Surname Loh - Meaning and Origin
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Loh: What does the surname Loh mean?
The last name Loh is of Chinese origin. It is an occupational surname originally derived from an occupation or profession such as a doctor or a fisherman. The Chinese character for loh is “吕”.
The “吕” character was commonly used in ancient times to denote individuals engaged in medical and healing practices. This is why it is associated with the surname “Loh”. The character is also associated with war strategies in ancient warfare and is believed to represent a skillful military advisor.
Therefore, the meaning of the last name Loh can be interpreted to represent a person who is both a physician and a wise leader. This interpretation conveys the traditional values of the Chinese people which include perseverance and skillful leadership traits.
The surname “Loh” can be found in many different variations including Lau, Lai, Lo and Liu among others. It is also one of the most common Chinese surnames and can be found all over the world.
Although the surname “Loh” originally represented an occupation or profession, it has evolved to also represent physical and psychological characteristics that are attributed to a person’s identity. In modern times, the surname “Loh” continues to represent times of great leadership and enduring strength which is a source of pride among its populations.
Order DNA origin analysisLoh: Where does the name Loh come from?
The last name Loh is most commonly found in Southeast Asia, especially in Singapore and Malaysia. It is also found in China, particularly in the Guangdong Province, and other countries in the region such as Indonesia and Thailand. The Loh surname is believed to have originated from the Chinese character lu, meaning "road," which suggests that the family members may have been landowners or officials in ancient times.
In Singapore, Loh is quite a popular surname and is estimated to be shared by more than 4000 people. There is even a Loh clan with an ancestral temple dedicated to the first ancestor of the clan.
In Malaysia, Loh is the 12th most common surname, with an estimated 41,000 people sharing the name. It is most heavily concentrated in the northern peninsular states, particularly in Perak.
In Indonesia, it is not obvious how many Lohers are living there, but most members of the Loh clan originally originated in Chinese communities in the country.
Loh is also a popular surname in the United States, probably due to the influx of Chinese immigrants in the 19th and 20th centuries. Approximately, 14000 people in the United States bear the last name Loh.
In summary, the last name Loh is most commonly found in Singapore, Malaysia, China, Indonesia and the United States.
Variations of the surname Loh
The surname Loh in its various spellings is an occupational name for a keeper of a barn, most likely in an Asian context derived from the Chinese word for barn 'lo'. Variations of this surname in various languages are Lo, Lau, Lao, Law and Lauw.
The spelling of the surname Loh can be found in the Chinese languages of Mandarin and Cantonese as well as other languages in East and Southeast Asia. In Mandarin, the surname is written as Lu, Lau or Lao while in Cantonese, it is written as Lo. In Min, another Chinese language, the surname is written as Lòu.
In the Philippines, the surname is spelled Lao or Lau while in Vietnam, it is written as Lạo. Similarly, in Malaysia and Indonesia, the surname is written as Lao or Lauw. In Thailand, the surname is written as Lǎo.
Alternative spellings and surnames of the same origin stemming from the surname Loh can also be found in the English and Dutch languages, with examples such as Lohman and Lowman in English and Lohman and Louman in Dutch.
The diverse spectrum of spellings and surnames for Loh not only demonstrate the influence of Chinese on East and Southeast Asian languages but it also reveals the considerable spread of Chinese culture across the region.
Famous people with the name Loh
- Amy S. Loh: a Chinese-American artist and cultural theorist.
- Max Loh: a Coca–Cola bottling company executive.
- Michael Loh: a professional basketball player in Indonesia.
- Meesapulimala Vinu Loh: an Indian Actor.
- Yu Hsiang Loh: a Taiwanese concept artist and illustrator.
- Axelle Loh: an American lacrosse player.
- Jeff Loh: a Singapore–based writer, director and producer.
- Susan Loh: an American theme park and recreation designer.
- Becker Loh: a Malaysian engineer and entrepreneur.
- David Loh: a Hong Kong–based producer, director and entrepreneur.
- HMS Tigre (L1476): a Royal Navy submarine-hunter.
- Jennifer Loh: a Multimedia Arts student from Portland State University.
- Steven C. Loh: an American Exercise Physiologist and Professor.
- K K Loh: a Chinese–American BASF executive.
- Laura Loh: a Malaysian architecht.
- Roland Loh: an Electromechanical Engineer.
- Kaukab Loh: an American attorney.
- M Loh: a consultant at The Geneva Foundation.
- Stephen Loh: a US Air Force Officer.
- David Loh: an Anatomical Pathologist.