| 25 |
顏 |
Yan |
Surname derived from the Chinese noun yan which means "countenance," "prestige," or "color." Many non-Chinese tribes in ancient China adopted this surname because the pronunciation of their different surnames was very similar. |
10,245,600 |
| 24 |
魏 |
Wei |
Surname based on a toponym referring to the Chinese name Wei for one of the seven leading states during the Spring and Autumn period. It also refers to one of the three major states in the Three Kingdoms period. |
10,465,300 |
| 23 |
唐 |
Tang |
Surname derived from the Chinese adjective tang which means "boastful," "bombastic," or "in vain." The name also refers to the Tang dynasty. |
10,564,800 |
| 22 |
高 |
Gao |
Surname probably based on a moniker or title derived from the Chinese adjective gao which means "tall." The name Kao can be traced back to the time when one bearer of it designed houses for the Yellow Emperor. |
10,670,200 |
| 21 |
鄭 |
Zheng |
Surname derived from the Chinese adjective zheng which means "serious." The name also refers to a vassal state of the Zhou dynasty, located in present-day's Henan Province. It was a major surname of the people with high status during the Tang Dynasty. |
11,611,400 |
| 20 |
郭 |
Guo |
Surname based on a toponym or occupational surname. It derived from the Chinese noun guo meaning "the outer wall of the city." |
12,291,700 |
| 19 |
何 |
He |
Surname derived from the Chinese word he which refers to the question words "how," "what," "why," "where," or "who." |
12,573,800 |
| 18 |
江 |
Jiang |
Surname based on a toponym derived from the Chinese word jiang meaning "river." The name also refers to the Yangtze River. |
14,101,600 |
| 17 |
胡 |
Hu |
Surname based on a toponym probably referring to the Chinese state Hu of the Spring and Autumn period. The name also refers to people or things that are from countries outside of China. The Chinese adjective hu means "reckless." |
14,959,200 |
| 16 |
林 |
Lin |
Surname based on a toponym or occupational surname. The name derived from the Chinese noun lin which means "forest." |
14,967,200 |
| 15 |
呂 |
Lu |
Surname derived from the Chinese noun lu which means "a musical note of a twelve-pitch scale." |
15,140,300 |
| 14 |
孫 |
Sun |
Surname derived from the Chinese word sun which means "grandson." It also refers to Sun Tzu, the military general who wrote The Art of War, one of the most influential books on warfare, business tactics, and legal strategies. |
18,069,300 |
| 13 |
于 |
Yu |
Surname based on the Chinese word yu which means "in," "at," "to take," or "to proceed." It was a surname derived from the state of Yu (邘) during the Western Zhou period, by using the left side of the character only. |
18,227,600 |
| 12 |
周 |
Zhu |
Surname derived from the Chinese word zhou which could have one of several meanings: "week," "circumference," "thoughtful," "thoroughly," or "to support." |
18,826,400 |
| 11 |
趙 |
Zhao |
Surname based on a toponym referring to the Chinese name Zhao for a state during the Warring States Period. |
21,095,800 |
| 10 |
周 |
Zhou |
Surname derived from the Chinese word zhou which could have one of several meanings: "week," "circumference," "thoughtful," "thoroughly," or "to support." |
21,590,300 |
| 101 |
何 |
Ho |
Surname derived from the Chinese word he which refers to the question words "how," "what," "why," "where," or "who" when used as a prefix. This surname also refers to the title of a government official, especially for a woman in the Han Dynasty. |
2,286,400 |
| 100 |
張 |
Cheung |
Surname derived from the Chinese verb zhang which could mean "to draw," "to display," or "to indulge." |
2,326,100 |
| 9 |
黃 |
Huang |
Surname derived from the Chinese adjective huang which means "yellow." Due to its character's shape, this name is often referred to as "the Huang with a big belly." |
23,534,100 |
| 99 |
凌 |
Ling |
Surname derived from the Chinese word ling which means "ice," "to approach," or "to overbear." |
2,364,210 |
| 91 |
華 |
Hua |
Surname derived from the Chinese word hua which means "magnificent" or "flourishing." It also refers to the name China. |
2,368,980 |
| 98 |
倪 |
Ni |
Surname derived from the Chinese noun ni which means "tiny," "young," or "weak." |
2,390,680 |
| 92 |
鮑 |
Bao |
Surname derived from the Chinese noun bao which means "abalone." It developed during the Spring and Autumn period. |
2,444,150 |
| 94 |
孔 |
Kong |
Surname derived from the Chinese noun kong which means "an opening" or "a hole." |
2,462,680 |
| 90 |
段 |
Duan |
Surname derived from the Chinese word duan which refers to the quantifier used in the expression of length. |
2,471,150 |
| 93 |
曲 |
Qu |
Surname derived from the Chinese word qu which means "to bend," "curved," "crooked," "song," "wrong," or "melody." |
2,506,090 |
| 88 |
賴 |
Lai |
Surname based on a toponym referring to the Chinese state Lai, one of the states in the Warring States Period. |
2,524,090 |
| 87 |
祝 |
Chu |
Surname derived from the Chinese word zhu meaning "to express good wishes" or "to pray for blessings." The name could have various origins, one of which refers to the title of a government official in ancient China. |
2,549,500 |
| 95 |
官 |
Guan |
Surname probably based on a title. It derived from the Chinese noun guan which means "a government official." |
2,600,320 |
| 97 |
葛 |
Ge |
Surname based on a toponym referring to the Chinese state Ge which existed from the Xia dynasty to the Zhou dynasty. |
2,624,670 |
| 8 |
許 |
Xu |
Surname derived from the Chinese word xu which means "to permit," "to praise," or "perhaps." |
26,333,500 |
| 89 |
湯 |
Tong |
Surname probably based on a toponym or occupational surname. It derived from the Chinese word tang which means "hot springs," "hot water," or "soup." |
2,655,370 |
| 7 |
伍 |
Wu |
Surname based on the Chinese word wu which refers to either "five" or the ancient "basic five-man squad army." |
27,030,200 |
| 85 |
向 |
Xiang |
Surname derived from the Chinese word xiang which means "direction," "trend," "to turn towards," or "all along." |
2,811,540 |
| 84 |
萬 |
Wan |
Surname derived from the Chinese word wan which means "ten thousand," "a great number," or "by all means." |
2,974,590 |
| 6 |
楊 |
Yang |
Surname probably based on a toponym or occupational surname. It derived from the Chinese word yang which means "poplar." This surname is common in Korea as well. |
30,551,600 |
| 83 |
柳 |
Lau |
Surname based on the Chinese noun liu which means "a willow." It is a common surname in Korea. |
3,118,050 |
| 86 |
熊 |
Xiong |
Surname derived from the Chinese word xiong which could have the meaning "a bear," "bright," or "to scold." |
3,157,760 |
| 96 |
邵 |
Shao |
Surname based on a toponym referring to the Chinese name Shao for an ancient place in the present-day Shanxi Province. |
3,179,990 |
| 82 |
白 |
Bai |
Surname derived from the Chinese word bai meaning "plain," white," or "pure." This surname was probably introduced by the Mongols. |
3,250,930 |
| 81 |
任 |
Ren |
Surname derived from the Chinese word ren which means "an official post," "to allow," or "to appoint." |
3,329,280 |
| 80 |
郝 |
Hao |
Surname based on a toponym referring to the Chinese city Hao which was located in the present-day Shaanxi province. |
3,449,440 |
| 79 |
侯 |
Hou |
Surname derived from the Chinese verb hou which means "to wait." The name also refers to a nobility rank in China. |
3,481,210 |
| 78 |
廖 |
Liao |
Surname based on a toponym referring to the Chinese name Liao, a state during the Spring and Autumn period. It has over 15 different spellings. One of the most common spellings is Liao, used mainly in Mandarin speaking areas. |
3,557,440 |
| 77 |
毛 |
Mao |
Surname derived from the Chinese noun mao which means "hair." It also refersred to Chairman Mao. |
3,593,440 |
| 76 |
鄒 |
Zou |
Surname based on a toponym referring to the Chinese name Zou for a state during the Zhou Dynasty. |
3,780,310 |
| 75 |
洪 |
Hong |
Surname derived from the Chinese adjective and noun hong which means "immense," "vast," or "flood." It also refers to irrigation works and could therefore have developed as an occupational surname or toponym. |
3,870,830 |
| 73 |
龔 |
Gong |
Surname derived from the Chinese word gong which means "to give" or "to present." |
3,886,710 |
| 72 |
伊 |
Yi |
Surname derived from the Chinese word yi which means "he," "she," "this," or "that." |
3,895,180 |
| 71 |
薛 |
Xue |
Surname based on a toponym referring to the Chinese name Xue for an ancient state located in today's Shandong province. |
4,087,350 |
| 69 |
紀 |
Ji |
Surname derived from the Chinese word ji which means "historical account." It developed during the era of the ancient state of Ji. |
4,124,400 |
| 68 |
齊 |
Qi |
Surname derived from the Chinese word qi which means "at the same level with," "together," or "uniform." |
4,148,230 |
| 67 |
陶 |
Tao |
Surname probably based on a toponym, an occupational surname, or an affectionate moniker. It derived from the Chinese word tao which means "to cultivate," "a pottery," or "happy." |
4,315,510 |
| 66 |
孟 |
Meng |
Surname derived from the Chinese word meng which means "the first item in a series." |
4,340,920 |
| 65 |
文 |
Wen |
Surname derived from the Chinese noun wen which means "literature." The name can also refer to an old Chinese currency or to the plural nouns "articles" or "languages." |
4,477,500 |
| 64 |
邱 |
Qiu |
Surname derived from the Chinese noun qiu which means "a hill." It derived from a different surname, 丘, Qiu. It was changed from 丘 because the people wanted to avoid a taboo. |
4,492,320 |
| 74 |
賈 |
Jia |
Surname probably based on an occupational surname. It derived from the Chinese word jia which means "merchants," "to buy," or "to trade." |
4,552,670 |
| 62 |
覃 |
Qin |
Surname derived from the Chinese word qin which means "to spread to," "deep," or "vast." |
4,562,200 |
| 61 |
錢 |
Qian |
Surname derived from the Chinese noun qian which means "money." It was the imperial surname of the Song dynasty. |
4,591,850 |
| 60 |
戴 |
Dai |
Surname derived from the Chinese verb dai meaning "to put on." |
4,596,080 |
| 58 |
崔 |
Cui |
Surname derived from the Chinese word cui which means "high" or "lofty." This name is particularly common in Shandong and Henan. |
4,687,140 |
| 70 |
章 |
Chang |
Surname derived from the Chinese noun zhang which could have one of several meanings: "a chapter," "rules," "order," "stamp," or "badge." It is one of the oldest surnames of China. |
4,722,600 |
| 63 |
鐘 |
Zhong |
Surname derived from the Chinese noun zhong which means "clocks." Clocks should not be given as presents to Chinese because the phrase "to give a clock" sounds like "to attend a funeral" in Chinese. |
4,860,770 |
| 57 |
夏 |
Xia |
Surname derived from the Chinese word xia which means "summer" or "big." It also refers to the Xia dynasty. |
4,904,180 |
| 5 |
劉 |
Liu |
Surname probably based on a moniker, title, or occupational surname. The name derived from the Chinese word liu which means "axe-like weapon." |
50,562,700 |
| 59 |
譚 |
Tan |
Surname based on a toponym referring to the Chinese name Tan for a state during the Zhou Dynasty. It is also the Chinese verb for "to talk." |
5,318,690 |
| 56 |
蘇 |
Su |
Surname derived from the Chinese verb su which means "to come back to life." |
5,384,330 |
| 50 |
田 |
Tian |
Surname based on a title or toponym. It derived from the Chinese noun tian which means "field." It refers to an ancient official title. |
5,389,100 |
| 49 |
杜 |
Du |
Surname derived from the Chinese verb du which means "to shut" or "to prevent." The name also refers to birch-leaf pears and could therefore have developed as a toponym or an occupational surname. The earliest person recorded with this surname was an official in charge of the diet of the Yellow Emperor. |
5,478,030 |
| 4 |
李 |
Li |
Surname based on a toponym, occupational surname, or ornamental surname. It derived from the Chinese noun lizi which means "plums" or "plum trees." |
54,941,800 |
| 48 |
殷 |
Yin |
Surname derived from the Chinese adjective yin which means "abundant," "prosperous," "polite," "hospitable," or "sorrowful." |
5,674,960 |
| 47 |
曾 |
Zeng |
Surname derived from the Chinese adverb zeng which means "once," "already," "before," or "at one time in the past." |
5,962,940 |
| 46 |
方 |
Fang |
Surname derived from the Chinese noun fang which could mean "direction," "prescription," "side," or "square." This surname has been around for more than 4,700 years; it could have derived as a toponym referring to Fang mountain in China's present-day Henan Province. |
5,997,350 |
| 45 |
鄧 |
Deng |
Surname based on a toponym referring to the Chinese name Deng for a Chinese vassal state during the Shang dynasty, the Zhou dynasty, and the Spring and Autumn period. The state was ruled by the Man family in present-day's Henan or Hubei provinces. |
6,284,810 |
| 44 |
傅 |
Fu |
Surname derived from the Chinese word fu which means "to assist." The name Fu was given to a prime minister as his surname. It developed in the Shang dynasty. |
6,332,980 |
| 55 |
丁 |
Ding |
Surname derived from the Chinese word ding, meaning "adult males" or "vigorous." The name developed during the Western Zhou period. |
6,335,630 |
| 43 |
姚 |
Yao |
Surname based on an affectionate moniker. It derived from the Chinese word yao which means "handsome" or "elegant." This is one of the oldest Chinese surnames. |
6,444,680 |
| 42 |
古 |
Gu |
Surname derived from the Chinese adjective gu which could mean "old" or "simple." |
6,660,670 |
| 40 |
蔡 |
Cai |
Surname derived from the Chinese noun cai which means "large turtles." In ancient China, the shells of large turtles were used in divination. It also refers to a state in the Zhou Dynasty. |
6,671,260 |
| 3 |
章 |
Zhang |
Surname derived from the Chinese noun zhang which means "a chapter" or "a badge." |
67,746,400 |
| 53 |
葉 |
Ye |
Surname derived from the Chinese noun ye which means "leaf." This surname was particularly common in southern China. |
6,854,420 |
| 39 |
潘 |
Pan |
Surname probably based on a toponym. The name could have derived from the Chinese word pan which means "barbarians." It also refers to water used to rinse rice. |
6,895,180 |
| 54 |
董 |
Dong |
Surname based on a title or occupational surname. It derived from the Chinese word dong, meaning "to supervise." It was known to be the title of an ancient Chinese official. |
7,067,760 |
| 38 |
范 |
Fan |
Surname based on a toponym referring to the Chinese city Fan, which was located around present-day Fan County of Henan Province. |
7,162,520 |
| 52 |
彭 |
Peng |
Surname based on the Chinese noun peng which means "longevity." It also refers to the 800-year-old legend Peng Zu. |
7,380,620 |
| 51 |
金 |
Jin |
Surname derived from the Chinese word jin which means "gold." It is a popular surname in Korea. |
7,460,560 |
| 2 |
王 |
Wang |
Surname derived from the Chinese adjective wang which means "yellow." The name is often referred to as "three-horizontal-strokes Wang." |
74,793,500 |
| 41 |
蕭 |
Xiao |
Surname derived from the Chinese adjective and noun xiao which could have one of several meanings: "respectful," "quiet," "lonely," or "oxtail southernwood." It was the surname of royal families in the Southern Qi, Southern Liang, and Western Liang dynasties. |
7,508,740 |
| 37 |
曹 |
Cao |
Surname derived from the Chinese word cao, used as plural particle in ancient China. The name also refers to the warlord Cao Cao. |
7,652,730 |
| 35 |
元 |
Yuan |
Surname derived from the Chinese word yuan which means "first," "origin," or "head." The earliest occurrences of this surname can be traced back to the Shang dynasty. |
7,755,960 |
| 33 |
韓 |
Han |
Surname derived from the Chinese noun han, meaning "a fence." The name also refers to two feudal states in the Zhou dynasty. It could also refer to a shortened form of "Korea." |
7,813,130 |
| 34 |
鄭 |
Cheng |
Surname derived from the Chinese adjective zheng which means "serious." The name also refers to a vassal state of the Zhou dynasty, located in present-day's Henan Province. It was a major surname of the people with high status during the Tang Dynasty. |
8,142,400 |
| 36 |
梁 |
Liang |
Surname based on a toponym or occupational surname. It derived from the Chinese noun liang which means "roof beams." The name could also refer to Liang Mountain located in the southwest of today's Shandong Province. |
8,490,740 |
| 32 |
馮 |
Feng |
Surname derived from the Chinese verb feng, meaning "to gallop." It combines 马 (horse) and the radical "ice" on the left. |
8,664,900 |
| 31 |
謝 |
Xie |
Surname derived from the Chinese verb xie which means "to decline," "to thank," or "to excuse oneself." |
8,757,010 |
| 30 |
馬 |
Ma |
Surname derived from the Chinese noun ma which means "horse." This is one of the most common surnames within the Chinese Muslim community. |
8,836,420 |
| 29 |
羅 |
Luo |
Surname probably based on an occupational surname or moniker. It derived from the Chinese noun luo which means "nets used to catch birds." Many non-Han Chinese changed their family names to Luo in the ancient time. |
9,055,580 |
| 28 |
宋 |
Song |
Surname based on a toponym referring to the Chinese name Shen for a state in the Spring and Autumn period. |
9,096,350 |
| 27 |
申 |
Shen |
Surname based on a toponym referring to the Chinese name Shen for a state established by the Si family during the Xia dynasty. The word Shen means "to state" or "to explain." It also refers to the ninth of the twelve terrestrial branches. |
9,948,120 |
| 26 |
施 |
Shi |
Surname derived from the Chinese verb shi which means "to apply," "to give," "to use," or "to bestow." It also refers to one of the states in the Xia dynasty, located in present-day Enshi City in the Hubei Province. |
9,996,290 |
China