LAU
Lau is a surname that exhibits a remarkable dual heritage, appearing both in Chinese and in Germanic contexts. The convergence of these distinct lineages offers a rich tapestry of meanings and cultural associations that have evolved over centuries.
Within the Chinese linguistic tradition, Lau is represented by various characters that share phonetic similarities but carry different semantic nuances. One common interpretation is that the name denotes “flow” or “to flow,” a metaphor for the movement of water and the dynamic interchange of energy. Other readings translate the character to “old” or “venerable,” invoking connotations of accumulated wisdom and reverence for seniority. Yet another possibility is that Lau is a variant of the surname Liu, whose character is read as “willow”; a tree that embodies flexibility and resilience, further enriching the name’s symbolic repertoire.
The multilingual evidence for the Chinese root of Lau lies in the cultural practice of adopting surnames that reflect personal attributes, natural elements, or ancestral qualities. Consequently, bearers of the name in East Asia often regard it as a reminder of fluidity in thought and action, of the capacity to adapt, and of the respect afforded to elders who guide the community with experience and insight.
In a different and historically separate context, Lau appears among Germanic name collections dating from the pre‑7th‑century era. Recorded spellings such as Low, Lowe, Leub, Leu, and the patronymics Lowensohn and Lovenson illustrate a rich variety of orthographic forms. Etymologically, these variants derive from the root lowe, meaning “lion.” Scholars interpret this as either a nickname honouring the bearers’ bravery, a descriptor for those associated with a heraldic lion on their emblem, or a residential identifier for a dwelling marked by a lion emblazoned on its sign or shield. The name also evolved into ornamental surnames like Lowenberg (lion hill), Lowenstein (lion stone), and Lowenthal (lion valley), often adopted by refugees seeking protection in 18th‑century Germany.
Across both Chinese and Germanic traditions, the surname Lau encapsulates a spectrum of symbolic meanings. In Chinese contexts it promotes notions of fluidity, wisdom, and adaptability; in Germanic settings it conveys strength, heraldic significance, and a sense of community identity associated with the lion motif.
Given its presence in disparate linguistic and cultural frames, the surname Lau continues to be studied by genealogists and historians interested in diasporic movements, transnational identities, and the ways in which surnames carry and transform meaning across time and space.
Typical given names associated with the Lau surname
Male
- Chi
- Chun
- David
- Ka
- Kwok
- Man
- Raymond
- Simon
- Wai
- William
Female
- Jennifer
- Jenny
- Kam
- Kim
- Kit
- Lai
- Mei
- Pui
- Sau
- Siu
- Sun
- Susan
- Wendy
- Wing
- 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 Lau in...
Braille
⠇⠁⠥
Morse
.-...-..-
Semaphore
There are approximately 5,737 people named Lau in the UK. That makes it roughly the 1,651st most common surname in Britain. Around 88 in a million people in Britain are named Lau.
Region of origin: Asia
Country of origin: China
Language of origin: Chinese
Famous people named Lau
- Henry Lau - Chinese Canadian singer, rapper and actor
- Eric Lau - Music producer and DJ
- Kurtis Lau - Hong Kong League of Legends coach
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.