Liang () is an

East Asian East Asia is a geocultural region of Asia. It includes China, Japan, Mongolia, North Korea, South Korea, and Taiwan, plus two special administrative regions of China, Hong Kong and Macau. The economies of Economy of China, China, Economy of Ja ...

surname of Chinese origin. The surname is often transliterated as Leung (in Hong Kong) or Leong (in Macau, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, and the Philippines) according to its

Cantonese Cantonese is the traditional prestige variety of Yue Chinese, a Sinitic language belonging to the Sino-Tibetan language family. It originated in the city of Guangzhou (formerly known as Canton) and its surrounding Pearl River Delta. While th ...

and

Hakka The Hakka (), sometimes also referred to as Hakka-speaking Chinese, or Hakka Chinese, or Hakkas, are a southern Han Chinese subgroup whose principal settlements and ancestral homes are dispersed widely across the provinces of southern China ...

pronunciation, Neo / Lio / Niu (

Hokkien Hokkien ( , ) is a Varieties of Chinese, variety of the Southern Min group of Chinese language, Chinese languages. Native to and originating from the Minnan region in the southeastern part of Fujian in southeastern China, it is also referred ...

, Teochew,

Hainan Hainan is an island provinces of China, province and the southernmost province of China. It consists of the eponymous Hainan Island and various smaller islands in the South China Sea under the province's administration. The name literally mean ...

), or Liong (

Fuzhou Fuzhou is the capital of Fujian, China. The city lies between the Min River (Fujian), Min River estuary to the south and the city of Ningde to the north. Together, Fuzhou and Ningde make up the Eastern Min, Mindong linguistic and cultural regi ...

). In Indonesia, it is known as Liong or Nio. It is also common in Korea, where it is written Yang () or Ryang (). In

Vietnam Vietnam, officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (SRV), is a country at the eastern edge of mainland Southeast Asia, with an area of about and a population of over 100 million, making it the world's List of countries and depende ...

, it is pronounced as Lương. It is listed 128th in the classic text

Hundred Family Surnames The ''Hundred Family Surnames'' (), commonly known as ''Bai Jia Xing'', also translated as ''Hundreds of Chinese Surnames'', is a classic Chinese language , Chinese text composed of common Chinese surnames. An unknown author compiled the book ...

. In 2019 it was the 22nd most common surname in Mainland China. In comparison, it is the 7th most common surname in

Hong Kong Hong Kong)., Legally Hong Kong, China in international treaties and organizations. is a special administrative region of China. With 7.5 million residents in a territory, Hong Kong is the fourth most densely populated region in the wor ...

, where it is usually written Leung or Leong.

History

During the reign of the Zhou dynasty

King Xuan of Zhou __NOTOC__ King Xuan of Zhou, personal name Ji Jing, was king of the Chinese Zhou dynasty; his reign has been reconstructed to be 827/25782 BC. He worked to restore royal authority after the Gonghe Regency. He fought the "Western Barbarians" ...

(827–782 BC), Qin Zhong set out on an expedition to subdue the peoples to the west in Central Asia. After Qin Zhong died, the King divided the area of Shang among them, the second son of Qin Zhong received the area around

Liangshan County Liangshan County () is a county situated in the southwest of Shandong province, China. It is administered by the prefecture-level city of Jining. Geography Liangshan County is situated north west of Jining in the south west of Shandong provinc ...

, from which his descendants developed the surname Liang.https://www.ancestry.com/name-origin?surname=liang, retrieved 31 Jan 2020

Notable people with the surname Liang

Australia/New Zealand

Lawrence Leung Lawrence Leung is an Australian comedian, writer, director and actor from Melbourne. He is best known for his television series '' Lawrence Leung's Choose Your Own Adventure'' based his one-man shows on stories about his obsessions, such as b ...

, Australian comedian, writer and director *

Jade Leung (engineer) Jade Leung is the Chief Technology Officer of the United Kingdom's AI Safety Institute, where she designs and oversees safety evaluations for frontier AI models. Until October 2023, she was Governance Lead at OpenAI, focusing on the safe deve ...

, researcher and engineer working in the United Kingdom * Roseanne Liang, Chinese-New Zealand film director

Canada

* Kerson Leong, Canadian violinist * Stephen Wing Hong Leung, Chinese-Canadian bishop of the Anglican Network in Canada

Greater China

Alan Leong Alan Leong Kah-kit ( zh, c=梁家傑; born 22 February 1958), SC is a former member of the Hong Kong Legislative Council, representing the Kowloon East geographical constituency and former chairman of the now-disbanded Civic Party. He was ...

(), Senior Counsel and former member of the Legislative Council of Hong Kong *

Andrew Leung Andrew Leung Kwan-yuen (; born 24 February 1951) is a Hong Kong politician who is the current President of the Legislative Council of Hong Kong (Legco), representing the Industrial (First) functional constituency. From October 2012 to Octobe ...

, President of the Legislative Council of Hong Kong *

Antony Leung Antony Leung Kam-chung GBS OBE JP (born 29 January 1952 in Hong Kong with family roots in Shunde, Guangdong) is a businessman who served as Financial Secretary of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), from 29 May 2001 unti ...

, banker and former Financial Secretary of Hong Kong *

Bryan Leung Bryan Leung Kar-yan (Chinese: , born 20 January 1948) is a Hong Kong film and television actor and film director who has played roles in numerous acclaimed martial arts films. He is affectionately known as "Beardy" due to his trademark facial ...

, Hong Kong martial arts actor and director *

Liang Chen Liang Chen (; born 25 February 1989) is a former professional Chinese tennis player. Liang has a career-high singles ranking of 342, achieved on 21 September 2009. Her career-high WTA doubles ranking of 35, she reached on 26 October 2015. Lia ...

, Chinese professional tennis player *

Liang Cheng Liang Cheng (November 30, 1864 – February 3, 1917), courtesy name Liang Chentung, also known as Liang Pi Yuk, and later as Chentung Liang Cheng, was a Chinese ambassador to the United States during the Qing dynasty. He was primarily respons ...

, Qing dynasty ambassador to the United States *

Christine Liang Christine Liang is a Taiwanese-American businesswoman. She is the president and founder of ASI Corp., a Fremont, California-based wholesale distributor of computer software, hardware, and accessories. Biography Born Christine Chu, she attended D ...

, Taiwanese-born president and founder of ASI Corp., Fremont, California *

CY Leung Leung Chun-ying ( zh, t=梁振英; born 12 August 1954), also known as CY Leung, is a Hong Kong politician and chartered surveyor who has served as vice-chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Confe ...

, third Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region *

Edmond Leung Edmond Leung Hon-man (; born 5 November 1971) is a Hong Kong singer-songwriter, record producer, actor and television host. Background Born in British Hong Kong on 5 November 1971, he was a youth development footballer and coach until 17. At a ...

(), Hong Kong singer, actor, a quarter of Big Four and a finalist of the 8th annual New Talent Singing Awards *

Edwin Leong Edwin Leong Siu-hung ( zh, 梁紹鴻; born 1951/1952) is a Hong Kong billionaire businessman. He is a property investor, and his main company is Tai Hung Fai Enterprise, which he founded in 1977. As of March 2022, his net worth is estimated at ...

, Hong Kong billionaire businessman *

Elsie Leung Elsie Leung Oi-sie, GBM, JP (; born 24 April 1939) is a Hong Kong politician and solicitor. She was Secretary for Justice of Hong Kong from 1997 to 2005 and a member of the Executive Council of Hong Kong. Early life and education Leung was ...

, solicitor and former Secretary for Justice of Hong Kong *

Gigi Leung Gigi Leung Wing-kei (; born 25 March 1976) is a Hong Kong singer and actress. Early life She was born at Tsan Yuk Hospital in Sai Ying Pun on 25 March 1976 and was given the name Leung Pik-chi () for superstitious reasons; as a child, Leung suf ...

, Hong Kong Cantopop singer and actress * Liang Heng, Chinese ex-pat writer and scholar *

Isabella Leong Luísa Isabella Nolasco da Silva or Leong Lok-yau (born 23 June 1988), better known as Isabella Leong, is a Macanese actress and former singer. Early life Luísa Isabella Nolasco da Silva was born on 23 June 1988 to Luís Alberto Marques Nolas ...

, Hong Kong–based Macanese actress and former singer * Jingjing Liang, Chinese forest ecologist and academic *

Leung Jan Leung Jan (born Leung Tak-wing; 1826–1901) was a Chinese martial artist and Wing Chun practitioner from Heshan, Guangdong. He was known in Foshan as ''Mr. Jan of Foshan'' and ''King of Wing Chun Kuen''. Leung Jan is one of the earliest well- ...

, Wing Chun practitioner and Chinese herbal doctor from Foshan *

Leung Kwok-hung Leung Kwok-hung ( zh, t=梁國雄; born 27 March 1956), also known by his nickname "Long Hair" (), is a Hong Kong politician and social activist. He was a member of the Legislative Council, representing the New Territories East. A Trotskyist ...

, Hong Kong activist, politician and Member of the Legislative Council of Hong Kong * Liang Guanglie, Minister of National Defense in the People's Republic of China and serves as a general in the People's Liberation Army of China *

Liang Qichao Liang Qichao (Chinese: 梁啓超; Wade–Giles: ''Liang2 Chʻi3-chʻao1''; Yale romanization of Cantonese, Yale: ''Lèuhng Kái-chīu''; ) (February 23, 1873 – January 19, 1929) was a Chinese politician, social and political activist, jour ...

, Chinese scholar, philosopher, journalist and reformist *

Liang Shih-Chiu Liang Shih-chiu (January 6, 1903 – November 3, 1987), also romanized as Liang Shiqiu, and also known as Liang Chih-hwa (), was a renowned Chinese educator, writer, translator, literary theorist and lexicographer. Biography Liang was born in ...

(1903–1987), Chinese educator, writer, translator, literary theorist and lexicographer *

Steve Leung Steve Leung (; born 1957) is an architect, interior and product designer, and restaurateur born in Hong Kong in 1957. Leung's works reflect a contemporary touch, taking inspirations from Asian culture and arts. Biography Steve Leung set up his ow ...

, architect, interior and product designer, and restaurateur born in Hong Kong *

Liang Wenbo Liang Wenbo ( zh, s=梁文博; born 5 March 1987) is a Chinese former professional snooker player. During his playing career, he won one ranking title at the 2016 English Open, twice won the World Cup for China in 2011 and 2017 with teammate ...

, snooker player * Liang Wengen, founder and main shareholder of Sany Group, one of the wealthiest men in China *

Toby Leung Toby Leung Ching-kei ( zh, 梁靖琪; born 27 February 1983) is Cantopop singer and actress from Hong Kong. She entered the music industry in 2004 when the MusicNationGroup discovered her talent. Together with Macy Chan, Elise Liu (廖雋嘉) ...

, Hong Kong television actress * Tony Leung (Leung Chiu Wai), Hong Kong actor and singer * Tony Leung (Leung Ka Fai), Hong Kong actor *

Liang Xiaosheng Liang Xiaosheng (; born 22 September 1949) is a Chinese novelist and screenwriter. Liang is a member of China Writers Association. He is also a professor at Beijing Language and Culture University. His novels have been translated into English, Fr ...

, Chinese novelist and screenwriter * Liang Weicong, Chinese para-cyclist * Liang Xueming, Chinese footballer * Liang Xueqing, Chinese painter, magazine editor

India

Lawrence Liang Lawrence Liang is an Indian academic and lawyer. He is currently a professor of law at Ambedkar University Delhi. He is known for his legal campaigns on issues of public concern. He is a co-founder of the Alternative Law Forum and by 2006 had em ...

, Indian legal researcher and lawyer

Indonesia/Malaysia

Nio Joe Lan Nio Joe Lan (; also known by the Indonesianised name Junus Nur Arif; 29 December 1904 – 13 February 1973) was a Chinese-Indonesian writer, journalist, and history teacher. Biography Nio was born on 29 December 1904 in Batavia, Dutch Eas ...

, Indonesian historian * Elyn Leong, Malaysian social media influencer and member of multi-national girl group

Gen1es Gen1es () is a girl group based in Thailand under Ryce Entertainment. They were formed through the 2024 reality show ''Chuang Asia: Thailand'' on Tencent Video, WeTV. The group consists of nine members: Qiao Yiyu, Ruan, Pailiu, Yean, Elyn, Wang ...

Fish Leong Fish Leong Ching Yu (, born Leong Chui Peng on 16 June 1978) is a Malaysian singer and songwriter. Having sold more than 20 million records to date, she has achieved popularity and success in China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, Singapore, and M ...

, Malaysian-born Mandopop singer

Philippines

Ronnie Liang Ronnie de Guzman Liang is a Filipino singer, actor, model, and influencer. Early life Liang is the youngest of seven children from a low-income family. He working at a fast-food restaurant and a video store while attending Holy Angel Univer ...

, Filipino singer * Francisco Tongio Liongson, Early Filipino politician * Pedro Tongio Liongson, Early Filipino politician * Francisco Alonso Liongson, Filipino playwright

Singapore

Jack Neo Jack Neo Chee Keong (born 24 January 1960) is a Singaporean filmmaker, comedian and actor who was a full-time Mediacorp artiste from 1983 to 2003. He established a unique presence with his genuine and relatable stories that highlight societa ...

(), film director *

Lily Neo Lily Neo (née Tirtasana; ; born 12 August 1953) is a Singaporean medical practitioner and former People's Action Party politician. She was a Member of Parliament (MP) between 1997 and 2020. Early life and education An Indonesian Chinese, Neo ...

, Singapore politician *

Neo Ao Tiew Neo Ao Tiew (; 1884 – 1975), Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, MBE, S.C.H, was a Chinese businessman, philanthropist and sheriff from Nan'an, Fujian. He is best known for developing the Lim Chu Kang area of Singapore. ...

, businessman, philanthropist and sheriff *

Neo Beng Siang Neo Beng Siang () is a professional basketball coach from Singapore. He is currently the head coach of the Singapore Slingers in the Asean Basketball League (ABL). He was the head coach of the Singapore national basketball team from 2003 until h ...

, professional basketball coach from Singapore

United Kingdom

Katie Leung Katie Leung (born 8 August 1987; ) is a Scottish actress. She first gained fame for playing Cho Chang, Harry Potter's first love interest in the ''Harry Potter'' film series, and subsequently for her roles as Caitlyn Kiramman in the Netflix ...

, Scottish film, television and stage actress

United States

* Awonder Liang (born 2003), American chess Grandmaster *

Edwaard Liang Edwaard Liang (born c. 1975/1976 Also available a. in Taipei, Taiwan) is a Taiwanese-born American dancer and choreography, choreographer. He grew up in Marin County, California. Career Liang began studying dance at the age of 5. He entered the ...

, Taiwanese-born American choreographer, ballet dancer *

Ken Leung Kenneth Leung (born January 21, 1970) is an American actor. Known for his roles on stage and screen, he has gained attention for playing Miles Straume in the ABC drama series '' Lost'' (2008–2010) and Eric Tao in HBO drama series ''Industry' ...

, American film and television actor *

Lei Liang Lei Liang (Chinese: 梁雷; pinyin: Liáng Léi; born November 28, 1972, in Tianjin, China) is a Chinese-born American composer who was a winner of the Grawemeyer Award and a Finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in Music. He is Chancellor's Distingu ...

, Chinese-born American composer * Liang May Seen, first Chinese woman to live in Minnesota, community leader in Minneapolis *

Martin Leung Martin Leung () is an American pianist. He plays classical music and is known as Video Game Pianist. He gained recognition for playing video game music on the piano, both in concert venues and in online videos. In July 2004, a video of him playi ...

, American pianist *

Matthew H. Liang Matthew H. Liang is a physician specializing in general internal medicine and rheumatology, Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School, Professor of Health Policy and Management at Harvard School of Public Health, and the Director Emeritus ...

, American physician scientist *

Sandy Liang Sandy Liang is a fashion label based in New York City. Founded in 2014 by Sandy Liang, its designs are inspired by nostalgia, girlhood, and grandmothers in Chinatown. Founder Sandy Liang was born on June 4, 1991, in New York City and grew up ...

, American fashion designer

Vietnam

* Lương Thế Vinh, Vietnamese scholar and mathematician *

Lương Kim Định Lương Kim Định or Dominic Lương Kim Định, Kim Định (15 June 1914 – 25 March 1997 in Carthage, Missouri) was a Vietnamese catholic priest, scholar and philosopher. Biography He was born in Nam Dinh, French Indochina. He was ordaine ...

(1914–1997), Vietnamese catholic priest, scholar and philosopher *

Lương Bích Hữu Lương Bích Hữu (; born 1 September 1984) is a Vietnamese actress and pop singer. Before working with the Thế Giới Giải Trí, Huu was one of the Nguyễn Productions singers. After working in the company and as member of girl group H.A. ...

, Vietnamese singer

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Liang (Surname) Chinese-language surnames Individual Chinese surnames