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Last Name Qiu

What is the origin of the last name Qiu?

The surname Qiu (also spelled as Chu, Chiú, or Zhou) is an ancient Chinese surname that can be traced back to the Xia Dynasty (approximately 2070 BCE - 1600 BCE). According to traditional Chinese legends, the Qiu clan was one of the Five Clans of the Xia Dynasty and the surname is said to have originated from the ancestor named Qi, who lived during the reign of Emperor Jie of the legendary Xia Dynasty. The Qiu clan was believed to be skilled in divination and astronomy and served as the official astronomers and astrologers for the Xia court. Over time, this surname spread throughout China and became one of the most common surnames in many regions, particularly in the province of Jiangsu.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Qiu

The meaning and origin of the last name Qiu

The surname Qiu (also spelled Chiu, Chiou, or Kiu) is of Chinese origin, specifically belonging to the Han ethnic group. It is one of the most common surnames in China and has multiple possible origins. One theory traces it back to the Xia Dynasty (21st – 17th century BCE), where it was associated with the Qi state, named after a legendary founder called Qi. Another theory suggests the surname originated from an occupational name, referring to a person who cooked or seasoned food, as "Qiu" can mean 'seasoning' in ancient Chinese. However, it is important to note that many Chinese surnames do not have definitive etymologies due to the complex history and cultural evolution of China. The Qiu surname is pronounced differently depending on the dialect, such as "Chyu" or "Jyu" in Cantonese, and "Qiu" in Mandarin.

Geographical distribution of the last name Qiu

The surname Qiu is primarily distributed across East Asia, predominantly in China, with significant concentrations in the provinces of Anhui, Jiangsu, and Zhejiang. A notable diaspora population of people with the surname Qiu can be found in various countries worldwide, particularly in Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, the United States, Canada, Australia, and Western European nations such as the UK and Germany. This widespread distribution reflects historical migrations and cultural exchanges between China and other parts of the world. The name Qiu is derived from the Chinese character 秋, which means "autumn" in English.

Variants and spellings of the last name Qiu

The surname Qiu, also spelled as Chiu, Ts'ui, Tsui, or Zhu, is originated from China and belongs to the Han ethnic group. It is one of the most common surnames in China and is found in various spellings due to different transliteration methods, regional dialects, and historical changes over time. Qiu (邱) is the simplified Chinese character form, while Chiu (蒼), Ts'ui (甝), Tsui (堕), and Zhu (朱) are traditional Chinese characters for the same surname. The pronunciation varies slightly between these spellings: 'Ch'iu', 'Ts'ui', and 'Tsui' are pronounced with a glottal stop, while 'Qiu' and 'Zhu' do not have this sound. 'Qiu' is also used in the Wade-Giles system as 'Ch'iu'. In English, it may also be transcribed as Kio or Kiou, though these spellings are less common.

Famous people with the last name Qiu

Qiu Jin (1875-1907) was a Chinese feminist revolutionary and writer, widely recognized for her significant contributions to the women's rights movement during the late Qing Dynasty. Known as "Madame Liberty," she is best remembered for her heroic acts, including leading an unsuccessful uprising against the Qing government in 1907. Her writings, such as the essay "The Women's Awakening Manifesto," advocated for women's education and emancipation.

A modern-day figure with the surname Qiu is Qiu Shuqing (born 1958), a prominent Chinese businesswoman who has made significant strides in the finance industry. She currently serves as the Chairman of ZhongAn Online P&C Insurance Co., Ltd, one of China's first internet-based insurance companies. Qiu is also a member of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and has been named one of "The World's 100 Most Powerful Women" by Forbes multiple times.

In the realm of sports, Qiu Haifeng (born 1978) made history as China's first Paralympic gold medalist in swimming at the 1996 Atlanta Games. Despite losing his left arm in a car accident at the age of five, Qiu overcame his disability to become one of China's most successful Paralympians. He has won numerous medals and world records throughout his career.

Genealogical research on the last name Qiu

The surname Qiu (履, 邱) is one of the most ancient and widespread Chinese family names, tracing back to the Xia Dynasty (21st–16th century BCE). It originated from the Yi clan, one of the five clans that were said to have given their names to the five fundamental relationships in Confucianism. The character "Qiu" has two primary interpretations: "to walk on" and "to carry or transport." Over time, it developed regional variations, such as Qiang (姜) in Fujian province, which derives from a different character with a similar pronunciation. Notable figures bearing the surname Qiu include Qiu Ju (邱菊), the protagonist of the Pulitzer Prize-winning play "Fuchsia Wind Will Rise" by Gao Xingjian, and Qiu Jin (邱金), a revolutionary martyr who fought for women's rights during the late Qing Dynasty. The genealogy of the Qiu clan is vast, with many branches spread across China and overseas Chinese communities.

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 : 11 June 2025

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