# Chinese compound surname

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 [歐陽/欧阳], Shangguan [上官], Sima [司馬/司马], Zhuge [諸葛/诸葛], Situ [司徒], Xiahou [夏侯], Huangfu [皇甫], and Huyan [呼延]) 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 Han compound surnames

| Chinese characters | Meaning or origin | Mandarin (Pinyin) | Cantonese (Jyutping) | Hokkien (POJ) | Vietnamese | Korean | Japanese | Notable people |
| 百里 | Hundred li | Bǎilǐ | Baak$^3$ Lei$^5$ | | Bách Lý | Baengni; Baengri (백리) | Hyakuri | Baili Xi |
| 淳于 | An ancient Chinese kingdom | Chúnyú | Seon$^4$ Jyu$^1$ | | Thuần Vu | Sunu (순우) | Jun'u | Chunyu Qiong |
| 第五 | The fifth | Dìwǔ | Dai$^6$ Ng$^5$ | | Đệ Ngũ | Jeo (제오) | Daigo | Diwu Qi |
| 東方 (东方) | "East", descendants of Fuxi clan according to legend | Dōngfāng | Dung$^1$ Fong$^1$ | | Đông Phương | Dongbang (동방) | Tōhō | Dongfang Shuo (東方朔) |
| 東閣 (东阁) | "Eastern Pavilion" | Dōnggé | Dung$^1$ Gok$^3$ | | Đông Các | Donggak (동각) | Tōkaku | |
| 東郭 (东郭) | "Eastern Wall" | Dōngguō | Dung$^1$ Gwok$^3$ | | Đông Quách | Donggwak (동곽) | Tōkaku | |
| 東門 (东门) | "East Gate", place of residence, from Zhou dynasty | Dōngmén | Dung$^1$ Mun$^4$ | | Đông Môn | Dongmun (동문) | Tōmon | |
| 端木 | | Duānmù | Dyun$^1$ Muk$^6$ | 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$^1$ Syun$^1$ | Kong-sun | Công Tôn | Gongson (공손) | Kōson | Gongsun Zan, Gongsun Long |
| 公羊 | Branch of Gongsun | Gōngyáng | Gung$^1$ Joeng$^4$ | Kong-iông | Công Dương | Gongyang (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$^1$ Je$^5$ | | Công Dã | Gong-ya (공야) | Kōya | Gongye Chang (公冶長) |
| 公西 | | Gōngxī | Gung$^1$ Sai$^1$ | | Công Tây | Gongseo (공서) | Kōsai | Gongxi Chi (公西赤) |
| 毌丘 | Place name | Guànqiū | Kwun$^3$ Jau$^1$ | | Quán Khâu | Gwan-gu (관구) | Kankyū | Guanqiu Jian |
| 穀梁 (谷梁) | Sorghum grains (?) | Gǔliáng | Guk$^1$ Loeng$^4$ | | 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$^4$ Pou$^2$ | 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$^6$ Wu$^4$ | Lîng-hô· | Lệnh Hồ | Yeongho; Ryeongho (령호) | Reiko | Linghu Chu |
| 甪里 | Place name | Lùlǐ | Luk$^6$ Lei$^5$ | | Lộ Lý | Nongni; Rongri (록리) | Rokuri | |
| 閭丘 (闾丘) | Place name | Lǘqiū | Leoi$^4$ Jau$^1$ | | Lư Khâu | Yeogu; Ryeogu (려구) | Ryokyū | Luqiu Luwei (閭丘露薇) |
| 南宮 (南宫) | Southern Palace | Nángōng | Naam$^4$ Gung$^1$ | | Nam Cung | Namgung (남궁) | Nankyū | Nangong Kuo (Western Zhou) |
| 歐陽 (欧阳) | South of Mt. Ou Yu | Ōuyáng | Au$^1$Joeng$^4$ | Au-iông | Âu Dương | Guyang (구양) | Ōyō | Jimmy O. Yang |
| 上官 | High official (place name) | Shàngguān | Soeng$^6$ Gun$^1$ | Siōng-koan | Thượng Quan | Sanggwan (상관) | Shōkan | Empress Shangguan, Shangguan Wan'er, Shangguan Yunxiang |
| 申屠 | "butcher from Shen" | Shēntú | San$^1$ Tou$^4$ | | 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$^1$ Maa$^5$ | 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$^1$ Tou$^4$ (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$^1$ Hung$^1$ | | Tư Không | Sagong (사공) | Shikū | Sikong Ting (司空頲) |
| 司寇 | "Minister of Justice" | Sīkòu | Si$^1$ Kau$^3$ | | Tư Khấu | Sagu (사구) | Shikō | |
| 太史 | "Grand Historian", an imperial official title | Tàishǐ | Taai$^3$ Si$^2$ | | Thái Sử | Taesa (태사) | Taishi | Taishi Ci |
| 澹臺 (澹台) | | Tántái | Taam$^4$ Toi$^4$ | | Đam Đài | Damdae (담대) | Tantai | Tantai Mieming |
| 聞人 (闻人) | "famous person", descendants of Shaozheng Mao (少正卯) | Wénrén | Man$^4$ Jan$^4$ | | Văn Nhân | Munin (문인) | Bunjin | |
| 巫馬 (巫马) | "Horse" | Wūmǎ | Ng$^5$ Maa$^5$ | | 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$^6$ Hau$^6$ | Hā-hô͘ | Hạ Hầu | Hahu (하후) | Kakō | Xiahou Ying, Xiahou Dun |
| 鮮于 (鲜于) | | Xiānyú | Sin$^1$ Jyu$^1$ | | Tiên Vu | Seonu (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$^1$ Mun$^4$ | | Tây Môn | Seomun (서문) | Saimon | Ximen Bao |
| 軒轅 (轩辕) | The (personal) name of the Yellow Emperor | Xuānyuán | Hin$^1$ Jyun$^4$ | Hian-oàn | Hiên Viên | Heonwon (헌원) | Ken'en | Yellow Emperor |
| 楊子 (杨子) | A branch of 楊 (Yang) | Yángzǐ | Joeng$^4$ Zi$^2$ | | Dương Tử | Yangja (양자) | Yōshi | |
| 樂正 (乐正) | Minister of music | Yuèzhèng | Ngok$^6$ Zing$^3$ | | Nhạc Chính | Akjeong (악정) | Gakusei | |
| 鍾離 (钟离) | A country in Chunqiu | Zhōnglí | Zung$^1$ Lei$^4$ | | Chung Ly | Jongni; Jongri (종리) | Shōri | Zhongli Mu (鐘離牧), Zhongli Mo |
| 諸葛 (诸葛) | A branch of 葛 (Ge) | Zhūgě | Zyu$^1$ Got$^3$ | Chu-kat | Gia Cát (Chư Cát) | Jegal (제갈) | Shokatsu | Jegal Je-min Zhuge Liang |
| 祝融 | God of Fire | Zhùróng | Zuk$^1$ Jung$^4$ | | Chúc Dung | Chugyung (축융) | Shukuyū | Lady Zhurong |
| 子車 (子车) | | Zǐjū | Zi$^2$ Geoi$^1$ | | Tử Xa | Jageo (자거) | Shikyo | |
| 左人 | Left-handed man | Zuǒrén | Zo$^2$ Jan$^4$ | | 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$^6$ Fai$^3$ | | 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$^3$ Si$^2$ Naa$^5$ | | A Sử Na | Asana (아사나) | Ashina | Empress Ashina |
| 愛新覺羅 (爱新觉罗) | Gold | Manchu | Àixīnjuéluó (Aisin Gioro) | Oi$^3$ San$^1$ Gok$^3$ Lo$^4$ | 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$^6$ Ji$^4$ Zi$^2$ Gan$^1$ | | Bột Nhi Chỉ Cân (Bát Nhĩ Tế Cát Đặc) | Barajigeun (발아지근) | Botsujishikin | Genghis Khan |
| 獨孤 (独孤) | | Xianbei | Dúgū | Duk$^6$ Gu$^1$ | | Độc Cô | Dokgo (독고) | Dokko/Dokuko | Dugu Qieluo |
| 爾朱 (尔朱) | | Xiongnu | Erzhu | Ji$^5$ Zyu$^1$ | | Nhĩ Chu | Iju (이주) | Jishu | Erzhu Rong, Erzhu Zhao |
| 賀蘭 (贺兰) | Helan Mountains | Xianbei | Hèlán | Ho$^6$ Laan$^4$ | | Hạ Lan | Haran (하란) | Garan | Princess Dowager Helan |
| 赫連 (赫连) | | Xiongnu | Hèlián | Haak$^1$ Lin$^4$ | | Hách Liên | Hyeongnyeon; Hyeongryeon (혁련) | Kakuren | Helian Bobo |
| 賀若 (贺若) | | Xianbei | Hèruò | Ho$^6$ Joek$^6$ | | Hạ Nhược | Hayak (하약) | Kajaku | Heruo Bi (賀若弼) |
| 赫舍里 | Water spring | Manchu | Hèsheli | Haak$^1$ Se$^2$ Lei$^5$ | | Hách Xá Lý | Hyeoksari (혁사리) | Kakushari | Hešeri Sonin, Empress Xiaochengren, Songgotu |
| 万俟 | | Xianbei | Mòqí | Mak$^6$ Kei$^4$ | | Mặc Kỳ | Mukgi (묵기) | Bokuji | Moqi Chounu (万俟醜奴) |
| 慕容 | | Xianbei | Mùróng | Mou$^6$ Jung$^4$ | Bō·-iông | Mộ Dung | Moyong (모용) | Boyū | Murong Huang |
| 納蘭 (纳兰) | Variant of 叶赫那拉 (Yehenala) | Manchu | Nàlán | Naap$^6$ Laan$^4$ | | Nạp Lan | Namnan; Namran (납란) | Nōran | Nalan Xingde |
| 星團 (星团) | Band/group/cluster of stars | | Xīngtuán | Sing$^1$ Tyun$^4$ | | | Shindan (신단) | Seidan | |
| 呼延 | | Xiongnu | Hūyán | Fu$^1$ Jin$^4$ | | Hô Diên | Hoyeon (호연) | Koen | Empress Huyan, Huyan Zan |
| 沙吒 | | Göktürk | Shāzhā | Saa$^1$ Zaa$^1$ | | Sa Tra | Sata (사타) | Sata | Shazha Zhongyi (沙吒忠義) |
| 拓跋 | | Xianbei | Tuòbá | Tok$^3$ Bat$^6$ | | Thác Bạt | Takbal (탁발) | Takubatsu | Emperors of Northern Wei, formerly surname of Tangut rulers, Western Xia |
| 完顏 (完颜) | | Jurchen | Wányán | Jyun$^4$ Ngaan$^4$ | | Hoàn Nhan | Wanan (완안) | Kangan | Wanyan Aguda |
| 耶律 | | Khitan | Yēlǜ | Ye$^4$ Leut$^6$ | | Da Luật (Gia Luật) | Yayul (야율) | Yaritsu/Jaritsu | Emperors of Liao dynasty, Yelü Chucai |
| 尉遲 (尉迟) | | Xianbei | Yùchí | Wat$^1$ Ci$^4$ | | Uất Trì (Úy Trì) | Ulji (울지) | Utchi/Utsuchi | Yuchi Jingde, Yuchi Jiong |
| 宇文 | | Xianbei | Yǔwén | Jyu$^5$ Man$^4$ | | Vũ Văn | Umun (우문) | Ubun | Yuwen Tai, emperors of Northern Zhou |
| 長孫 (长孙) | Eldest grandson | Xianbei | Zhǎngsūn | Zoeng$^2$ Syun$^1$ | | 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$^1$ Hau$^2$ | Soaⁿ-kháu | Sơn Khẩu | Sangu (산구) | Yamaguchi | Yoshiko Yamaguchi (Shānkǒu Shūzǐ) |
| 川島 | River on the island | Japanese | Chuāndǎo | Cyun$^1$ Dou$^2$ | Chhoan-tó | Đảo Xuyên | Cheondo (천도) | Kawashima | Yoshiko Kawashima (Chuāndǎo Fāngzi) |
| 伊達 | Elegance | Japanese | Yīdá | Ji$^1$ Daat$^6$ | I-ta̍t | Y Đạt | Idal (이달) | Date | Date Junnosuke (Yīdá Shùnzhīzhù) |