191+ Chinese Last Names With Meanings

Chinese surnames are among the most ancient and culturally significant in the world, with many tracing their roots back over 3,000 years to the Zhou Dynasty and beyond. Unlike many Western traditions, Chinese surnames (known as Xing) are placed before the given name, signifying the immense importance of family and ancestry over the individual.

In 2026, as the global influence of the Chinese diaspora continues to grow, understanding these 191+ surnames provides a window into a history of dynastic power, philosophical wisdom, and regional identity.

The Celestial Registry: A to Z

A to G – Ancient States and Auspicious Signs

1. Ai (艾) – Meaning “Artemisia” or “Sage.”
2. An (安) – Meaning “Peace” or “Quiet.”
3. Bai (白) – Meaning “White” or “Pure.”
4. Bao (包) – Meaning “Bundle” or “To wrap.”
5. Bi (毕) – Meaning “Complete” or “Finished.”
6. Cai (蔡) – Derived from the ancient State of Cai.
7. Cao (曹) – Meaning “Official” or from the State of Cao.
8. Chang (常) – Meaning “Frequent” or “Ordinary.”
9. Chen (陈) – One of the most common names; refers to the State of Chen.
10. Cheng (程) – Meaning “Journey” or “Formula.”
11. Chu (楚) – Referring to the State of Chu.
12. Cui (崔) – Meaning “Towering” or “High mountain.”
13. Dai (戴) – Meaning “To wear” or “To support.”
14. Deng (邓) – Referring to the State of Deng.
15. Ding (丁) – Meaning “Robust” or “A nail.”
16. Dong (董) – Meaning “To direct” or “To oversee.”
17. Du (杜) – Meaning “Pear tree.”
18. Duan (段) – Meaning “Section” or “Paragraph.”
19. Fan (范) – Meaning “Pattern” or “Model.”
20. Fang (方) – Meaning “Square” or “Direction.”
21. Feng (冯) – Meaning “To gallop” or a place name.
22. Fu (傅) – Meaning “Teacher” or “Assistant.”
23. Gan (甘) – Meaning “Sweet.”
24. Gao (高) – Meaning “High” or “Tall.”
25. Ge (葛) – Meaning “Kudzu vine.”
26. Gong (龚) – Meaning “Respectful.”
27. Gu (顾) – Meaning “To look back” or “To care for.”
28. Guan (关) – Meaning “Pass” or “To close.”
29. Guo (郭) – Meaning “Outer city wall.”

H to M – From Forests to Mountains

1. Han (韩) – Referring to the State of Han.
2. He (何) – Meaning “What” or “Which.”
3. He (贺) – Meaning “To congratulate.”
4. Hong (洪) – Meaning “Flood” or “Great.”
5. Hou (侯) – Meaning “Marquis” or “Noble.”
6. Hu (胡) – Meaning “Beard” or “Foreigner.”
7. Huang (黄) – Meaning “Yellow.”
8. Huo (霍) – Meaning “Suddenly” or “Quickly.”
9. Ji (纪) – Meaning “Era” or “Record.”
10. Jia (贾) – Meaning “Merchant.”
11. Jiang (江) – Meaning “River.”
12. Jiang (姜) – Meaning “Ginger.”
13. Jin (金) – Meaning “Gold” or “Metal.”
14. Kang (康) – Meaning “Healthy” or “Peaceful.”
15. Kong (孔) – Famous as the surname of Confucius; meaning “Hole.”
16. Lai (赖) – Meaning “To rely on.”
17. Lan (兰) – Meaning “Orchid.”
18. Lang (郎) – Meaning “Young man.”
19. Lei (雷) – Meaning “Thunder.”
20. Li (李) – Meaning “Plum tree” (The most common surname in the world).
21. Lian (连) – Meaning “To connect.”
22. Liang (梁) – Referring to the State of Liang.
23. Liao (廖) – A common surname in Southern China.
24. Lin (林) – Meaning “Forest.”
25. Liu (刘) – Meaning “Kill” (The imperial surname of the Han Dynasty).
26. Long (龙) – Meaning “Dragon.”
27. Lu (陆) – Meaning “Land.”
28. Lu (卢) – Referring to a place name.
29. Luo (罗) – Meaning “Gauze” or “Net.”
30. Ma (马) – Meaning “Horse.”
31. Mao (毛) – Meaning “Hair” or “Feather.”
32. Meng (孟) – Meaning “Eldest” or “First.”
33. Mi (米) – Meaning “Rice.”
34. Miao (苗) – Meaning “Sprout” or “Seedling.”

N to T – Rivers, Stars, and Rulers

1. Ni (倪) – Meaning “Childlike.”
2. Nie (聂) – Meaning “To whisper.”
3. Niu (牛) – Meaning “Ox” or “Cow.”
4. Pan (潘) – Referring to the State of Pan.
5. Peng (彭) – Referring to the State of Peng.
6. Pi (皮) – Meaning “Skin” or “Leather.”
7. Pu (蒲) – Meaning “Reed.”
8. Qi (齐) – Referring to the State of Qi.
9. Qian (钱) – Meaning “Money.”
10. Qin (秦) – Referring to the Qin Dynasty/State.
11. Qiu (丘) – Meaning “Hill.”
12. Qu (屈) – Meaning “To bend.”
13. Ren (任) – Meaning “Duty” or “To trust.”
14. Rong (容) – Meaning “Appearance” or “To hold.”
15. Ruan (阮) – An ancient musical instrument.
16. Shao (邵) – Referring to a place name.
17. Shen (沈) – Referring to the State of Shen.
18. Shi (石) – Meaning “Stone.”
19. Shi (史) – Meaning “History” or “Scribe.”
20. Su (苏) – Meaning “Perilla” or “Revive.”
21. Sun (孙) – Meaning “Grandchild.”
22. Tan (谭) – Referring to the State of Tan.
23. Tang (唐) – Referring to the Tang Dynasty.
24. Tao (陶) – Meaning “Pottery.”
25. Tian (田) – Meaning “Field.”
26. Tong (童) – Meaning “Child.”

W to Z – The Great Dynasties

1. Wan (万) – Meaning “Ten thousand.”
2. Wang (王) – Meaning “King” (One of the most common).
3. Wei (魏) – Referring to the State of Wei.
4. Wen (文) – Meaning “Literature” or “Culture.”
5. Wu (吴) – Referring to the State of Wu.
6. Wu (武) – Meaning “Military” or “Martial.”
7. Xi (席) – Meaning “Mat” or “Seat.”
8. Xia (夏) – Referring to the Xia Dynasty.
9. Xiao (肖) – Meaning “Similar.”
10. Xie (谢) – Meaning “To thank.”
11. Xin (辛) – Meaning “Pungent” or “Bitter.”
12. Xiong (熊) – Meaning “Bear.”
13. Xu (许) – Meaning “To allow.”
14. Xu (徐) – Meaning “Slowly.”
15. Yan (严) – Meaning “Strict.”
16. Yan (阎) – Meaning “Gate of a village.”
17. Yang (杨) – Meaning “Poplar tree.”
18. Ye (叶) – Meaning “Leaf.”
19. Yi (易) – Meaning “Easy” or “Change.”
20. Yin (殷) – Referring to the Yin (Shang) Dynasty.
21. Yu (于) – Meaning “In” or “At.”
22. Yu (余) – Meaning “Surplus.”
23. Yuan (袁) – Meaning “Long robe.”
24. Zang (臧) – Meaning “Good.”
25. Zeng (曾) – Meaning “Previously.”
26. Zhang (张) – Meaning “To stretch a bow.”
27. Zhao (赵) – The imperial surname of the Song Dynasty.
28. Zheng (郑) – Referring to the State of Zheng.
29. Zhong (钟) – Meaning “Clock” or “Bell.”
30. Zhou (周) – Referring to the Zhou Dynasty.
31. Zhu (朱) – Meaning “Vermillion” (The Ming Dynasty surname).
32. Zhuang (庄) – Meaning “Farmstead” or “Solemn.”
33. Zuo (左) – Meaning “Left.”

The Origins of Chinese Surnames

In Chinese culture, surnames are categorized by their legendary or historical beginnings:

1. State Names

Most Chinese surnames originate from the names of ancient states from the Spring and Autumn period. When a state was conquered, its people often adopted the state’s name—such as Chen, Song, or Lu—to maintain their identity.

2. Imperial Surnames

Surnames associated with ruling dynasties hold special prestige. Liu was the name of the Han emperors, Zhu belonged to the Ming, and Zhao was the name of the Song emperors.

3. Occupational Names

Similar to Western “Smith” or “Baker,” some Chinese names reflect historical professions. Qian (Money) likely referred to those dealing with finance, while Tao (Pottery) referred to craftsmen.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions

Summary

From the imperial echoes of Zhao to the natural simplicity of Lin, Chinese surnames capture a vast spectrum of history and philosophy. They provide a solid foundation for understanding lineage and identity in the Sinosphere. In 2026, these names continue to bridge ancient dynastic traditions with a modern, globalized identity.