Last names are a meaningful link to our familial heritage, and Chinese surnames are steeped in rich history. Many surnames in Japan and Korea trace their roots back to China, reflecting cultural exchanges over centuries. While there are more than 4,000 surnames in China today, the tradition of the “old hundred families” continues to thrive. Legend has it that the most common 100 surnames originated from 100 tribes thousands of years ago, which now account for about 85% of the Chinese population.
Here’s a curated list of notable Chinese last names. While the characters may remain the same in Mandarin and Cantonese, the romanizations differ across these dialects. Let’s dive into this fascinating world of names to see if any ring a bell!
- 黄
Mandarin: Huang
Cantonese: Wong
Meaning: Yellow. - 林
Mandarin: Lin
Cantonese: Lam
Meaning: Forest. - 张
Mandarin: Zhang
Cantonese: Cheung
Meaning: Expanding (as in the bowstring of an archer). - 孙
Mandarin: Sun
Cantonese: Suen
Meaning: Grandson. - 郑
Mandarin: Zheng
Cantonese: Zeng/Cheng
Meaning: Referring to the ancient State of Zheng. - 萧
Mandarin: Xiao
Cantonese: Siu
Meaning: Quiet. - 庄
Mandarin: Zhuang
Cantonese: Tsong
Meaning: Village or place of business. - 洪
Mandarin: Hong
Cantonese: Hung
Meaning: Flood, vast or grand. - 李
Mandarin: Li
Cantonese: Lee
Meaning: Plum. - 田
Mandarin: Tian
Cantonese: Tin
Meaning: Field. - 袁
Mandarin: Yuan
Cantonese: Yuen
Meaning: Robe. - 任
Mandarin: Ren
Cantonese: Yam
Meaning: To appoint. - 崔
Mandarin: Cui
Cantonese: Chui
Meaning: Towering. - 王
Mandarin: Wang
Cantonese: Wong
Meaning: King. - 陈
Mandarin: Chen
Cantonese: Chan
Meaning: Old or exhibit. - 杨
Mandarin: Yang
Cantonese: Yeung
Meaning: Aspen tree. - 程
Mandarin: Cheng
Cantonese: Ching
Meaning: Rule or journey. - 沈
Mandarin: Shen
Cantonese: Shum/Sum/Sham
Meaning: To sink. - 姜
Mandarin: Jiang
Cantonese: Keung
Meaning: Ginger. - 谭
Mandarin: Tan
Cantonese: Tam
Meaning: Talk. - 廖
Mandarin: Liao
Cantonese: Liu
Meaning: Chat or slightly. - 韦
Mandarin: Wei
Cantonese: Wai
Meaning: Leather. - 熊
Mandarin: Xiong
Cantonese: Hung
Meaning: Bear. - 龙
Mandarin: Long
Cantonese: Lung/Long
Meaning: Dragon. - 毛
Mandarin: Mao
Cantonese: Mo
Meaning: Hair or fur. - 施
Mandarin: Shi
Cantonese: Si/Xi
Meaning: Establish. - 龚
Mandarin: Gong
Cantonese: Kung
Meaning: Present or give. - 钱
Mandarin: Qian
Cantonese: Chin
Meaning: Money. - 孔
Mandarin: Kong
Cantonese: Hung
Meaning: Hole. - 常
Mandarin: Chang
Cantonese: Sheung
Meaning: Common. - 康
Mandarin: Kang
Cantonese: Hong
Meaning: Healthy.
Exploring these names gives us a glimpse into the vast cultural tapestry of China. If you’re interested in learning more about topics like pregnancy and home insemination, visit this excellent resource. And for deeper insights into emotional intelligence, check out this related post.
To summarize, Chinese surnames are not just identifiers; they hold centuries of history and meaning that connect us to our ancestors. Each name tells a story, and understanding them enriches our appreciation of cultural heritage.