毛
Mao
Pronounced like: "Ma-oh"
Other Spellings: Mao, Mo, Mau, Mô
Quick Facts
Origin and History of the Mao Family Name
Der Hauptursprung des Nachnamens Mao geht auf die Familie Ji (姬) zurück, das Kaiserhaus der Zhou-Dynastie. Mao Shu Zheng, der jüngere Bruder von König Wu von Zhou, wurde während der westlichen Zhou-Dynastie im Staat Mao (im heutigen Henan oder Shaanxi) belehnt. Seine Nachkommen nahmen den Namen des Staates als Nachnamen an. Ein weiterer Zweig stammt vom Volk der Di und anderen nicht-han-ethnischen Gruppen ab, die den Namen in Zeiten kultureller Integration annahmen. Im Laufe der Geschichte wanderte der Clan von Nordchina in den Süden aus und wurde zu einer prominenten Familie in Regionen wie Hunan und Zhejiang.
What Does the Chinese Surname Mao Mean?
Der Nachname 'Mao' (毛) bedeutet wörtlich übersetzt 'Haar', 'Feder', 'Fell' oder 'Flaum'. In alten chinesischen Kontexten bezog er sich oft auf die Vegetation, die die Erde bedeckt, oder die schützende äußere Schicht von Tieren. Als Familienname ist er eher ein Marker für die Abstammung der Vorfahren als eine wörtliche Beschreibung. Er symbolisiert Wachstum und Natur und wird oft mit der Vitalität von Lebewesen und den komplizierten Details der natürlichen Welt in Verbindung gebracht. Historisch gesehen wurde er von mehreren Clans als topographischer Name oder abgeleitet von den Namen alter Lehen, die dem Adel gewährt wurden, angenommen.
Global Pronunciation and Variants of Mao
| Variant | Primary Region |
|---|---|
| Mao | Mandarin |
| Mo | Cantonese |
| Mau | Hakka |
| Mô | Hokkien |
| Mao | Vietnam |
Famous People With the Surname Mao
1. Mao Zedong: Eine wegweisende Figur der modernen Geschichte, er war der Gründervater der Volksrepublik China und führte die Kommunistische Partei 1949 zum Sieg.
2. Mao Sui: Ein legendärer Diplomat und Stratege während der Zeit der Streitenden Reiche, berühmt für das Idiom 'Mao Sui empfiehlt sich selbst', nachdem er erfolgreich ein Bündnis für den Staat Zhao ausgehandelt hatte.
3. Mao Yisheng: Ein weltbekannter Bauingenieur und Sozialaktivist, der für den Entwurf der Qiantang-Fluss-Brücke gefeiert wird, der ersten modernen Brücke, die von einem chinesischen Ingenieur entworfen und gebaut wurde.
Clan Motto
Traditional clan mottos for the 毛 surname emphasize virtues such as integrity, diligence, and respect for one's ancestors. While specific wording may vary across regions and historical branches of the family, the spirit of these mottos is to honor the family line and live with moral responsibility in everyday life.
Looking for a Chinese Name with the Surname Mao?
Use our intelligent generator to find a culturally authentic Chinese name tailored to your preferences.
Perfect Names to Pair with Mao
Explore Related Surnames
Chinese Surnames & Last Names FAQ
What does the Chinese surname Mao (毛) mean?+
The surname 'Mao' (毛) literally translates to 'hair,' 'feather,' 'fur,' or 'down.' In ancient Chinese contexts, it often referred to the vegetation covering the earth or the protective outer layer of animals. As a family name, it is a marker of ancestral lineage rather than a literal description. It symbolizes growth and nature, often associated with the vitality of living things and the intricate details of the natural world. Historically, it was adopted by several clans as a topographic name or derived from the names of ancient fiefdoms granted to nobility.
How common is the surname Mao?+
The surname Mao ranks approximately #87 among all Chinese surnames.
How do you pronounce the surname 毛?+
In Mandarin Pinyin, it is written as Mao. For English speakers, it is pronounced similarly to "Ma-oh".
How many Chinese surnames are there?+
Historically, there are over 4,000 Chinese surnames, but only about 500 are in common use today. Our database covers these 500+ essential family names.
What are the most common Chinese last names?+
The most common Chinese last names are Wang (王), Li (李), and Zhang (张). Together, they account for over 20% of the population in China.
Are Chinese names written surname first?+
Yes, in Chinese culture, the surname is written first, followed by the given name. For example, in 'Li Shimin', 'Li' is the family name.
How can I find the meaning of my Chinese last name?+
Every Chinese surname has a distinct meaning rooted in ancient clans, professions, or elements. You can search our directory to find the specific origin of your name.
What is the 'Hundred Family Surnames' (Baijiaxing)?+
The 'Hundred Family Surnames' (百家姓) is a classic Chinese text compiling common surnames. Originally containing over 400 last names, it is a foundational piece of Chinese cultural identity.
Are there two-character Chinese surnames?+
Yes. While most are single-character (like Wang or Li), there are compound surnames (复姓 - Fùxìng) consisting of two characters, such as Ouyang (欧阳), Zhuge (诸葛), and Sima (司马).
Do Chinese women change their last name after marriage?+
Traditionally, no. Chinese women keep their maiden surname after marriage. It is very rare for a wife to adopt her husband's last name in Chinese culture.
What is the oldest Chinese surname?+
The oldest Chinese surnames often contain the 'woman' radical (女), such as Ji (姬), Jiang (姜), and Yao (姚), tracing back thousands of years to ancient matriarchal societies.
Why do so many people share the same Chinese last name?+
Due to centuries of population growth, clan consolidations, and the historical adoption of imperial surnames, a massive portion of the population now shares a small pool of common last names.
How are Chinese last names inherited?+
A Chinese surname is almost universally inherited from the father, maintaining the patrilineal clan lineage spanning dozens of generations.