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A Chinese compound surname is a Chinese surname using more than one character. Many of these compound surnames derive from Zhou dynasty Chinese noble and official titles, professions, place names and other areas, to serve a purpose. Some are originally from various tribes that lived in ancient China, while others were created by joining two one-character family names. Only a few of these names (e.g. Ouyang , Shangguan , Sima , Zhuge , Situ , Xiahou , Huangfu , and Huyan ) can still be found quite commonly in modern times with Ouyang, Shangguan, Sima and Situ appearing most frequently. Many clans eventually took on a single-character surname for various reasons. Lists below are arranged alphabetically by their Mandarin pinyin spellings.
Native Chinese compound surnames
| Chinese characters | Meaning or origin | Mandarin (Pinyin) |
Cantonese (Jyutping) |
Hokkien (POJ) |
Vietnamese | Korean | Japanese | Notable people |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 百里 | Hundred li | Bǎilǐ | Baak Lei | Bách Lý | Baengni; Baengri (백리) |
Hyakuri | Baili Xi | |
| 淳于 | An ancient Chinese kingdom | Chúnyú | Seon Jyu | Thuần Vu | Sun-u (순우) |
Jun'u | Chunyu Qiong | |
| 第五 | The fifth | Dìwǔ | Dai Ng | Đệ Ngũ | Je-o (제오) |
Daigo | Diwu Qi | |
| 東方 (东方) | "East", descendants of Fuxi clan according to legend | Dōngfāng | Dung Fong | Đông Phương | Dongbang (동방) |
Tōhō | Dongfang Shuo (東方朔) | |
| 東閣 (东阁) | "Eastern Pavilion" | Dōnggé | Dung Gok | Đông Các | Donggak (동각) |
Tōkaku | ||
| 東郭 (东郭) | "Eastern Wall" | Dōngguō | Dung Gwok | Đông Quách | Donggwak (동곽) |
Tōkaku | ||
| 東門 (东门) | "East Gate", place of residence, from Zhou dynasty | Dōngmén | Dung Mun | Đông Môn | Dongmun (동문) |
Tōmon | ||
| 端木 | Duānmù | Dyun Muk | Tuan-bo̍k | Đoan Mộc | Danmok (단목) |
Tanboku | Duanmu Ci (端木賜), San Duanmu | |
| 公孫 (公孙) | "Dukes' descendants", an address of the noble descendants in the Spring and Autumn period | Gōngsūn | Gung Syun | Kong-sun | Công Tôn | Gongson (공손) |
Kōson | Gongsun Zan, Gongsun Long |
| 公羊 | Branch of Gongsun | Gōngyáng | Gung Joeng | Kong-iông | Công Dương | Gong-yang (공양) |
Kōyō | Gongyang Gao (公羊高) |
| 公冶 | Branch of Ji, from courtesy name of Jiye (季冶) of Lu in the Eastern Zhou dynasty | Gōngyě | Gung Je | Công Dã | Gong-ya (공야) |
Kōya | Gongye Chang (公冶長) | |
| 公西 | Gōngxī | Gung Sai | Công Tây | Gongseo (공서) |
Kōsai | Gongxi Chi (公西赤) | ||
| 毌丘 | Place name | Guànqiū | Kwun Jau | Quán Khâu | Gwan-gu (관구) |
Kankyū | Guanqiu Jian | |
| 穀梁 (谷梁) | Sorghum grains (?) | Gǔliáng | Guk Loeng | Cốc Lương | Gongnyang; Gongryang (곡량) |
Kokuryō | ||
| 皇甫 | Branch of Zi (子), from 皇父, the courtesy name of Huangfu Chongshi (皇父充石) of the Duchy of Song in the Eastern Zhou dynasty | Huángfǔ | Wong Pou | Hông-hú | Hoàng Phủ | Hwangbo (황보) |
Kōfu | Huangfu Song, Huangfu Ran (皇甫冉) |
| 黄斯 | Huangsi | Hoàng Tư | ||||||
| 蘭向(兰向) | Lanxiang | Lan Hướng | ||||||
| 令狐 | Place name | Línghú | Ling Wu | Lîng-hô· | Lệnh Hồ | Yeongho; Ryeongho (령호) |
Reiko | Linghu Chu |
| 甪里 | Place name | Lùlǐ | Luk Lei | Lộ Lý | Nongni; Rongri (록리) |
Rokuri | ||
| 閭丘 (闾丘) | Place name | Lǘqiū | Leoi Jau | Lư Khâu | Yeogu; Ryeogu (려구) |
Ryokyū | Luqiu Luwei (閭丘露薇) | |
| 南宮 (南宫) | Southern Palace | Nángōng | Naam Gung | Nam Cung | Namgung (남궁) |
Nankyū | Nangong Kuo (Western Zhou) | |
| 歐陽 (欧阳) | South of Mt. Ou Yu | Ōuyáng | AuJoeng | Au-iông | Âu Dương | Gu-yang (구양) |
Ōyō | Jimmy O. Yang |
| 上官 | High official (place name) | Shàngguān | Soeng Gun | Siōng-koan | Thượng Quan | Sanggwan (상관) |
Shōkan | Empress Shangguan, Shangguan Wan'er, Shangguan Yunxiang |
| 申屠 | "butcher from Shen" | Shēntú | San Tou | Thân Đồ | Sindo (신도) |
Shinto | Shentu Jian (申屠建) | |
| 司馬 (司马) | "Master of the Horse" or "Marshal", one of the Three Excellencies from the Han dynasty | Sīmǎ | Si Maa | Su-má | Tư Mã | Sama (사마) |
Shiba | Sima Qian, emperors of the Jin dynasty |
| 司徒 | "Minister over the Masses", one of the Three Excellencies from the Han dynasty | Sītú | Si Tou (SooHoo in Toisan) | Su-tô· | Tư Đồ | Sado (사도) |
Shito | Szeto Wah, Sitoh Yih Pin |
| 司空 | "Minister of Works", one of the Three Excellencies from the Han dynasty | Sīkōng | Si Hung | Tư Không | Sagong (사공) |
Shikū | Sikong Ting (司空頲) | |
| 司寇 | "Minister of Justice" | Sīkòu | Si Kau | Tư Khấu | Sagu (사구) |
Shikō | ||
| 太史 | "Grand Historian", an imperial official title | Tàishǐ | Taai Si | Thái Sử | Taesa (태사) |
Taishi | Taishi Ci | |
| 澹臺 (澹台) | Tántái | Taam Toi | Đam Đài | Damdae (담대) |
Tantai | Tantai Mieming | ||
| 聞人 (闻人) | "famous person", descendants of Shaozheng Mao (少正卯) | Wénrén | Man Jan | Văn Nhân | Mun-in (문인) |
Bunjin | ||
| 巫馬 (巫马) | "Horse" | Wūmǎ | Ng Maa | Vu Mã | Uma (우마)) |
Goba | Wuma Shi (巫馬施) | |
| 夏侯 | "Marquess Xia", from noble title granted to the descendants of Yu the Great by Duke of Lu in the Spring and Autumn period | Xiàhóu | Haa Hau | Hā-hô͘ | Hạ Hầu | Hahu (하후) |
Kakō | Xiahou Ying, Xiahou Dun |
| 鮮于 (鲜于) | Xiānyú | Sin Jyu | Tiên Vu | Seon-u (선우) |
Sen'u | Xianyu Zhongtong (鮮于仲通) | ||
| 西門 (西门) | "West Gate", place of residence, from Marquessate of Zheng in the Spring and Autumn period | Xīmén | Sai Mun | Tây Môn | Seomun (서문) |
Saimon | Ximen Bao | |
| 軒轅 (轩辕) | The (personal) name of the Yellow Emperor | Xuānyuán | Hin Jyun | Hian-oàn | Hiên Viên | Heon-won (헌원) |
Ken'en | Yellow Emperor |
| 楊子 (杨子) | A branch of 楊 (Yang) | Yángzǐ | Joeng Zi | Dương Tử | Yangja (양자) |
Yōshi | ||
| 樂正 (乐正) | Minister of music | Yuèzhèng | Ngok Zing | Nhạc Chính | Akjeong (악정) |
Gakusei | ||
| 鍾離 (钟离) | A country in Chunqiu | Zhōnglí | Zung Lei | Chung Ly | Jongni; Jongri (종리) |
Shōri | Zhongli Mu (鐘離牧), Zhongli Mo | |
| 諸葛 (诸葛) | A branch of 葛 (Ge) | Zhūgě | Zyu Got | Chu-kat | Gia Cát (Chư Cát) |
Jegal (제갈) |
Shokatsu | Jegal Je-min Zhuge Liang |
| 祝融 | God of Fire | Zhùróng | Zuk Jung | Chúc Dung | Chug-yung (축융) |
Shukuyū | Lady Zhurong | |
| 子車 (子车) | Zǐjū | Zi Geoi | Tử Xa | Jageo (자거) |
Shikyo | |||
| 左人 | Left-handed man | Zuǒrén | Zo Jan | Tả Nhân | Jwa-in (좌인) |
Sajin |
Double-barrelled surnames
Double-barrelled surname (雙姓) occurs sometimes when both families of a marriage wish to pass down their surnames, or when a child wishes to commemorate both the biological and foster parents. This is often distinguished from compound surnames (複姓), which cannot be split into two single-character surnames. A doubled-barrelled surname is also distinguished from a married name (冠夫姓), as married names are not passed down to the next generations.
| Chinese Characters | Mandarin (Pinyin) |
Cantonese (Jyutping) |
Hokkien (POJ) |
Vietnamese | Korean | Japanese | Notable People |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 范姜 | Fànjiāng | Hoān-khiong | Phạm Khương | Fan Chiang Tai-chi | |||
| 陸費 (陆费) | Lùfèi (Lùbì) | Luk Fai | Lục Phí | Yugbi; Ryugbi (륙비) |
Rikuhi | Lufei Kui | |
| 葉劉 (叶刘) | Yèliú | Ia̍p-lâu | Diệp Lưu | ||||
| 張簡 (张简) | Zhāngjiǎn | Tiuⁿ-kán | Trương Giản | Louis Ozawa Changchien | |||
| 張廖 (张廖) | Zhāngliào | Tiuⁿ-liāu | Trương Liêu |
Non-Han surnames
Peoples other than Han have resided in China and have their names transliterated into Chinese. A large number of these non-Han surnames contain more than one Chinese character.
| Chinese Characters | Meaning/Origin | Origin | Mandarin (Pinyin) |
Cantonese (Jyutping) |
Hokkien (POJ) |
Vietnamese | Korean | Japanese | Notable People |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 阿史那 | Wolf (cf. Asena) | Possibly Turkic | Āshǐnà | Aa Si Naa | A Sử Na | Asana (아사나) |
Ashina | Empress Ashina | |
| 愛新覺羅 (爱新觉罗) |
Gold | Manchu | Àixīnjuéluó (Aisin Gioro) |
Oi San Gok Lo | Ài-sin-kak-lô | Ái Tân Giác La | Aesin-gangna; Aesin-gangra (애신각라) |
Aishinkakura | Qing rulers |
| 孛兒只斤 (孛儿只斤) |
Dark blue eyes | Mongol | Bó'érzhījīn (Borjigin) |
But Ji Zi Gan | Bột Nhi Chỉ Cân (Bát Nhĩ Tế Cát Đặc) |
Bar-ajigeun (발아지근) |
Botsujishikin | Genghis Khan | |
| 獨孤 (独孤) | Xianbei | Dúgū | Duk Gu | Độc Cô | Dokgo (독고) |
Dokko/Dokuko | Dugu Qieluo | ||
| 爾朱 (尔朱) | Xiongnu | Erzhu | Ji Zyu | Nhĩ Chu | Iju (이주) |
Jishu | Erzhu Rong, Erzhu Zhao | ||
| 賀蘭 (贺兰) | Helan Mountains | Xianbei | Hèlán | Ho Laan | Hạ Lan | Haran (하란) |
Garan | Princess Dowager Helan | |
| 赫連 (赫连) | Xiongnu | Hèlián | Haak Lin | Hách Liên | Hyeongnyeon; Hyeongryeon (혁련) |
Kakuren | Helian Bobo | ||
| 賀若 (贺若) | Xianbei | Hèruò | Ho Joek | Hạ Nhược | Hayak (하약) |
Kajaku | Heruo Bi (賀若弼) | ||
| 赫舍里 | Water spring | Manchu | Hèsheli | Haak Se Lei | Hách Xá Lý | Hyeoksari (혁사리) |
Kakushari | Hešeri Sonin, Empress Xiaochengren, Songgotu | |
| 万俟 | Xianbei | Mòqí | Mak Kei | Mặc Kỳ | Mukgi (묵기) |
Bokuji | Moqi Chounu (万俟醜奴) | ||
| 慕容 | Xianbei | Mùróng | Mou Jung | Bō·-iông | Mộ Dung | Moyong (모용) |
Boyū | Murong Huang | |
| 納蘭 (纳兰) | Variant of 叶赫那拉 (Yehenala) | Manchu | Nàlán | Naap Laan | Nạp Lan | Namnan; Namran (납란) |
Nōran | Nalan Xingde | |
| 星團 (星团) | Band/group/cluster of stars | Xīngtuán | Sing Tyun | Shin-dan (신단) |
Seidan | ||||
| 呼延 | Xiongnu | Hūyán | Fu Jin | Hô Diên | Hoyeon (호연) |
Koen | Empress Huyan, Huyan Zan | ||
| 沙吒 | Göktürk | Shāzhā | Saa Zaa | Sa Tra | Sata (사타) |
Sata | Shazha Zhongyi (沙吒忠義) | ||
| 拓跋 | Xianbei | Tuòbá | Tok Bat | Thác Bạt | Takbal (탁발) |
Takubatsu | Emperors of Northern Wei, formerly surname of Tangut rulers, Western Xia | ||
| 完顏 (完颜) | Jurchen | Wányán | Jyun Ngaan | Hoàn Nhan | Wan-an (완안) |
Kangan | Wanyan Aguda | ||
| 耶律 | Khitan | Yēlǜ | Ye Leut | Da Luật (Gia Luật) |
Yayul (야율) |
Yaritsu/Jaritsu | Emperors of Liao dynasty, Yelü Chucai | ||
| 尉遲 (尉迟) | Xianbei | Yùchí | Wat Ci | Uất Trì (Úy Trì) |
Ulji (울지) |
Utchi/Utsuchi | Yuchi Jingde, Yuchi Jiong | ||
| 宇文 | Xianbei | Yǔwén | Jyu Man | Vũ Văn | Umun (우문) |
Ubun | Yuwen Tai, emperors of Northern Zhou | ||
| 長孫 (长孙) | Eldest grandson | Xianbei | Zhǎngsūn | Zoeng Syun | Trưởng Tôn | Jangson (장손) |
Chōson | Zhangsun Wuji, Empress Zhangsun (wife of Emperor Taizong of Tang) | |
| 山口 | Gateway/opening of the mountain | Japanese | Shānkǒu | San Hau | Soaⁿ-kháu | Sơn Khẩu | Sangu (산구) |
Yamaguchi | Yoshiko Yamaguchi (Shānkǒu Shūzǐ) |
| 川島 | River on the island | Japanese | Chuāndǎo | Cyun Dou | Chhoan-tó | Đảo Xuyên | Cheondo (천도) |
Kawashima | Yoshiko Kawashima (Chuāndǎo Fāngzi) |
| 伊達 | Elegance | Japanese | Yīdá | Ji Daat | I-ta̍t | Y Đạt | Idal (이달) |
Date | Date Junnosuke (Yīdá Shùnzhīzhù) |
See also
References
- 遠東簡明漢英辭典 (in Chinese). 遠東圖書公司. 編審委員會. 1997. p. 861. ISBN 9789576123467.