890+ Chinese Last Names: Tracing Roots and Family Heritage

Chinese last names, called “xing” in Mandarin, are a vital part of China’s culture. There are over 4,000 last names, each with its own history and meaning. These names often come from jobs, places, or important events.

For example, Wang, Li, and Zhang are common surnames shared by many people. Knowing Chinese last names helps tell the story of family, where they come from, and the traditions they follow.

It’s a way for people to connect with their past and take pride in their roots, forming a special part of Chinese identity.

Top Chinese Last Names

The most common Chinese last names reflect the rich cultural tapestry of the nation. Names like Wang, Li, Zhang, Liu, and Chen dominate, with historical roots tracing back centuries. These surnames, often passed down through generations, carry familial pride and cultural significance, embodying China’s diverse and enduring heritage.

Chinese Last Names and Meanings

Chinese last names, or surnames, carry profound cultural significance. Typically passed down through generations, they often reflect familial pride and ancestral roots. Common examples include Wang (king), Zhang (stretch), and Li (plum). Understanding these names provides insights into China’s rich history, diverse heritage, and familial connections.

Last Name	Meaning
Wang	King
Li	Plum
Zhang	Stretch
Liu	Willow
Chen	Morning
Yang	Sun
Huang	Yellow
Zhao	Beginning
Wu	Martial
Zhou	Boat
Xu	Emptiness
Sun	Grandchild
Ma	Horse
Zhu	Bamboo
Hu	Tiger
Guo	Country
Lin	Forest
He	River
Gao	Tall/High
Cao	Grass

Royal Chinese Surnames

Chinese royal surnames bear historical significance, reflecting imperial lineages. Prominent ones include Li, associated with the Tang Dynasty, and Zhu, linked to the Ming Dynasty. These surnames symbolize a rich tapestry of Chinese dynastic history, preserving ancestral legacies within the nation’s cultural and social framework.

Unique Chinese Last Names

Chinese last names are diverse and often reflect rich historical and cultural significance. With over 4,000 distinct surnames, China boasts a vast array of unique family names such as Zhang, Li, and Wang. Each name carries a unique story, connecting individuals to their ancestral roots and cultural heritage.

Popular Chinese Last Names

Common Chinese last names include Wang, Li, Zhang, Liu, Chen, and Yang. These surnames have deep historical roots and are widespread, reflecting China’s diverse cultural heritage. Family names often carry significant cultural and ancestral meaning, contributing to a rich tapestry of identity within the Chinese population.

Most Common Chinese Surnames

The most common Chinese surnames reflect the country’s rich history. “Wang” holds the top spot, symbolizing royalty. “Li” follows, denoting strength. “Zhang” signifies growth and prosperity. These surnames, deeply rooted in tradition, showcase China’s diverse cultural heritage and familial pride, shaping the nation’s identity through generations.

Famous Chinese Last Names

Chinese surnames reflect rich cultural heritage. Common ones include Li, Wang, Zhang, Chen, and Liu, each with deep historical roots. Li, meaning ‘plum,’ is widespread, while Wang, ‘king,’ signifies nobility. Zhang, ‘stretch,’ suggests expansion. Chen, ‘old,’ emphasizes ancestry, and Liu, ‘willow,’ signifies resilience. These names highlight China’s diverse linguistic and cultural tapestry.

Li	Wang
Zhang	Chen
Liu	Yang
Huang	Zhao
Wu	Zhou
Xu	Sun
Ma	Zhu
Hu	Guo
Lin	He
Gao	Shen
Liang	Feng
Song	Yu
Tang	Xie
Han	Cao
Xia	Kong
Ouyang	Huo
Feng	Qian
Wei	Zeng
Xue	Deng
Yuan	Ye
Jin	Pan
Ying	Cheng
Huang	Du
Dai	Ji
Lu	Mo
Ren	Su
Fang	Bei
Xiong	Tong
Lu	Ding
Geng	Bai
Shao	Fu
Hu	Qu
Qiu	Xiong
Yang	Shen
Chen	Yi
Fang	Qin
Xing	Jiang
Wei	Nie
Shen	Kuang
Qiao	Ou
Chu	Shu
Huang	Yao
Liao	Ran
Du	Yuan
Ji	Zheng
Zhou	Hong
Li	Zhan
He	Cui
Wu	Yan
Yin	Xing
Xia	Lei
Peng	Hua
Luo	Xiao
Yu	Ai
Yan	Zou

Powerful Chinese Last Names

Chinese last names carry significant cultural and historical weight. Renowned for their potency, names like Zhang, Li, and Wang are emblematic of ancient lineages and enduring legacies. These powerful surnames reflect China’s rich heritage, embodying familial pride and societal influence that has persisted through generations.

Cool Chinese Last Names

Another common Chinese last name is Li, which is the second most common surname in China, with over 87 million people bearing the name. The name Li is of Chinese origin and means “plum” or “plum tree.” Historically, the name was given to people who were considered to be virtuous.

Here is a list of some cool Chinese Last Names.

Wu –  martial or military

Xiang –  fragrant or aromatic

Yao –  drugs or medicine

Zeng –  increase or add

Zhang –  prosper or flourish

Zhou –  island or peninsula

Chen –  morning or dawn

Chu –  to own or to possess

Gao –  tall or high

Hao –  good or excellent

Yaozu

Wú

Wéi

Kun

Wèi

Shèng

Ru

Ping

Hui

Strong

Qui

Yazhu

Jiǎng

Lǚ

Líng

Yufei

Bigan

Guanting

Bojing

Mythical

Zhi-ming

Han

Pengfei

Míngzé

Nianzu

Dingbang

Enlai

You

Weidong

Guohua

Shuchang

Dǒng

Qinggang

Xun

Jiǎ

Yongliang

Yanghao

Luhan

Yuhang

Mingze

Chuanli

Mencius

Dingxiang

Yahui

Cute

Yè

Kāng

Guanyu

Jin

Huan

Mùchén

Aang

Shuǐ

Wen

Chao

Shí

Lijun

Xuān

Honghui

Liwei

Guān

Popular

Gěng

Chaoxiang

Mingli

Niu

Tāng

Gang

Zōu

Guo

Deng

Yáng

Haitao

Yibo

Changpu

Shanyuan

Zemin

Xiao

Zhi

Xiaobo

Zedong

Zhong

Poetic

Shilin

Sòng

Zi Rui

Qi

Niú

Xiaodan

Ying

Fun Fact: Ying is a Chinese last name, meaning “hero” or “brave”.

Catchy Chinese Last Names

The third most common Chinese last name is Zhang, which has over 70 million people bearing the name. The name Zhang is of Chinese origin and means “expand” or “stretch.” Historically, the name was given to people who were considered to be ambitious or had a desire for expansion.

Here is a list of some catchy Chinese Last Names.

Ji –  auspicious or lucky

Kang –  health or wellbeing

Lan –  blue or orchid

Meng –  dream or fantasy

Ning –  peace or tranquility

Ou –  European or foreign

Peng –  friend or companion

Qiao –  bridge or connect

Rong –  glory or splendor

Shan –  mountain or hill

Zhaohui

Jia Hao

Ah

Renshu

Yuxan

Hú

Hop

Yun

Zan

Yingjie

Huijuan

Qiū

Delun

Liqin

Jianyu

Péng

Quon

Guowei

Pān

Liú

Zhen

Mu

Qingshan

Chéng

Qiqiang

Jaw-long

Minghao

Liù

Lian

Haoxuan

Ing-wen

Qingsheng

Qu

Tao

Geming

Huò

Yìzé

Xiu

Dān

Haoran

Cài

Zixin

Huizhong

Shū

Caishen

Zhān

Jun

Quán

Shirong

Heng

Huiqing

Xìngyùn

Dèng

Xin

Qing

Le

Joon

Bin

Nuan

Lǐ

Junpei

Bingwen

Wánchéng

Wenge

Jianguo

Yì

Yongrui

Dù

Fulin

Yuanjun

Táng

Ling

Fāng

Liào

Tai

Yaoting

Tengfei

Míng

Yuze

Simple

Wǔ

Ren

Yìchén

Tingfeng

Zhū

Xiè

Qiān

Huiliang

Shaoqing

Lóng

Fun Fact: Lóng is a Chinese last name, meaning “dragon”.

The Best Chinese Last Names

Chinese last names also have regional variations, with certain surnames being more prevalent in certain areas of China. For example, the surnames Chen and Liu are more common in the southern regions of China, while the surnames Wang and Zhang are more common in the northern regions.

Here is a list of some best Chinese Last Names. 

Wei –  power or strength

Wu –  five or five stars

Xia –  summer

Yin –  silver or money

Zhang –  grow or increase

Cheng –  achieve or complete

Dong –  east or morning

Fan –  fan or support

Gong –  palace or duke

Hou –  prince or noble

Old-fashioned

Hè

Jīn

Zihan

Weiyuan

Fèng

Xuesong

Yanlin

Wāng

Xǔ

Shù

Xue

Yongnian

Yán

Xiyang

Sān

Weimin

Wàn

Lim

Ju

Ye

Ai

Dishithis

Shihong

Hán

Muchen

Zian

Lianjie

Fang

Yi Ming

Yúzé

Cáo

Fenhua

Qian

Gui

Cháo

Yīn

Xueqin

Qianfan

Guiren

Hàorán

Kai

Máo

Zhào

Hongliang

Yichen

Gù

Mǐn

Yusheng

Changrui

Shoi-ming

Èr

Common

Longwei

Hongli

Xuē

Ruo

Mùyáng

Jialun

Fen

Lù

Sūn

Lài

Yóu

Yŭxuān

Weiguo

Xiāo

Ming

Hóu

Chun

Lixin

Wáng

Bái

Zhōu

Shun

Chonglin

Xià

Chang

Gen

Shēn

Yuxuan

Da

Genghis

Xiaoli

Jingguo

De

Sì

Tai-hua

Baby

Kǒng

Fun Fact: Kǒng is a Chinese last name, meaning “empty” or “sky”.

Amazing Chinese Last Names

Chinese last names have a rich history and diversity, reflecting China’s many cultures and linguistic heritage. From the common Wang and Li to the unique regional surnames, Chinese last names tell the story of the country’s history and its people.

The meaning and origin of Chinese last names are often complex and may have different interpretations..

Xu –  empty or humble

Sun –  grandfather or ancestor

Zhu –  bamboo

Guan –  official or government

He –  river or stream

Lai –  come or arrive

Lin –  forest or woods

Mai –  wheat or barley

Qiu –  autumn

Tong –  together or united

Puyi

Jiang

Inghong

Hongmin

Meilin

Hàoyú

Huáng

Haiwei

Fa

Qiáo

Zheng

Gan

Guiying

Xiaojian

Weizhe

Jinping

Changming

Lei

Guozhi

Lok

Chén

Tingguang

Donghai

Junjie

Cūn

Féng

Hong

Bao

Bohai

Jie

Mingyu

Guō

Shoushan

Lí

Zi Han

Ming Tao

Tán

Yize

Shi

Zhiqiang

Qīng

Yijin

Bāo

Yǐn

Susu

Yú

Jianjun

Xiao Dan

Song

Shàng

Yating

On

Peizhi

Jinhai

Yi

Xinyi

Mengyao

Zhōng

Hui Fen

Min

Park

Feiyu

Ran

Boqin

Qī

Jianhong

Guang

Qín

Jun De

Zhèng

Zhengzhong

Haoyu

Weisheng

Zhāng

Bengt

Bolin

Ancient

Aiguo

Yan

Shěn

Su

Manchu

Chōng

Yuan

Tu

Mei-hui

Jǐng

Gǔ

Jia Wei

Delong

Fun Fact: Delong is a Chinese last name, meaning “virtuous” and “long lasting”.

The Most Awesome Chinese Last Names

Chinese surnames were passed down through the father’s line, but recently, some families have chosen to use the mother’s surname instead. It’s also important to note that in China, the last name is written first, followed by the given name.

This is different from Western naming conventions, where the given name is written first, followed by the last name.

Wang –  king or ruler

Li –  plum or plum tree

Zhang –  expand or stretch

Chen –  dawn or morning

Liu –  willow

Yang –  ocean or sea

Huang –  yellow or emperor

Zhao –  bright or shining

Wu –  warrior or militant

Zhou –  peaceful or gentle

Xiaowen

Shǐ

Quan

Lingyun

Guoliang

Fàn

Shui

Dīng

Jiǔ

Sicong

Jing

Zixuan

Shen

Xiaosheng

Duyi

Muyang

Baihu

Deli

Bǎi

Xianliang

Cháng

Xiaosi

Mèng

Yu

Junfeng

Dongyang

Mǎ

Sū

Yunru

Tung

Wenyan

Liang

Taio

Chǔ

Xiaotong

Daoming

Péi

Hé

Fabin

Shào

Zhi Peng

Zhiyuan

Hongbing

Dài

Shuai

Modern

Xióng

Guoqiang

Xún

Zēng

Yuz

Lín

Kao

Huateng

Fengge

Bā

Suí

Duàn

Gāo

Deming

Luó

Long

Shu-hui

Zuko

Jianping

Lú

Jiayi

Cool

Xīn

Yong

Gōng

Cuī

Qián

Jian

Feng

Shunyuan

Zimo

Xing

Tián

Bo

Qiang

Zihao

Gōngsūn

Hai

Fù

Yuán

An

Wén

Traditional

Liáng

Fun Fact : Liáng is a Chinese last name, meaning “bright” or “good”.

Conclusion

Chinese last names hold deep cultural meaning, representing family history and regional ties. These names tell stories of pride and connection, reflecting China’s diverse heritage. Exploring their meanings reveals a rich tapestry of the country’s identity.

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