100 Most Common Chinese Surnames or Last Names

A large number of families in China have common surnames, which are also referred to as last names. It is important to remember that surnames are unique since they are handed down from parents to children. It is similar to having a family name that allows you to connect with your siblings and cousins. 

In China, 7.25 % of people have the surname 王 (Wáng), which makes it not only the most common surname in China but also the world. The character 王 means ‘king’. It’s made of three horizontal lines representing the sky, earth, and people, and a vertical line that connects them.

The following list will provide an overview of one hundred of the most prevalent Chinese surnames.

Most Used Family Names in Chinese Tradition

There have been 23,813 documented surnames in China’s history; 5,662 of them are still in use today. However, of these, the top 100 are incredibly prevalent, accounting for 85.9% of China’s 1.4 billion people. The number of individuals in China that have the same 10 last names is staggering: 596.3 million, or 42.9% of the population!.

Here are the twenty most used surnames in China, according to a recent study from January 2022:

Last Name	Pinyin	Number of People (Million)
王	Wáng	101.5
李	Lǐ	100.9
张	Zhāng	95.4
刘	Liú	72.1
陈	Chén	63.3
杨	Yáng	46.2
黄	Huáng	33.7
赵	Zhào	28.6
吴	Wú	27.8
周	Zhōu	26.8
徐	Xú	20.2
孙	Sūn	19.4
马	Mǎ	19.1
朱	Zhū	18.1
胡	Hú	16.5
郭	Guō	15.8
何	Hé	14.8
林	Lín	14.2
罗	Luó	14.2
高	Gāo	14.1

List of 100 Most Common Chinese Surnames

This below list includes the 100 Chinese last name, and its Pinyin pronunciation:

No.	Chinese Last Name	Pinyin
1	李	Lǐ
2	王	Wáng
3	张	Zhāng
4	刘	Liú
5	陈	Chén
6	杨	Yáng
7	赵	Zhào
8	黄	Huáng
9	周	Zhōu
10	吴	Wú
11	徐	Xú
12	孙	Sūn
13	胡	Hú
14	朱	Zhū
15	高	Gāo
16	林	Lín
17	何	Hé
18	郭	Guō
19	马	Mǎ
20	罗	Luó
21	梁	Liáng
22	宋	Sòng
23	郑	Zhèng
24	谢	Xiè
25	韩	Hán
26	唐	Táng
27	冯	Féng
28	于	Yú
29	董	Dǒng
30	萧	Xiāo
31	程	Chéng
32	曹	Cáo
33	袁	Yuán
34	邓	Dèng
35	许	Xǔ
36	傅	Fù
37	沈	Shěn
38	曾	Zēng
39	彭	Péng
40	吕	Lǚ
41	苏	Sū
42	卢	Lú
43	蒋	Jiǎng
44	蔡	Cài
45	贾	Jiǎ
46	丁	Dīng
47	魏	Wèi
48	薛	Xuē
49	叶	Yè
50	阎	Yán
51	余	Yú
52	潘	Pān
53	杜	Dù
54	戴	Dài
55	夏	Xià
56	钟	Zhōng
57	汪	Wāng
58	田	Tián
59	任	Rén
60	姜	Jiāng
61	范	Fàn
62	方	Fāng
63	石	Shí
64	姚	Yáo
65	谭	Tán
66	盛	Shèng
67	邹	Zōu
68	熊	Xióng
69	金	Jīn
70	陆	Lù
71	郝	Hǎo
72	孔	Kǒng
73	白	Bái
74	崔	Cuī
75	康	Kāng
76	毛	Máo
77	邱	Qiū
78	秦	Qín
79	江	Jiāng
80	史	Shǐ
81	顾	Gù
82	侯	Hóu
83	邵	Shào
84	孟	Mèng
85	龙	Lóng
86	万	Wàn
87	段	Duàn
88	章	Zhāng
89	钱	Qián
90	汤	Tāng
91	尹	Yǐn
92	黎	Lí
93	易	Yì
94	常	Cháng
95	武	Wǔ
96	乔	Qiáo
97	贺	Hè
98	赖	Lài
99	龚	Gōn
100	欧阳	Ōuyáng

Conclusion

The 100 Most Common Chinese Surnames, we see a cool mix of history and family stories. Names like 李 (Lǐ) and 王 (Wáng) are super common and have deep roots in China’s past. Each last name has its own special background and helps people feel connected to their family’s history. This list is a great peek into how rich and varied Chinese culture is, showing the importance of names in connecting folks to their heritage

FAQs

What are Chinese surnames or last names?

Chinese surnames are family names passed from one generation to another. They hold a special place in Chinese culture, connecting people through shared ancestry.

How many Chinese surnames are there?

There are thousands of Chinese surnames, but some are more common than others. This list focuses on the 100 most common ones, giving a glimpse into the diverse naming traditions.

Why are surnames important in Chinese culture?

Surnames in China are a way to preserve family history and ancestry. They carry the stories of generations, creating a sense of continuity and identity.

Are any of these Chinese surnames familiar?

Yes, some Chinese surnames might sound familiar, as Chinese culture has influenced the world. Names like Li, Wang, and Zhang are quite common.

How are Chinese surnames passed down?

Chinese surnames are typically passed down from parents to their children. It’s a way of linking each generation to its roots and maintaining a connection to family history.

Can a person have more than one Chinese surname?

In general, individuals have a single Chinese surname, but exceptions exist. Some might have a compound surname, combining two names for a unique family identifier.

Do these surnames have any special meanings?

Yes, many Chinese surnames have meanings or historical significance. For example, “Li” can mean plum, while “Wang” might refer to a king. Exploring these meanings adds depth to the understanding of Chinese culture.