Surname Chow - Meaning and Origin
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I. Chow
read moreChow: What does the surname Chow mean?
The surname Chow is of Chinese origin, primarily used by the Cantonese (from Guangdong province) and Hakka communities. It is a romanized version of several Chinese surnames, including Zhou, Zhao, and Cao, differing due to the various spelling systems adopted in different regions.
The meaning of "Chow" varies depending on its original surname. 'Zhou', which is most commonly translated to 'Chow' in Cantonese, could mean 'a state', referring to the ancient Zhou dynasty in China. 'Zhao' can mean 'to surpass or excel'. 'Cao' might mean 'grass', 'plant', or 'to exceed', depending on the Chinese character used.
Just like many other Chinese surnames, Chow carries historical and cultural significance, with each variant having clan lineages, family trees, and stories associated with it. In general, it is a common surname and widely spread in areas with significant Chinese communities.
Order DNA origin analysisChow: Where does the name Chow come from?
The surname Chow is of Chinese origin and is derived from the ancient state of Zhou, which existed several centuries ago. Zhou later became a part of Qi, in modern-day Shandong Province. The surname was adopted to honor Marquis Wen of Zhou, whose father King Xuan of Qi, was one of the Five Hegemons during the Spring and Autumn period of ancient China.
In terms of pronunciation, it can be written differently in English depending on which part of China people originated from - for example, it can be pronounced and written as Zhou in Mandarin, Chow in Cantonese, or Chou in other dialects.
Nowadays, the surname Chow is common in areas with large Chinese diaspora populations including Hong Kong, Taiwan, and other parts of Southeast Asia. It is also commonly found in countries with significant Chinese immigrant communities, such as the United States, Canada, and Australia. According to a survey in 2013, Chow is the 12th most common surname in China.
Variations of the surname Chow
The surname Chow has its origins in Chinese culture. It is commonly found in China, Hong Kong, and other parts of the Chinese diaspora. Some variations may occur due to different transliteration systems being used when converting Chinese characters into Roman script. Other reasons for variant spellings include regional dialect differences and immigration records misspellings. The surname Chow can have variations such as Chou, Zhou, Chao, Chew, Chau, and Cho.
In the Cantonese language, Chow might be spelled as Chau or Chao, while in Mandarin, the same surname could be written as Zhou or Chou. The Fukienese or Hokkien dialect might use the spellings Chiu or Chew.
Further, different families might also have the same surname but a different "generation name" or "branch name", creating other variants.
In terms of surname origin, it's worth noting that in Chinese culture, multiple unrelated families may use the same surname due to ancient practices where individuals would adopt the surnames of rulers or nobles as their own. Thus, the surname Chow could correspond to different lines of families.
Famous people with the name Chow
1.Teddy Chow: Popular Hong Kong actor noted for playing comedic roles in comedy films and TV series. 2.Chow Yun Fat: Hong Kong actor famous for his role in the classic action movie “The Killer” and modern releases such as “Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon”. 3.Chow Siu-Loi: A veteran Hong Kong comedy actor, he is well-known for his collaborations with Raymond Wong in films such as “Justice, My Foot!”. 4.Karen Mok: Hong Kong singer and actress who achieved international fame following her performance as the first Bond girl in “Tomorrow Never Dies”. 5.Victor Chow: Hong Kong entertainment business mogul and movie producer, founding the Entertainment Group. 6.Seung-yong Choo: South Korean hockey player and silver medalist at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics. 7.Louis Koo: Hong Kong actor who has starred in numerous action, comedy and drama films such as “Gangtou Beach” and “Golden Chicken.” 8.Benjamin Chow: Singaporean artist whose works often focus on memory, identity and migration. 9.Kenny Bee: Hong Kong singer, songwriter and actor who is best known for being a member of The Wynners, a popular 1970s band. 10.Becky Chow: Hong Kong pop singer who rose to fame in the 1980s for her hit songs “Kissing Goodbye” and “It’s Show Time.”