CHEUNG
Cheung is a surname of Chinese origin. The name is predominantly found in Hong Kong and the Guangdong province of China. Its source character is 張, which translates in English as “to stretch” or “to open”. In Cantonese, the character is pronounced Cheung, while in Mandarin it is rendered as Zhāng. The two pronunciations reflect the linguistic diversity within the Chinese‑speaking world.
The character 張 carries connotations of openness, ambition, and adaptability. These qualities are often reflected in the way bearers of the surname are perceived within their communities. The name therefore conveys an implicit sense of dynamism and resolute stretch towards new horizons.
In terms of orthography, Cheung is one of several romanisations of 張. Other common spellings include Chang—the standard Pinyin rendering used in Mainland China—Cheong as found in some Hong Kong romanisation schemes, and Zhāng in Mandarin or Chan in some Taiwanese contexts. This multiplicity of spellings mirrors the varied Chinese dialects and colonial histories that have influenced the transliteration of Chinese surnames.
Statistical data indicate that 張 ranks among the most frequent family names in the Chinese‑speaking world. Within Hong Kong’s population registers, it is one of the leading surnames, and in Guangdong province it maintains a substantial presence. The widespread use of the name is partly attributable to the large size of the Han Chinese population and the long history of the surname’s bearers in the region.
Within the Chinese diaspora, individuals bearing the surname Cheung contribute significantly across a range of societies. In the United Kingdom, students and professionals with this surname can be found within universities and corporate environments, reflecting the overall trend of Chinese migration and the integration of Hong Kong’s diaspora into British life.
Typical given names associated with the Cheung surname
Male
- Chi
- Chun
- David
- Ka
- Kam
- Kwai
- Kwok
- Man
- Michael
- Wai
- William
Female
- Amy
- Kam
- Kim
- Lai
- Lisa
- Mei
- Sau
- Siu
- Wai
- Wan
- Wing
- Ying
- Yuk
Similar and related surnames
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.
How to communicate the surname Cheung in...
Braille
⠉⠓⠑⠥⠝⠛
Morse
-.-........--.--.
Semaphore
There are approximately 8,277 people named Cheung in the UK. That makes it roughly the 1,144th most common surname in Britain. Around 127 in a million people in Britain are named Cheung.
Region of origin: Asia
Country of origin: China
Language of origin: Chinese
Famous people named Cheung
- George Lam Tse Cheung - Hong Kong singer
- Louis Cheung - Hong Kong singer and actor
- Steven Dominique Cheung - Politician
- Steven N. S. Cheung - American economist
- Louis Yuen Siu-cheung - Hong Kong actor
- Oswald Cheung - Hong Kong politician (1922 to 2003)
- Kaizer Lau Ping-cheung - Hong Kong politician
Names and descriptions courtesy of Wikipedia, and may contain errors. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of every famous person with this name.