Summary

The surname TAN is of Chinese origin and is one of the most common surnames in China. It dates back several thousand years and has a rich history associated with it. It is believed to have originated from the ancient state of Tan during the Zhou Dynasty. TAN is a versatile surname and is found among various Chinese ethnic groups such as the Han, Hokkien, and Cantonese.
There are
32120
Tans in the USA
Tan is the
1090th
most common last name in the USA

Historical figures and celebrities called Tan

VanessaTan

Vanessa Tan is a Malaysian actress known for her roles in local films and television series. She gained popularity for her role in the hit drama 'Ola Bola.'

TanTwan

Tan Twan Eng is a Malaysian novelist known for his critically acclaimed books, including 'The Gift of Rain' and 'The Garden of Evening Mists,' which was shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize.

TanCheng

Tan Cheng Bock is a Singaporean politician and former Member of Parliament. He ran for the presidency in 2011 and narrowly lost in a close race.

TanDun

Tan Dun is a Chinese composer and conductor known for his work on film scores, including 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,' which won him an Academy Award for Best Original Score.

TanJing

Tan Jing is a Chinese singer known for her powerful vocals and performances. She rose to fame after winning the singing competition show 'Super Girl' in 2006.

TanSri

Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin is a Malaysian politician who served as the 8th Prime Minister of Malaysia from March 2020 to August 2021. He was the president of the United Malays National Organization (UMNO).

EdwinTan

Edwin Tan is a Malaysian fashion designer known for his innovative and avant-garde designs. He has showcased his work at various international fashion events.

TanHui

Tan Hui Ling is a Singaporean activist and lawyer known for her work in human rights and migrant worker advocacy. She co-founded the organization, HOME (Humanitarian Organization for Migration Economics).

TanMalaka

Tan Malaka was an Indonesian nationalist and communist leader. He played a significant role in the Indonesian independence movement and championed the rights of workers and peasants.

TanSri

Tan Sri Dr. Noor Hisham Abdullah is a Malaysian physician and health official who has become a key figure in Malaysia's fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. He serves as the Director-General of Health.

Tan Genealogy

OriginsThe surname 'Tan' has origins in various cultures and countries like China, Malaysia, and Singapore. In Chinese, 'Tan' can mean 'greedy' or 'long-lasting,' while in Malaysian and Singaporean context, it can be a common Chinese surname.
Geographic DistributionThe surname 'Tan' is common in China, Malaysia, Singapore, and other Southeast Asian countries with significant Chinese populations. It can also be found in overseas Chinese communities around the world, including the United States and Canada.
VariationsVariations of the surname 'Tan' include 'Tanaka' (Japanese), 'Chen' (Chinese), 'Lim' (Chinese, Malaysian), 'Lee' (Chinese, Korean), 'Ng' (Chinese, Cantonese), 'Liu' (Chinese), 'Wang' (Chinese), 'Wong' (Chinese, Cantonese), 'Zhang' (Chinese), and 'Li' (Chinese).
Migration and ImmigrationPeople with the surname 'Tan' have migrated and immigrated to various countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and other countries with Chinese diaspora communities. Many Chinese immigrants with the surname 'Tan' have sought better economic opportunities and educational prospects.