Last Name Vo

The surname "Vo" is of Vietnamese origin. It is one of the most common Vietnamese surnames and is derived from the Chinese surname "Fu," which was brought to Vietnam during the Han Dynasty (206 BC – 220 AD). The surname "Vo" can be translated as "canoe" or "boat." In Vietnam, it is one of the "four great families" along with Tran, Phung, and Nguyen.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Vo

The meaning and origin of the last name Vo

The surname Vo is of French and Vietnamese origin. In France, it is a variant of the name Jean, which comes from the Hebrew name Yohanan, meaning "God is gracious." It was introduced to France by Crusaders in the Middle Ages and has since been common throughout the country.

In Vietnam, the surname Vo (also spelled Pho) has a different origin and meaning. It is one of the five most common Vietnamese family names, and it comes from the Chinese word for "bow" or "arrow." The character 卯, which sounds similar to "Vo" in Vietnamese, represents a bow, reflecting the agricultural and martial traditions of ancient Vietnam. Over time, the surname Vo has spread throughout Vietnam and its diaspora communities around the world.

Geographical distribution of the last name Vo

The last name Vo is predominantly of Vietnamese origin and is commonly found in Vietnam. It is one of the most frequent surnames in the country, particularly among ethnic groups such as the Kinh, who make up the majority of Vietnam's population. The name also has appearances in other Southeast Asian countries with significant Vietnamese populations, like Cambodia, Laos, and France (due to historical migrations). In addition, there are small diaspora communities in North America and Europe where the last name Vo can be found. However, its frequency significantly decreases outside of these regions.

Variants and spellings of the last name Vo

The surname "Vo" has various spelling and pronunciation variations due to differences in regional dialects and transliteration from other languages. Some common spellings include: Vó, Vò, Vơ, Vỡ, Vọt, Vợt, Vở, Vớt, Vớc, Võ, Vỡng, Vơn, and Vô. These variations can be found among Vietnamese families, as "Vo" is a common surname in Vietnam. It may also appear with diacritics or without them, depending on the writing system used. While these differences exist, the surname "Vo" remains one of the most popular and widespread Vietnamese last names worldwide.

Famous people with the last name Vo

Notable individuals with the surname Vo include Trần Lệ Xuân, a renowned Vietnamese actress and singer who has received multiple awards for her work in film and music. Another notable figure is Vanessa-Mae Vanakorn Nicholson, a British violinist and singer of Thai-Chinese descent born to a family of Vietnamese origin. She is known for her successful crossover career, having released multiple albums that combined classical music with pop and rock genres. In the world of sports, Hanoi Vo Thanh was a prominent figure in the American football league, playing as an offensive tackle for teams such as the San Francisco 49ers and Dallas Cowboys. Vo Quy Luong is a Vietnamese-American physicist who made significant contributions to the field of nuclear physics, including the discovery of superheavy elements. Lastly, Vo Duy Anh is a Vietnamese actor who gained fame for his roles in popular films such as "The Tiger Cage" and "The Lost City."

Genealogical research on the last name Vo

The surname Vo originates from Vietnam, where it is one of the most common ethnic-specific surnames among the Kinh people, who predominantly inhabit the lowland areas of the country. Historically, the name has been traced back to the Nguyen Dynasty (1802-1945), which ruled Vietnam for over three centuries. The Nguyen family, from which the dynasty was derived, included various branches such as the Nguyen Phuc and Nguyen Hoang, many of whom bore the surname Vo. However, a significant number of Vietnamese immigrants adopted the name Vo upon arrival in other countries, particularly during the Vietnam War era (1955-1975). The meaning of the name Vo is debated; it may be derived from the Vietnamese word "vo," which means forest or wood, or it could originate from a Chinese surname, Wu. Genealogical research on the Vo family in Vietnam is complicated due to centuries of political unrest and the lack of accessible historical records. Nonetheless, efforts are ongoing to preserve and document the lineages and histories of Vietnamese families like the Vos.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Vo"
• Global distribution of the surname on Forebears.io
• Wikipedia Article

About the author :

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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