Meaning and origin
Derived from Chinese characters, the name Liu has multiple meanings and variations. It is believed to have ancient roots dating back to the Zhou dynasty, and it has been passed down through generations, representing different branches and lineages within the Chinese culture.
The longer story
The last name Liu is a Chinese surname that is widely held by people of Chinese descent. The name is spelled as Liu in Mandarin Chinese using the pinyin romanization system, and is also sometimes spelled as Liew, Liou, or Lau in other romanization systems or different dialects.
The surname is associated with the earliest Chinese dynasties, such as the Xia (c. 2070–c. 1600 BC), Shang (c. 1600–c. 1046 BC), and Zhou (c. 1046–256 BC) dynasties. The Liu clan was considered a noble lineage and held significant power during various periods in Chinese history.
The Han Dynasty is considered a golden age in Chinese history, known for its economic prosperity, cultural advancements, and significant influence on subsequent dynasties.
Surname origins are rarely settled: one spelling can have several sources, and families often took a name for reasons nobody wrote down. Check it against the sources below before you rely on it.
#411
Liu was the 411th most common surname in the 2010 US Census, with 78,370 people, about 27 in every 100,000.
Who carries it
Surnames like Liu
Names it is linked with, then names with the same origin and a similar standing.
Check the sources
- Forebears: where Liu is found around the world
- The Internet Surname Database: a second opinion on the origin
- US Census Bureau: the 2010 surname figures used here
For a name you are serious about, compare the dictionaries: Reaney and Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames; Hanks, Dictionary of American Family Names.