Origin of your surname and forename !
NomOrigine

Last Name Vo

Discover my family history now

What is the origin of the 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

Chargement de la carte...

NomOrigine Team
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 :

Share the origin of your last name with your friends

Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Pinterest WhatsApp Messenger Telegram

Search the origin of a family name

Enter the surname you are looking for below:

Similar Last Names

#1 Võ hồng

Last name • surnames > vo-h-ng

The last name Vo Hng is of Vietnamese origin.

#2 Vo nhu

Last name • surnames > vo-nhu

Please wait, data loading. It may take 1 minute or 2...

#3 Vo-van-hien

Last name • surnames > vo-van-hien

The surname Vo-Van-Hien is Vietnamese and it likely follows a common Vietnamese naming convention where a family takes a surname (ho) and given names. In this case, "Vo" and "Van" ...

#4 Voak

Last name • surnames > voak

The last name "Voak" is of English origin. It is derived from the Old English word "woc," meaning "watchful" or "vigilant." The name likely originated as a nickname for someone who...

#5 Vobbilisetty

Last name • surnames > vobbilisetty

The last name Vobbilisetty is of Indian origin, specifically Telugu. It is a combination of the words "Vobbili," which is a village in the Krishna district of Andhra Pradesh, and "...

#6 Voborsky

Last name • surnames > voborsky

The last name Voborsky is of Czech origin. It is derived from the place name "Vobory" in the Czech Republic, indicating that the original bearer of the surname was from or associat...

#7 Vocalistah

Last name • surnames > vocalistah

The last name "vocalistah" does not appear to have a known origin or meaning in English. It may be a variant spelling or a made-up surname.

#8 Vocanson

Last name • surnames > vocanson

The last name Vocanson is of French origin, specifically from the region of Picardy. It is a habitation name from any of several places called Vaux-Cançon or Vau-Canson, which are...

#9 Vodaley

Last name • surnames > vodaley

The surname "Vodaley" has an unclear origin and meaning. It does not have a widely known or documented history.

#10 Voddiral

Last name • surnames > voddiral

The last name "Voddiral" is of Slovak origin. It is derived from the Slovak word "vodca," meaning leader or guide, and the suffix "-ral" indicating someone who performs a specific ...

#11 Vodker-x

Last name • surnames > vodker-x

The last name "Vodker" is of Slavic origin, specifically Russian or Ukrainian. It is derived from the word "водка" which means "vodka" in Russian and Ukrainian languages. It i...

#12 Vodolazsky

Last name • surnames > vodolazsky

The last name Vodolazsky is of Russian origin. It is derived from the word "vodolaz," which means "diver" in Russian. This surname may have been given to someone who worked as a di...

#13 Voegels

Last name • surnames > voegels

The surname Voegels is of German origin. It is derived from a Middle High German word "vogel," meaning "bird" or "falcon." This surname was often given to individuals who lived nea...

#14 Voelker

Last name • surnames > voelker

The surname Voelker is of German origin, specifically from the region of Westphalia. It is derived from the Middle High German "fouwe" meaning "fox" and "cher" or "her" meaning "ar...

#15 Voelz

Last name • surnames > voelz

The last name Voelz is of German origin. It is derived from the German word "Voell" or "Voll," meaning "full" or "plump." This surname was most likely used to describe someone who ...