Surname Quek - Meaning and Origin
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Quek: What does the surname Quek mean?
The last name Quek is a Chinese surname originating from the southern Chinese province of Fujian. It is an uncommonly encountered name and is estimated that it only covers 0.0009% of the global population. The surname is mostly seen in Malaysia, Singapore and other Southeast Asian countries.
The transliterated meaning of Quek is “proud” or “exalted”, referring to an important or respected individual, such as one with a high-ranking social status. This meaning alludes to the fact that the surname was likely held by a powerful person, who would have had great influence over their community.
Historically, members of the Quek surname are believed to trace their roots to the Ting or Ding family. These were powerful families that dominated Chinese politics and commerce during the Southern Song Dynasty (1279-1368). They were also the protectors of the Confucian school of thought in Fujian, and a symbol of the Han Chinese people in the region.
Given its historical significance, many with the Quek surname have become successful in their professions and have made considerable contributions to society. For example, Singaporean lawyer Edmund Quek was knighted in 2015 for his work in the legal profession.
The Quek family has maintained their proud and exalted roots in Chinese culture, and the surname continues to hold considerable influence and prestige in the region.
Order DNA origin analysisQuek: Where does the name Quek come from?
The last name Quek is a popular last name in many countries throughout Southeast Asia, particularly in Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia. In Malaysia, the most common spelling of the name Quek is Chuah or Chia.
In Singapore, the name Quek is one of the top 20 surnames, with an estimated 62,300 people having that name. The most common spelling of the name Quek in Singapore is Chew or Chua.
In Indonesia, the last name Quek is taken by a small percentage of the population. It is mostly found in East Nusa Tenggara, a province in eastern Indonesia, and Bali. Interestingly, Quek is also a holy Chinese surname. It is believed to mean “blessing” and is associated with good luck.
The Quek surname is also found in Cambodia, Thailand, the Philippines, and Vietnam. It is most commonly found in areas of Southeast Asia with large Chinese populations, particularly in the southern part of China.
The name Quek is an anglicized version of either the Chinese surname “Chuah” or the Malay surname “Chia”. In many cases, the name Quek is adopted as an alternative to these more traditional, difficult-to-pronounce Asian names. Thus, the name Quek is just one way in which Asian-Americans incorporate their heritage into their identity in the United States.
Variations of the surname Quek
The Quek surname has many variant spellings and surnames of similar origin. These variations appear mostly due to the denotation of the original language, dialect, or regional variation of the name.
Spellings of Quek can be Queck, Queek, Queik, Queake, Quicke, Quick, Quicke, Qwecke, and Kwecke. Variants of the surname include Quack, Quackel, Quackle, Quacko, Quatso, Quackson, Quackin, Quackler, Quaack, and Quaker.
Surnames of similar origin to Quek in the German language include Koch, Krech, Kohl, Keele, and Koetze. These surnames derive from the word "Koch," which means "cook," and are often found among German families living in the United States. Another surname of similar origin is Kuegler, which originated in Westphalia and is a variant of the Quek surname.
The surname Quayle is of a similar Irish origin and spelling as Quek. The Quayle surname was derived from the Gaelic language and is commonly found in Ireland, Scotland, and England. It's likely that the Quayle surname was adopted during the 17th century by Irish immigrants who wanted to differentiate between them and the other residents of their host nation.
Apart from these surnames, there are many other similar sounding names with variant spellings, such as Quay, Quaid, Quail, Quait, and Qualls. All of these surnames have similar origins to the Quek surname, but their individual meaning and variations from the original word differ.
Famous people with the name Quek
- Annabelle Quek: Singaporean actress and stage performer, best known for her roles in the 2008 Singaporean drama “Under One Roof".
- Quek Swee Kuan: Singaporean director and screenwriter, responsible for popular works such as “Bride And Me” and “Seventh Love”.
- Quek Leng Chan: Malaysian billionaire and business magnate, executive chairman of Hong Leong Company Malaysia.
- Yvonne Quek: Singaporean lawyer and former MP for Hong Kah North SMC, currently serves as the National Development Minister in the cabinet of Singapore.
- Quek Leng Guan: former president of Singapore Swimming Association and founder of notoriously controversial sub-brand “Sprint Asian Teacher".
- Lim Boon Quek: ormer CEO of Temasek Holdings and director of several prominent banks in Singapore, played an important role in the nationalisation of the Singapore financial system.
- Quek Li Yong: Singaporean actor and former stuntman, recognised for his work in “The Moment of Truth” (1985) and “UR MMA” (2015).
- Tricia Quek: Singaporean choreographer frequently requested to work on international projects, most notably with renowned theatre houses in London.
- Melissa Quek: Singaporean football player and current defender for Lion City Sailors, has won numerous awards including the S-League Young Player of the Year in 2013.