Surname Tan - Meaning and Origin
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H. Tan
read moreTan: What does the surname Tan mean?
The last name Tan is a Chinese surname that is derived from the term for a pond or lake. It is believed that the surname began when people began living near ponds or lakes and eventually adopted the names of the bodies of water for their own family name.
In some parts of China, the surname Tan can refer to those who are descended from the royal family of the State of Tan during the Zhou Dynasty. During the Warring States period, the Duke of Tan became known for his loyalty and willingness to sacrifice for his people and his descendants then began to take on his surname as their own.
The surname has spread to many other countries, including Singapore, Taiwan, and the Philippines, where it is very common among those of Chinese ancestry. It is also found amongst people of Chinese descent in other parts of the world.
The concept of “Tan” also has a place in mythology. In Chinese myth, Tan was the name of the God of the Earth and Water, and Tan is believed to a have a connection to the real, physical bodies of water as well. In some religions, the word Tan signifies the cosmic unity of all things, which makes this surname quite meaningful when it comes to connection and the sense of community.
In conclusion, the last name Tan is a very old and meaningful Chinese surname. It has a very strong connection to the concept of water and the cosmic unity of all things. Those with the family name bear strong associations with royalty, loyalty, and a sense of tight-knit community.
Order DNA origin analysisTan: Where does the name Tan come from?
The Tan surname is most commonly found in East and Southeast Asia. It sometimes appears as a surname in Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese populations, derived from the Chinese character for heaven. In China, it is among the ten most common surnames, having a population of over 86 million people. In Taiwan, it is the third most common surname, representing close to 3 million people. Tan is also a common family name in Singapore, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Malaysia.
In the United States, Tan is among the top 75 most common surnames, accounting for approximately 0.3 percent of the populace. It is also found throughout Europe, though its prevalence is significantly lower than it is in East and Southeast Asia. The Tan surname is most popular in areas with strong Chinese and East Asian communities, such as Los Angeles, San Francisco, and New York City.
Overall, the Tan surname is especially common throughout East and Southeast Asia and is gaining in popularity in the United States. Of the millions of people who now bear the name, many may not be related to each other. However, the Chinese character that forms its origin stands as a reminder of thousands of years of shared history.
Variations of the surname Tan
The surname Tan has multiple variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. Some of these include Tan, Tann, Thann, Thanh, Tanh, Taun, Tanne, Thane, Thann, Tenn, Tenne, and Tanne.
The root of this surname is in Middle English and is found throughout Europe. It can be spelt in both the regular French-English, as well as in a German or Flemish spelling.
The surname Tan is typically Asian and may be found as Tan, Tanh, and Thann, which is derived from the Chinese characters for the word "tan" which means "from the field." Tan is also found in a variety of Asian countries such as Japan and Korea, in which it is typically spelled Tan or Tanh.
In India, Tan is also the name of an ancient Chola warrior and the name is also sometimes spelled as Thann. In Vietnam, the spelling of Tan may be found with a double ‘n’ and in Spanish it can be seen as Tanne.
The Anglo Saxon spelling of Tan is Thane and this spelling is also found in parts of Scotland, England, and Ireland. The German spelling of the name can also include an ‘e’ at the end, making it Tann.
Surnames with the Tan origin also include Tenne, Tenn, and Thann. Tenne and Tenn are Dutch derivatives, while Thann is sometimes seen as a variant of Tan found in Germany.
Overall, Tan is a very popular surname and is found worldwide, with a variety of spellings, and surnames of the same origin.
Famous people with the name Tan
- Tan Kheng Hua: Singaporean actress known for starring in hits movies and television series such as 'Crazy Rich Asians' and 'Fearlessrfly'.
- Tan Cheng Bock: He is a former politician from Singapore. He is known for his political career and founding the Progress Singapore Party.
- Tan Wei Ming: He is a Malaysian artist. He is known for his vibrant and energetic artwork.
- Tan Sri Yeoh Tiong Lay: He is a successful Malaysian businessman and philanthropist. He has made significant contributions to the industrial and economic landscape of Malaysia.
- Tan Sri Lim Kok Wing: He is a well-known figure in Malaysian education, business, and politics. He is the founder of the Lim Kok Wing University of Creative Technology.
- Tan Sri Tony Fernandes: He is the Group CEO of AirAsia. He is also the recipient of numerous business awards
- Tan Sri Dato' Sri Dr Lim Wee Chai: He is a Malaysian businessman and philanthropist. He is well-known for his substantial contributions to the Malaysian oil and gas industry.
- Tan Sri Dato' Seri Dr Jeffrey Cheah: He is a Malaysian entrepreneur and philanthropist. He is the founder of the Sunway Group and the Jeffrey Cheah Foundation.
- Tan Sri Datuk Dr Francis Yeoh: He is a Malaysian businessman and philanthropist. He is the managing director of YTL Corporation Berhad.
- Tan Sri Vincent Tan: Malaysian business magnate, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. He is the founder of Berjaya Group and holds other directorships in numerous companies.
Other surnames
Comments or additions to the name "Tan"
15.02.2024
You're wrong! "Tan Sri" is not a surname, it's a title, much like "sir". Tan Sri Tony Fernandes is an z Indian ! And Tan Sri Francis Yeoh's surname is "Yeoh" !!! Lol !