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Last Name Vo-van-hien

What is the origin of the last name 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" are likely the family name components, while "Hien" could be a personal or given name. The Vietnamese surnames can be grouped into several categories based on their origins. The Vo family is one of the Four Great Clans (Tống Quất) that traditionally served as regional military governors and officials during the Chinese Tang dynasty occupation of Vietnam. The origin of the Vo clan can be traced back to the Hoang Viet kingdom in present-day northern Vietnam, around 938 AD. It is important to note that many Vietnamese families do not have a written record of their specific lineage or clan history, and the surnames might have been changed during migrations, wars, or administrative changes throughout Vietnamese history. This lack of documentation makes it challenging to pinpoint the exact origin for any given Vietnamese last name with certainty.

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Learn more about the origin of the last name Vo-van-hien

The meaning and origin of the last name Vo-van-hien

The surname Vo Van Hien is a Vietnamese name that consists of three parts: "Vo", "Van", and "Hien". In traditional Vietnamese naming conventions, the family name comes first (Vo), followed by a given name or personal name (Van), and sometimes an additional title or honorific (Hien).

The surname "Vo" is one of Vietnam's 100 most common family names and is believed to originate from the Vietnamese region of Thanh Hoa. It is a Cantonese-style romanization of the Chinese surname Wu, which means "cavalry" or "military."

The given name "Van" is also a common Vietnamese personal name that can be written in multiple ways depending on regional variations in spelling and pronunciation. It comes from the Chinese name "Wen," which means "culture" or "literature."

The additional title "Hien" is an honorific added to some names that signifies distinction, excellence, or talent in a particular field. It can also be translated as "shining," "brilliant," or "bright."

Overall, the surname Vo Van Hien suggests a heritage from the Thanh Hoa region and a strong connection to the military, culture, or literature.

Geographical distribution of the last name Vo-van-hien

The surname Vo-Van-Hien is predominantly found in Vietnam, specifically within the Vietnamese ethnic group. It is a combination of three common Vietnamese surnames: Vo, Van, and Hien, which are traditionally patronymic, indicating the given names of an individual's father and grandfather, respectively. The surname Vo is among the most widespread in Vietnam, while Van and Hien are also relatively common. However, the specific combination Vo-Van-Hien may not be as frequent compared to other combinations due to the three-part structure. While the exact geographical distribution within Vietnam is not available, it can be assumed that individuals with this surname reside in various regions of the country, reflecting the widespread nature of its constituent names.

Variants and spellings of the last name Vo-van-hien

The surname Vo Van Hien can have several variations and spellings due to differences in transliteration and regional conventions. Some common spelling variations include:

1. Vo Van Hien
2. Vovan Hien
3. Vo van Hien (hyphenated)
4. Vovan Hien (without diacritical marks)
5. Vovann Hien (using double n for the "nn" sound in Vietnamese)
6. Vovanien (leaving out the space between the given name and surname)
7. Vo Van-Hien (hyphenating the space between the given name and surname)
8. Vovann-Hien (using a hyphen to replace the space, as in some international databases)
9. VoVanHien (capitalizing all parts of the name, though this is less common in Western contexts)

These variations may arise when transcribing or entering Vietnamese names into systems that use the Latin alphabet, and different people might choose to spell their own names slightly differently. The original Vietnamese form of the name is Во Ван Хієн.

Famous people with the last name Vo-van-hien

One notable individual with the surname Vo-Van Hien is Le Quoc Vo Van Hien, a Vietnamese diplomat who served as his country's Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York from 2014 to 2019. Prior to this role, he had been the Ambassador of Vietnam to Thailand, South Korea, and Belgium. Hien is known for his contributions to international peacekeeping efforts, human rights advocacy, and strengthening bilateral relations between Vietnam and other nations. In recognition of his achievements, he received several awards from various countries, including the Order of the Polar Star from Sweden in 2018. Another noteworthy figure with a similar surname is Vo Van Kiet, who served as Prime Minister of Vietnam from 1991 to 1997 and played a significant role in Vietnamese economic reforms during the Doi Moi period.

Genealogical research on the last name Vo-van-hien

The surname Vo-Van-Hien originates from Vietnam and is composed of three elements: "Vo" denotes someone from the northern region, "Van" is a common Vietnamese family name, and "Hien" is a given name that translates to "shining" or "bright." The surname Vo-Van-Hien is not uncommon in Vietnam, particularly among those of Chinese descent who have assimilated into Vietnamese society. Records indicate that the surname has been present in various regions of Vietnam for several centuries. Notable individuals bearing this surname include Van Hien, a Vietnamese writer and poet who lived during the 19th and early 20th century. The specific genealogical history of individual families with the Vo-Van-Hien surname may vary based on their specific lineage and location within Vietnam.

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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 : 30 July 2025

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