All surnames

Chinese surname

Zhou

Name of the Zhou dynasty

Locational surname

From 周 (zhou), the name of the influential ancient Zhou dynasty.

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Frequently asked questions

What does the surname Zhou mean?

Name of the Zhou dynasty. From 周 (zhou), the name of the influential ancient Zhou dynasty.

Is Zhou a common surname?

Zhou is a Chinese-origin surname. Popularity varies widely by country and region, and the same surname can be common in one place and rare in another.

Can two families with the same surname be unrelated?

Yes. Surnames, especially occupational and descriptive ones like this, were often adopted independently by many unrelated families who happened to share a trade, appearance, or location.

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