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Last Name Huo

What is the origin of the last name Huo?

The surname Huo (霍) has Chinese origins and is one of the ancient Chinese clan names dating back to the Zhou Dynasty (1046 BCE - 256 BCE). In Chinese, it is composed of two characters: "霍" (Huo) meaning "cave" or "cavern", and "氏" (Shi), which is a general suffix denoting a surname. It belongs to the group of surnames known as Xia Clans, indicating that its ancestor was from the Xia Dynasty (2100 BCE - 1600 BCE). The specific origins of individual families with the Huo surname can vary and are often traced back to their regional or local histories.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Huo

The meaning and origin of the last name Huo

The surname Huo (also spelled as Who or Hwu) is a Chinese family name belonging to the Han Chinese ethnic group. It translates to "fire" or "flame" in Mandarin, reflecting its origin from one of the Five Elements (Wu Xing) in traditional Chinese culture. The character used for Huo (火) consists of two components: "mouth" (咸) and "flame" (灌). This phonetic compound is often seen in Chinese surnames, representing the sound similarity between words. The Huo clan, like many other Chinese clans, has a long history dating back to ancient times, though specific origins are often difficult to trace due to the complex and fragmented nature of early Chinese records. Notable figures with the surname Huo include Huo Qubing, a prominent general during the Three Kingdoms period, and Huo Yuanjia, a martial artist from the late Qing Dynasty. The name has been carried by millions of people in China over centuries, making it one of the more common surnames in the country.

Geographical distribution of the last name Huo

The surname Huo (also spelled as Huo, Hwu, or Wu) is of Chinese origin and is predominantly found in China, specifically in regions such as Sichuan, Hunan, Jiangxi, Zhejiang, and Fujian provinces. It is one of the most common surnames in China, with estimates suggesting that it is the 17th most frequent surname in the country. The Huo clan originated from the Shu Kingdom during the Three Kingdoms period (220-280 AD), and their influence has been significant in Chinese history, particularly in the fields of politics, military, and literature. The diaspora of Chinese people around the world has also resulted in the presence of individuals with the Huo surname in various countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and many other nations with significant Chinese communities.

Variants and spellings of the last name Huo

The surname Huo, originally Chinese, has several variations and spellings in English. One such variation is Hwu, which is a phonetic spelling that aims to represent the pronunciation of the original Mandarin name more accurately. Another variation is Hu, which is a shortened form of the original name and is also commonly used among Chinese speakers and writers. In addition, there are other variations such as Howe, Hue, Who, and Wu, which may have arisen due to historical migrations, cultural assimilation, or typographical errors over time. While these variations may seem significant, it's important to note that all of these names share a common origin in the Chinese character 霍 (Huò), which represents the grasshopper.

Famous people with the last name Huo

Huo (霍 or 郝) is a Chinese surname, ranked among the top 100 most common surnames in China. Notable individuals bearing this surname include:

1. Huo Yuanjia (霍元甲), also known as Huo Baijie (霍拔傌), a famous martial artist, boxer, and founder of the Chinese martial art, Huquan (沐拳). He was active during the late Qing Dynasty, and his life story has been dramatized in numerous films.
2. Huo Junjiu (霍俊九), a contemporary Chinese film director and screenwriter known for his works "Blind Massage" and "Crazy Alien". He was the first Chinese director to win the Best Director award at the Asian Film Awards.
3. Huo Xuan (霍轩), a Chinese actor and model who gained fame after winning the 2015 Mister International pageant, becoming the first Chinese contestant to win the title.
4. Huo Xuemei (霍雪梅), a renowned Chinese actress and singer, known for her roles in films such as "The Banquet" and "Farewell My Concubine". She won numerous awards for her performances throughout her career.
5. Huo-Jun Bo (霍俊波), a Canadian astrophysicist and professor at the University of Toronto, known for his work on supernova remnants and neutron stars. He is also an author of several popular science books.

These individuals have made significant contributions in various fields, including martial arts, film, modeling, music, and science.

Genealogical research on the last name Huo

The Huo surname, originating from China, is one rooted in ancient history and tradition. Traced back to the Zhou Dynasty (1046 BCE - 256 BCE), it belongs to the Jiang-Huai branch of the Yi (Yi-Jiang) clan, one of the Five Ruling Clans during the Zhou period. The Huo surname can be found in the Book of Records of the Song Dynasty (960-1279 CE), indicating its prominence and antiquity. Throughout Chinese history, notable individuals with the Huo surname include Huo Qubing, a general during the Three Kingdoms period (220-280 CE); Huo Yuanjia, a martial artist in the late Qing Dynasty; and Huo Jie, a prominent scientist in modern China. Today, the Huo surname is widely distributed across China, particularly in provinces such as Anhui, Jiangsu, and Henan.

Last name distribution maps

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Sources & References

About the author :
NomOrigine Team
NomOrigine Team
Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.
Last updated : 14 June 2025

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