Wu surname meaning
A Chinese surname with several lineages, including traditions linked with the ancient state of Wu.
Confidence: Disputed. More than one origin is plausible, or sources disagree. We show the conflict rather than pick a cute answer.
The short story
Wu is a Chinese surname represented by several characters and romanization histories. One major tradition links 吳 with the ancient state of Wu, while other Wu lineages have different clan, regional, or character histories. Ng, Ngo, Goh, and related spellings reflect Cantonese, Hokkien, and other pronunciation systems; a Latin spelling can therefore hide different Chinese forms. Place is the closest catalog type for the important state-origin tradition, but disputed confidence is necessary because Wu is not one single lineage with one universally accepted etymology. A Wu family needs the original character and local records to identify its particular route.
Also seen as: Ng, Ngo, Goh, 吳
- Ancestry, Dictionary of American Family Names entry 'Wu' (Chinese surname and multiple romanizations)
- Wikipedia 'Wu (surname)' (state, clan, and character traditions)
- Names2020_LastNames_RaceHispanic_Top1000.xlsx (2020 Census)