Zhōu () is a Chinese-language surname. In places which use the Wade–Giles romanization such as

Taiwan Taiwan, officially the Republic of China (ROC), is a country in East Asia, at the junction of the East and South China Seas in the northwestern Pacific Ocean, with the People's Republic of China (PRC) to the northwest, Japan to the no ...

, Zhou is usually spelled as "Chou" (ㄓㄡ), and it may also be spelled as "Chiau", "Chau", " Chao", " Chew", " Chow", "

Chiu Chiu is a romanization of various Chinese surnames, based on different varieties of Chinese. It may correspond to the surnames spelled in the following ways in Mandarin pinyin: * Zhào () or Zhāo (), from the Cantonese pronunciation * Zhāng ...

", "Cho", "Chu", "Jhou", "Jou", "Djou", "Jue", "Jow", or "Joe". Zhou ranks as the 10th most common surname in Mainland China . In 2013 it was found to be the 10th most common name, shared by 25,200,000 people or 1.900% of the population, with the province with the most being

Hunan Hunan (, ; ) is a landlocked province of the People's Republic of China, part of the South Central China region. Located in the middle reaches of the Yangtze watershed, it borders the province-level divisions of Hubei to the north, Jiangx ...

. Derived from the

Zhou dynasty The Zhou dynasty ( ; Old Chinese ( B&S): *''tiw'') was a royal dynasty of China that followed the Shang dynasty. Having lasted 789 years, the Zhou dynasty was the longest dynastic regime in Chinese history. The military control of China by th ...

, it has been one of the ten most common surnames in China since the

Yuan dynasty The Yuan dynasty (), officially the Great Yuan (; xng, , , literally "Great Yuan State"), was a Mongol-led imperial dynasty of China and a successor state to the Mongol Empire after its division. It was established by Kublai, the fif ...

. It is the 5th name on the '' Hundred Family Surnames'' poem. The Korean surname, " Joo" or "Ju", and The

Vietnamese surname Traditional Vietnamese personal names generally consist of three parts, used in Eastern name order. * A family name (normally patrilineal, The father’s family name may be combined with the mother's family name to form a compound family name) ...

, " Châu" or "Chu", are both derived from and written with the same Chinese character (周). The character also means "around". ''Zhōu'' can also stand for another, rare Chinese family name, 洲.

History

According to historical records, Zhou surname originates from the imperial kinsmen of the Zhou dynasty. The original surname ('' xing'') of the royal Zhou family was Ji (姬). In 256 B.C., the

Qin dynasty The Qin dynasty ( ; zh, c=秦朝, p=Qín cháo, w=), or Ch'in dynasty in Wade–Giles romanization ( zh, c=, p=, w=Ch'in ch'ao), was the first dynasty of Imperial China. Named for its heartland in Qin state (modern Gansu and Shaanxi), ...

conquered Zhou and put Rufen under the jurisdiction of Runan County. Ji Yong, a descendant of King Ping of Zhou, which lived on the system of enfeoffment in Rufen, changed his surname to Zhou to commemorate the merits and virtues of his ancestors. The descendants of Emperor Nan of the Zhou Dynasty, who were called the Zhou family after the Zhou Dynasty had been destroyed, also took on the Zhou surname. Since then the Zhou surname has become a common family name in Runan. Non-Han people who adopted the name Zhou include the Helu and Pu surnames of the Xianbei nationality in (the Northern Zhou) and the Xitong and Shuhu surnames of the Mongolian nationality in the

. People with the Zhou surname could be found all over the country due to enfeoffment and migration through the ages, especially from out Runan. In general the migration of the Zhou family followed the pattern of "west to east" and "south to north".

Prominent individuals with the surname Zhou

Modern day

* Bibi Zhou (born 1985), Chinese singer and actress *

Charles Djou Charles Kong Djou (born August 9, 1970) is an American politician who served as U.S. representative for Hawaii's 1st congressional district from 2010 to 2011. Appointed by President Joe Biden, Djou currently serves as the Secretary of the Americ ...

, Hawaii politician * Chou Tzu-yu (born 1999), Taiwanese singer, dancer, visual, and member of the South-Korean girl group Twice * Chou Wen-chung (1923–2019), composer, professor at Columbia University and founder of the Center for U.S.-China Arts Exchange * Chow Yun-fat, famous Hong Kong actor * Eric Chou, Taiwanese singer-songwriter * Alex Chow, Former Secretary-general of the

Hong Kong Federation of Students The Hong Kong Federation of Students (HKFS, or 學聯) is a student organisation founded in May 1958 by the student unions of four higher education institutions in Hong Kong. The inaugural committee had seven members representing the four sc ...

Francis Jue Francis Jue (born September 29, 1963) is an American actor and singer. Jue is known for his performances on Broadway, in national tours, Off-Broadway and in regional theatre, particularly in the San Francisco Bay Area and at The Muny in St. Louis ...

, actor *

Hong Chau Hong Chau (born June 25, 1979) is an American actress who gained recognition for her supporting role in the 2017 film '' Downsizing'', in which she played the character Ngoc Lan Tran. For her performance, she was nominated for several supporting ...

(born 1979), Vietnamese American actor * Jay Chou (Chou Chie Lun), Taiwanese musician, singer, songwriter and director * Jimmy Choo, Yeang Keat, world-famous Malaysian born London shoe designer * Kathy Chow, actress * Kelsey Chow, actor from Disney's Pair of Kings * Malese Jow, Chinese-American teen actress * Michael Chow Man-Kin, actor * Nancy Zhou, American violinist *

Agnes Chow Agnes Chow Ting ( zh, t=周庭, born 3 December 1996) is a Hong Kong politician and social activist. She is a former member of the Standing Committee of Demosistō and former spokesperson of Scholarism. Her candidacy for the 2018 Hong Kong ...

, Hong Kong student activist and politician *

Natalie Chou Natalie Chou (born December 22, 1997) is an American professional basketball player for the Rheinland Lions of the 1. Damen-Basketball-Bundesliga (DBBL). Growing up in Texas, she was named a McDonald’s All-American as a high school senior in 2 ...

(born 1997), American basketball player *

Niki Chow Niki Chow (周勵淇, previously 周麗淇; born August 30, 1979) is a Hong Kong actress and singer. Early life Chow was born and raised in Hong Kong. She is fluent in Mandarin. However, netizens have pointed that her Cantonese pronunciatio ...

, actress *

Norm Chow Norman Yew Heen Chow (born May 3, 1946) is an American football coach and former player. He is currently the head coach for the Helvetic Guards in the European League of Football. He was the head football coach at the University of Hawaii at Ma ...

, American football coach * Osric Chau, Canadian actor *

Silas Chou Silas K. F. Chou (; born 1946) is a Hong Kong billionaire, active in the fashion sector. Early life Chou's father was Chao Kuang-piu. His father founded South Ocean Knitters, one of the Hong Kong's "largest knitwear manufacturers and exporters", ...

, Hong Kong billionaire * Stephen Chow, famous Hong Kong actor and director * Steve Chou (Zhōu Chuánxióng), Taiwanese composer and singer. *

Veronica Chou Veronica Chou (, also known as Veronica Sylvia Wing Wai Au Chou, born in ,1984) is a Chinese-American businesswoman. Early life Veronica Chou was born in Hawaii, United States. Her father is Silas Chou. Chou grew up in Hong Kong. She attended h ...

(born 1984/1985), Hong Kong businesswoman * Vic Zhou, actor, singer * Vivian Chow, singer * Wakin Chau (Emil Chau), musician, singer * Wei-Liang Chow, mathematician * Wen Tsing Chow, missile guidance scientist *

William Kwai Sun Chow William Kwai-sun Chow (July 3, 1914 – September 21, 1987, AKA William Ah Sun Chow-Hoon) was instrumental in the development of the martial arts in the United States, specifically the family of styles referred to as kenpo/ kempo. Born in H ...

, Martial artist * Xiangyu Zhou (born 1965), Chinese mathematician * Chau Chin-fu (born 1952), Taiwanese judoka * Chau Hoi Wah (born 1986), female Hong Kong badminton player *

Zhou Enlai Zhou Enlai (; 5 March 1898 – 8 January 1976) was a Chinese statesman and military officer who served as the first premier of the People's Republic of China from 1 October 1949 until his death on 8 January 1976. Zhou served under Chairman M ...

(1898–1976), first Premier of the People's Republic of China *

Zhou Fengsuo Zhou Fengsuo (; born October 5, 1967) is a Chinese human rights activist, investor, and former student leader during the Tiananmen Square protests of 1989. He was listed number 5 on the government's most wanted and forced into exile in the Unit ...

, human rights activist *

Zhou Guangzhao Zhou Guangzhao (; born May 15, 1929) is a Chinese theoretical physicist who served as President of the Chinese Academy of Sciences from 1987 to 1997. Early life and education Zhou Guangzhao was born on May 15, 1929 in Changsha, the capital of ...

, former president of Chinese Academy of Sciences, theoretical physicist * Zhou Guanyu, (born 1999), Formula 1 driver *

Zhou Haiyan Zhou Haiyan (; born 3 January 1990) is a Chinese track and field athlete who competes in middle-distance events. She holds personal bests of 2:03.00 and 4:13.32 minutes for the 800 metres and 1500 metres events, respectively. She was the champio ...

(born 1990), Chinese female middle-distance runner *

Zhou Jianren Zhou Jianren (; 1888–1984) was a politician and biologist of the People's Republic of China. He was the younger brother of Lu Xun and Zhou Zuoren. When the office of the Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress was v ...

, politician, younger brother of Lu Xun *

Zhou Jieqiong Zhou Jieqiong (; ; born December 16, 1998), known professionally as Jieqiong or Kyulkyung (in Korean), is a Chinese singer and actress based in China and South Korea and signed under Pledis Entertainment. After finishing sixth in survival show ...

(born 1998), vocalist of the South-Korean girl group

Pristin Pristin (; stylized as PRISTIN and formerly known as Pledis Girlz) was a South Korean girl group formed by Pledis Entertainment in 2016. The group was composed of ten members: Nayoung, Roa, Yuha, Eunwoo, Rena, Kyulkyung, Yehana, Sungyeon, Xiyeon ...

* Zhou Long, composer * Zhou Mi, Chinese female badminton player * Zhou Mi, Chinese pop male singer from the boy band Super Junior-M * Zhou Peiyuan, former president of Peking University, theoretical physicist * Zhou Qi, Chinese basketball player *

Zhou Shen Zhou Shen (; born ), also known as Charlie Zhou, is a Chinese singer known for his ethereal voice and wide vocal range, capable of singing soprano. He is best known for his song "Big Fish", which has won 8 awards. In November 2017, Zhou releas ...

, singer *

Zhou Shuren Zhou Shuren (25 September 1881 – 19 October 1936), better known by his pen name Lu Xun (or Lu Sun; ; Wade–Giles: Lu Hsün), was a Chinese writer, essayist, poet, and literary critic. He was a leading figure of modern Chinese literature. W ...

, writer using the pseudonym

Lu Xun Zhou Shuren (25 September 1881 – 19 October 1936), better known by his pen name Lu Xun (or Lu Sun; ; Wade–Giles: Lu Hsün), was a Chinese writer, essayist, poet, and literary critic. He was a leading figure of modern Chinese literature. ...

* Zhou Xiaochuan, economist *

Zhou Xiaoping Zhou Xiaoping (; born 24 April 1981) is a Chinese essayist and popular blogger. His most well-known works are ''Please Do Not Fail This Era!'', ''Young, do you really know about this country?'', ''Where did our heroes go?'', and ''Nine Tricks of ...

, writer, social commentator. *

Zhou Xiaoyan Zhou Xiaoyan (; August 17, 1917 – March 4, 2016) was a Chinese vocal pedagogue and classical soprano. Dubbed by ''The New York Times'' as "China's First Lady of Opera", she was considered to be the first important instructor of Western opera in ...

(1917–2016), soprano and voice teacher * Zhou Xuan (1918–1957), actress * Zhou Xun, actress * Zhou Yanfei (born 1990), Paralympic swimmer sister of Zhou Ying (born 1989), also a paralympic swimmer. * Zhou Yahui, businessman, entrepreneur * Zhou Yi (disambiguation) * Zhou Yongkang (born 1942), member of the 17th CPC Politburo Standing Committee * Zhou Youguang (1906–2017), Chinese linguist and sinologist * Zhou Zuoren, writer, brother of Lu Xun *

Zhou Zhennan Zhou may refer to: Chinese history * King Zhou of Shang () (1105 BC–1046 BC), the last king of the Shang dynasty * Predynastic Zhou (), 11th-century BC precursor to the Zhou dynasty * Zhou dynasty () (1046 BC–256 BC), a dynasty of China ** West ...

, rapper, singer, songwriter and dancer *

Chou Tien-chen Chou Tien-chen (Chinese: 周天成; born 8 January 1990) is a Taiwanese badminton player. He became the first local shuttler in 17 years to win the men's singles title of the Chinese Taipei Open in 2016 since Indonesian-born Fung Permadi won ...

, Taiwanese badminton player

Historical

:''Alphabetized by surname, then by given name.'' * Zhou Fang, military general of the state of

Eastern Wu Wu (Chinese: 吳; pinyin: ''Wú''; Middle Chinese *''ŋuo'' <

Eastern Han Chinese

: ''*ŋuɑ''), known in hi ...

Zhou Tai Zhou Tai () (died 223), courtesy name Youping, was a military general serving under the warlord Sun Quan during the late Eastern Han dynasty and early Three Kingdoms period of China. He previously served under Sun Ce, Sun Quan's elder brother a ...

, (d. 223) military general of the state of

Eastern Wu Wu (Chinese: 吳; pinyin: ''Wú''; Middle Chinese *''ŋuo'' <

Eastern Han Chinese

: ''*ŋuɑ''), known in hi ...

Zhou Tong (archer) Zhou Tong ( and 周侗; pinyin: Zhōu Tóng) (died late 1121 CE) was the archery teacher and second military arts tutor of famous Song dynasty general Yue Fei. Originally a local hero from Henan, he was hired to continue Yue Fei's military train ...

, famous archer and teacher of

Song Dynasty The Song dynasty (; ; 960–1279) was an imperial dynasty of China that began in 960 and lasted until 1279. The dynasty was founded by Emperor Taizu of Song following his usurpation of the throne of the Later Zhou. The Song conquered the res ...

General Yue Fei * Zhou Yafu, Han dynasty general * Zhou Yu, (175–210) general of

Eastern Wu Wu (Chinese: 吳; pinyin: ''Wú''; Middle Chinese *''ŋuo'' <

Eastern Han Chinese

: ''*ŋuɑ''), known in hi ...

Fictional

:''Alphabetized by surname, then by given name.'' *

Zhou Tong (Water Margin) Zhou Tong is a fictional character in ''Water Margin'', one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature. Nicknamed "Little Conqueror", he ranks 87th among the 108 Stars of Destiny and 51st among the 72 Earthly Fiends. There was a h ...

, fictional character from the Chinese classic the '' Water Margin'' * Zhou Botong, a fictional character from the '' Legend of the Condor Hero'' and ''

Return of the Condor Heroes ''The Return of the Condor Heroes'', also called ''The Giant Eagle and Its Companion'', is a wuxia novel by Jin Yong (Louis Cha). It is the second part of the ''Condor Trilogy'' and was preceded by ''The Legend of the Condor Heroes'' and followe ...

'' novels * Zhou Cang, fictional character from the ''

Romance of the Three Kingdoms ''Romance of the Three Kingdoms'' () is a 14th-century historical novel attributed to Luo Guanzhong. It is set in the turbulent years towards the end of the Han dynasty and the Three Kingdoms period in Chinese history, starting in 184 AD ...

'' * Zhou Mei-Ling, fictional character from the Blizzard Entertainment video game ''

Overwatch ''Overwatch'' is a multimedia franchise centered on a series of online multiplayer first-person shooter (FPS) video games developed by Blizzard Entertainment: '' Overwatch'' released in 2016, and ''Overwatch 2'' released in 2022. Both games fe ...

References

External links

Chinese Zhou surname history
{{Surname, Zhou Chinese-language surnames Individual Chinese surnames

History

Prominent individuals with the surname Zhou

Modern day

Historical

Fictional

See also

References

External links