originally meant "to kill or destroy," but the word is mostly phonetic now. Thanks to early immigration among Cantonese speakers to the U.S. and Southeast Asia before romanization was standardized, Liu, Louie, Liew, and Lowe have many different English variations.
吕 (Lǚ) – Lü / Lu
Lü is linked to the Lü clan, which played a significant role in the Han dynasty. It can also refer to strategic wisdom. Romanized as Lui or Looey in Cantonese, it may also appear as Lu when the umlaut (ü) is dropped in simplified spellings.
罗 (Luó) – Luo
This surname means "to net or collect" and is especially common in southern China. In Cantonese, it is often romanized as Lo or Law, and in Hokkien, it is called Loke or Low. It symbolizes connection and order.
马 (Mǎ) – Ma
Ma symbolizes speed, strength, and grace and means "horse." It also has Islamic roots, with many Hui Chinese Muslims carrying this surname. Variants include Mah or Maah in Southeast Asia and among diaspora communities.
欧阳 (Ōuyáng) – Ouyang
Ouyang is one of the most well-known compound (two-character) Chinese surnames, originating from the Spring and Autumn period. It carries a literary and scholarly connotation, with several famous poets and statesmen in Chinese history bearing this name. In Cantonese, it is often romanized as Au Yeung or Ao Yang, and it retains its distinct two-syllable structure across dialects and romanization systems.
潘 (Pān) – Pan
Pan originates from a fiefdom name in ancient China and is associated with water and clarity. In Cantonese, it is commonly spelled Poon, and in some Southeast Asian regions, it appears as Phua or Phan depending on dialect.
司马 (Sīmǎ) – Sima
Sima is an ancient and aristocratic surname with origins in military officialdom—"sī" meaning "to manage" and "mǎ" meaning "horses." It was originally a title for high-ranking commanders. The name is most famously borne by Sima Qian, the great historian of the Han dynasty, and Sima Yi, a military strategist during the Three Kingdoms period. In Cantonese, it may appear as Si Ma, See Ma, or remain Sima, depending on the romanization tradition.
宋 (Sòng) – Song
This royal surname has imperial associations and is recognized for its connection to the Song dynasty. It can appear as Soong in older romanization, especially among older overseas Chinese families.
孙 (Sūn) – Sun
Famous for being the surname of Sun Tzu (author of The Art of War), this name reflects wisdom and legacy. It literally means "grandchild." It is often written in Cantonese as Suen, and in Southeast Asia, it may appear as Soon.
谢 (Xiè) – Xie
This surname, meaning "thanks or gratitude," is rich in cultural and poetic meaning. In Cantonese, it's often written as Tse, Tze, or Cheah in Hokkien-speaking regions like Singapore and Penang.
徐 (Xú) – Xu
Xu is associated with softness and grace. It means "slowly, gently." The name traces back to the ancient State of Xu. Cantonese forms may include Tsui, Chui, or Soo, depending on romanization and dialect.
王 (Wáng) – Wang
Wang is a surname that denotes royal heritage and authority. It literally means "king" and is often associated with nobility. English variations include Wong in Cantonese-speaking regions, and sometimes Wong is used interchangeably with the surname 黄 (Huáng).
魏 (Wèi) – Wei
Wei has imperial and militaristic origins, and it was named after the ancient State of Wei. It symbolizes power and structure. It may appear as Ngai or Wai in Cantonese, and in Vietnam, the name is sometimes spelled Ngụy.
吴 (Wú) – Wu
Wu was the name of a powerful state during the Spring and Autumn period. It is popular in eastern China. It's often spelled Ng or Eng in Cantonese and sometimes appears as Woo in older romanizations.
杨 (Yáng) – Yang
Yang is the name of a popular tree linked to nature and endurance. It has ancient roots from the Spring and Autumn periods. English variations include Yeung in Cantonese and Yeo in some Southeast Asian regions.
曾 (Zēng) – Zeng
Zeng is a surname with Confucian roots. It is associated with the disciple Zengzi and signifies respect and tradition. In Cantonese, it is usually spelled Tsang, and in Hokkien or Teochew dialects, it may be Tjung or Chang.
张 (Zhāng) – Zhang
Meaning: To stretch, to expand
Zhang originated from a military term in ancient China and became widespread due to the legacy of the Yellow Emperor. It means "to stretch or expand." Common English variations include Cheung or Cheong (Cantonese), and Chang (from older romanization systems).
赵 (Zhào) – Zhao
Zhao is an aristocratic name. It was the surname of the ruling family during the Song dynasty. It is the first surname listed in the Hundred Family Surnames poem. In Cantonese, it's commonly romanized as Chiu or Chao in older systems.
郑 (Zhèng) – Zheng
Meaning: Upright or proper
Zheng originates from the ancient State of Zheng and means "upright or proper." Depending on regional pronunciation, it is often spelled Cheng, Tay, or Teh in Cantonese, especially in Malaysia and Singapore.
周 (Zhōu) – Zhou
Zhou is historically tied to the Zhou dynasty, one of China's longest-ruling dynasties. It means "circumference and to encircle" and often symbolizes wisdom and completeness. English variants include Chow (Cantonese) and Chou (from the Wade-Giles romanization).
朱 (Zhū) – Zhu
Zhu was the imperial surname of the Ming dynasty and is associated with nobility. It literally means "vermilion," which is a bright red color. It may appear as Chu in Cantonese and sometimes Choo or Chew in Southeast Asian countries.
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