Chow is a common romanization of several Chinese surnames, most notably 周 (pinyin: Zhōu) and 趙 (pinyin: Zhào), but also occasionally 鄒 (pinyin: Zōu) and other less common surnames. It is predominantly a Cantonese romanization, widely used in Hong Kong, Macau, and by overseas Chinese communities, particularly those with ancestral origins in Guangdong province.
Origin and Etymology
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周 (Zhōu): This is the most common Chinese surname romanized as Chow.
- Historical Background: The surname 周 originated from the ancient Zhou Dynasty (c. 1046–256 BC), one of the longest-lasting dynasties in Chinese history. Descendants of the royal house and those living in the former territory of the Zhou state adopted the name.
- Meaning: The character 周 means "circumference," "complete," or "cycle."
- Distribution: It is a very common surname in mainland China, often ranking among the top ten most common surnames.
- Romanizations: Besides Chow (Cantonese), other romanizations include Chew (Hokkien, Teochew, Hakka), Chiau (Teochew), Cheo (Teochew), and Jou (Taiwanese Wade–Giles). The standard Mandarin pinyin is Zhōu.
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趙 (Zhào): This is another significant Chinese surname that can be romanized as Chow.
- Historical Background: The surname 趙 has ancient origins, tracing back to the state of Zhao during the Warring States period (475–221 BC). It became particularly prominent as the imperial surname of the Song Dynasty (960–1279 AD).
- Meaning: The character 趙 refers to an ancient state and also has associations with "to surpass" or "to make a rapid ascent."
- Distribution: It is a common surname in mainland China, frequently ranking among the top ten.
- Romanizations: Besides Chow (Cantonese), other romanizations include Chiao (Wade–Giles), Chew (Hokkien), and Cho (Korean). The standard Mandarin pinyin is Zhào.
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鄒 (Zōu): Less frequently, Chow can also be a romanization of 鄒.
- Historical Background: This surname is associated with the ancient state of Zou during the Spring and Autumn period.
- Romanizations: The standard Mandarin pinyin is Zōu.
Geographical Distribution
The romanization "Chow" is most prevalent in regions and among communities where Cantonese is widely spoken or has historically been influential. This includes:
- Hong Kong and Macau: It is a very common surname in these Special Administrative Regions.
- Southeast Asia: Particularly in Malaysia, Singapore, and parts of Indonesia, among Chinese diaspora communities.
- Western Countries: In countries like the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia, "Chow" is a common romanization for individuals of Chinese descent, especially those whose ancestors emigrated from Guangdong or Hong Kong.
Notable People
Numerous prominent individuals bear the surname Chow. This is a non-exhaustive list:
- Stephen Chow (周星馳): A renowned Hong Kong filmmaker, actor, and comedian.
- Chow Yun-fat (周潤發): A highly acclaimed Hong Kong actor, known for his roles in action films.
- Amy Chow (周婉儀): An American artistic gymnast and Olympic medalist.
- Wen-Hsiong Chow (周文雄): A prominent mathematician known for the Chow variety and Chow's theorem.
- Roger Chow (周培毅): A Hong Kong-Canadian entrepreneur and philanthropist.
- Ray Chow (鄒文懷): A Hong Kong film producer, founder of Golden Harvest. (Note: His surname is 鄒, not 周 or 趙).
- Chow Ting (周庭): A Hong Kong activist.