郭
Guo
Pronounced like: "Gwor"
Other Spellings: Kwok, Quek, Kuek, Gock, Quach
Quick Facts
Origin and History of the Guo Family Name
L'origine principale du nom de famille Guo remonte à la famille Ji (姬), le clan royal de la dynastie Zhou. Les frères cadets du roi Wen de Zhou, Guo Zhong et Guo Shu, ont été investis des territoires du Guo occidental et du Guo oriental, respectivement. Après l'annexion de ces États, leurs descendants ont adopté le nom de l'État comme nom de famille pour commémorer leur héritage. Une autre branche provient du nom de famille Ren (任), remontant aux descendants du légendaire Empereur Jaune. En outre, au cours des périodes d'intégration ethnique, divers groupes ethniques non-Han tels que les Xiongnu, les peuples turcs et les Sogdiens ont adopté « Guo » comme nom de famille lorsqu'ils se sont assimilés à la culture Han, souvent sur décret impérial.
What Does the Chinese Surname Guo Mean?
Le nom de famille « Guo » (郭) se traduit littéralement par le « mur d'enceinte » ou le « faubourg » d'une ville. Dans l'urbanisme chinois ancien, les villes étaient structurées avec deux couches de murs : le mur intérieur appelé « Cheng » et le mur extérieur connu sous le nom de « Guo ». Le « Guo » servait de fortification protectrice entourant la zone urbaine intérieure. Par conséquent, le nom désignait à l'origine les personnes qui résidaient dans ces districts extérieurs ou qui étaient responsables de l'entretien et de la défense des murs extérieurs. Il symbolise la protection, les frontières et l'expansion, reflétant l'infrastructure urbaine historique des anciennes civilisations chinoises où l'organisation spatiale était primordiale pour la défense et la hiérarchie sociale. Le caractère lui-même combine des composants indiquant une ville et un mur.
Global Pronunciation and Variants of Guo
| Variant | Primary Region |
|---|---|
| Kwok | Cantonese |
| Quek | Hokkien |
| Kuek | Teochew |
| Gock | Toisanese |
| Quach | Vietnamese |
| Kwak | Korean |
Famous People With the Surname Guo
1. Guo Ziyi : Un général renommé de la dynastie Tang dont les prouesses militaires ont contribué à réprimer la rébellion d'An Lushan et à stabiliser l'empire pendant plusieurs décennies.
2. Guo Shoujing : Un célèbre polymathe de la dynastie Yuan, distingué pour ses contributions exceptionnelles à l'astronomie, aux mathématiques et à l'ingénierie hydraulique.
3. Guo Moruo : Un auteur, historien et archéologue chinois moderne prolifique qui a joué un rôle central dans le développement de la littérature chinoise du XXe siècle.
Clan Motto
Traditional clan mottos for the 郭 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.
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Chinese Surnames & Last Names FAQ
What does the Chinese surname Guo (郭) mean?+
The surname 'Guo' (郭) literally translates to the 'outer wall' or 'suburb' of a city. In ancient Chinese city planning, cities were structured with two layers of walls: the inner wall called 'Cheng' and the outer wall known as 'Guo'. The 'Guo' served as a protective fortification surrounding the inner urban area. Therefore, the name originally designated people who resided in these outer districts or were responsible for the maintenance and defense of the outer walls. It symbolizes protection, boundaries, and expansion, reflecting the historical urban infrastructure of ancient Chinese civilizations where spatial organization was paramount for defense and social hierarchy. The character itself combines components indicating a city and a wall, reinforcing its geographic and structural significance in the landscape of ancient feudal China.
How common is the surname Guo?+
The surname Guo ranks approximately #16 among all Chinese surnames.
How do you pronounce the surname 郭?+
In Mandarin Pinyin, it is written as Guo. For English speakers, it is pronounced similarly to "Gwor".
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.