The concept of the surname or family name in Chinese existed as early as 5,000 years ago. At that time the society was matriarchal, so children knew their mothers, but often not their fathers. As a result, a child’s surname would be that of their mother. It is for this reason that the modern character for “surname,” or “姓,” is made up of the components “女,” or “woman,” and “生,” or “to give birth to.”
Over time, as Chinese society transitioned into a patriarchal one, a child’s surname became something that was passed down by their father. This is still the case today, as surnames are inherited by children from their father. Generally, a person’s surname will not change. This is even the case for women in China, as they usually retain their own family name after they marry.
Tags:Chinese names
