Surname Fa - Meaning and Origin
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Fa: What does the surname Fa mean?
The last name ‘Fa’ is a common surname in many countries around the world. It is of Chinese origin and is associated with the ancient Chinese social class of prominent families, known as the 'fa'.
In Chinese, the word fa (发) means ‘surname’. It literally translates to ‘start’ or ‘beginning,’ which is why it is a popular name choice for many Chinese families.
The Fa surname is found among the Han Chinese population and has many different spellings and variations, including Fa, Fa, Fa, Fang, Fai, Fei and Fai. It is most commonly found in Taiwan and Hong Kong, and it has been used by a sizeable number of people in these regions since the time of the (late 1700s – early 1800s).
The original meaning of the surname Fa may have reflected the family’s excellent reputation and stimulated their wish to build up a long and lasting line of name descendants. In some South China provinces like Guangdong and Fujian, the name Fa is related to the Lyu’s surname (with the pronunciation 余).
Today, the Fa surname still carries the same meaning of ‘start’ or ‘beginning’ and it is therefore seen as a symbol of hope and good luck by those who bear it. The Fa name is still very popular in China, and it is often associated with success and prosperity throughout several Asian countries.
Order DNA origin analysisFa: Where does the name Fa come from?
The surname Fa is a common name that can be found throughout the world today. It originated from China and is one of the most populous surnames in the world. The origin of the surname Fa can be traced back to the Northern and Southern Dynasties period, when a certain Wu Fa adopted the surname. The name Fa has since spread to multiple countries in East and Southeast Asia, including Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Thailand, and the Philippines.
The Fa surname is also common in Macau, where it is the ninth most popular surname. The name Fa is also found in other countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, where it is of Chinese descent. In some areas, the surname has also been adapted to sound more Western. In Singapore, for example, it is pronounced "Phua".
The meaning of the surname varies and can be interpreted in several ways. In ancient China, it was used to denote a high status or scholarly background. The surname is also believed to signify loyalty, duty, and respect, a theme that is found in the Chinese classics.
Today, the surname Fa is still found throughout different countries in East and Southeast Asia, across North and South America, and in several other places around the world. As the surname continues to spread, its maing and significance remain alive and true.
Variations of the surname Fa
The surname Fa has many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. Faxton, Faughn, Faw, Fay, Fawsitt, Fawley, Farr, Fau, Farrer, Faull, Farel, and Fauls are all variant spellings of the same surname. Frasure, Frazee, Frazier, and Frazer are all surnames with similar roots as Fa. All of these surnames are derived from the Latin word ‘faber’ which means craftsman, artisan, or smith. This was a common name given to a person whose family were skilled craftsman in Medieval England.
The surname Fa can also be traced back to the Old English ‘fa’, meaning sheep or wool. In this usage the surname would have referred to a wool merchant or clothier in the Middle Ages. It also can be traced to the Old Germanic ‘faw’, meaning a peasant or serf. This would have been a common name given to commoners in Medieval heraldry.
Finally, the surname Fa can also be linked to the Scottish Gaelic word ‘fà’ which means ‘greatness’ or nobility. This was often an inherited title given to families of great wealth and status in Scotland.
All in all, the surname Fa has many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. It’s a long and varied history, tracing its roots back to Medieval England, Scotland, and Germanic peasantry.
Famous people with the name Fa
- Aziza Fa: Sudanese singer
- Chris Fa'afoi: New Zealand politician
- Wallace Fa'agata: Samoan swimmer
- Feauai-Savage Fa: Samoan footballer
- Cian Fahey: Irish sports analyst
- Liu Fa: Chinese calligrapher
- Chen Fa-ke: Taiwanese painter
- Pierette Fa-Kaji: Cameroonian writer
- Ehsanollah Fa: Afghan volleyball player
- Jibin Fa: Chinese cricketer