Until 1913, most individuals in Thailand did not possess last names. Those residing in Siam (the previous name for Thailand and the birthplace of the renowned conjoined twins, Chang and Eng Bunker) were known solely by their first names and their place of origin. This all changed in 1913 when King Rama VI, influenced by his European education, mandated that Thai citizens adopt surnames akin to Western practices. However, unlike Western naming conventions, Thai last names can only be shared among direct relatives—a unique aspect of their culture that emerged from this 1913 legislation.
Many Thai surnames are influenced by a blend of Chinese and Arab cultures, resulting in long, compound names rather than the shorter, common surnames like “Smith” or “Jones.” Nonetheless, some abbreviated Thai surnames exist, typically belonging to families that have deep roots in Thailand.
Thailand is a beautifully diverse nation, home to approximately 75 ethnic groups. The Thai ethnic group constitutes about 30% of the population, with the Thai-Lao making up around 32%. Other groups include around 12% Chinese, and about 5% each of Malay-speaking Muslims and Khmer. Additionally, there are communities of Korean and Urdu speakers, alongside urban life and hill tribes in the northern mountains. Despite being influenced by various cultures, Thai customs remain distinct and remarkably beautiful.
Values such as education, family, respect, and patriotism are held in high esteem. Citizens frequently express their love for their country through flags, songs, and cinema. Buddhism plays a significant role in daily life, emphasizing wisdom, kindness, patience, generosity, and compassion. Common practices include refraining from touching another person’s head, avoiding pointing feet at anyone or Buddha images, and removing shoes before entering homes. Interactions between monks and women are generally avoided, and public displays of emotion are often restrained.
Here are 34 Thai surnames, along with their meanings and origins:
- Adulyadej: Meaning “Incomparable power”; Origin: Thai
- Amarin: Meaning “Undying, immortal; right hand of the angel”; Origin: Thai
- Ambhom: Meaning “Sky”; Origin: Thai
- Ananada: Meaning “Prosperous one”; Origin: Thai
- Anchali: Meaning “Greeting”; Origin: Thai, Cambodia
- Anong: Meaning “Gorgeous woman”; Origin: Thai
- Anuman: Meaning “Small patience”; Origin: Thai
- Anurak: Meaning “An angel in Thai mythology”; Origin: Thai
- Aromdee: Meaning “Rare”; Origin: Thai
- Arthit: Meaning “Man of the sun or sun”; Origin: Thai, derived from the Hindu god Aditya
- A-wut: Meaning “Weapon”; Origin: Thai
- Ayutthaya: Meaning “Unconquerable or invincible”; Origin: Thai
- Bannarasee: Meaning “Lotus flower”; Origin: Thai
- Bui: Meaning “Farmer, peasant”; Origin: Chinese
- Chakrii: Meaning “King”; Origin: Thai
- Charoensuk: Meaning “To prosper, to develop, to increase (with) delight”; Origin: Thai
- Chen: Meaning “Great, tremendous; dawn, morning”; Origin: Chinese
- Du: Meaning “Someone from the Shaanxi province in China”; Origin: Chinese
- Kasem: Meaning “Pure happiness”; Origin: Thai
- Makok: Meaning “Someone from Makok, a town in Thailand”; Origin: Thai
- Malee: Meaning “Flower”; Origin: Thai
- Na Chiangmai: Meaning “Descendants of the rulers of Chiang Mai”; Origin: Thai
- Niran: Meaning “Never ending; everlasting”; Origin: Thai
- Noi: Meaning “Bird”; Origin: Thai
- Ngam: Meaning “Beautiful”; Origin: Thai
- Paśú: Meaning “Beast”; Origin: Sanskrit
- Pravat: Meaning “Historic person”; Origin: Thai
- Ratanaporn: Meaning “Crystal blessing”; Origin: Thai
- Rattanakosin: Meaning “Reference to the royal family of the Chakri Dynasty”; Origin: Thai
- Ritthirong: Meaning “Good at fighting”; Origin: Thai
- Rochana: Meaning “Good with words”; Origin: Thai
- Rueng: Meaning “Glory”; Origin: Thai
- Saelau: Meaning “Liu”; Origin: Thai-Chinese
- Saengkaew: Meaning “Crystal light”; Origin: Thai
- Shinawatra: Meaning “Someone who does good routinely”; Origin: Thai
- Soikham: Meaning “Necklace with gold”; Origin: Thai
- Somsri: Meaning “Suitable, honorable”; Origin: Thai
- Suwannarat: Meaning “Jewel; gem”; Origin: Thai
- Suwan: Meaning “Gold”; Origin: Thai
- Sakdan: Meaning “Powerful person”; Origin: Thai
- Sanouk: Meaning “Named after an enjoyable festival of the same name”; Origin: Thai
- Siriporn: Meaning “Gloriously blessed person”; Origin: Thai
- Tham-Boon: Meaning “Merit making”; Origin: Thai
- Thong Di: Meaning “Good gold”; Origin: Thai
- Trubbaya: Meaning “Treasure”; Origin: Thai
- Wong: Meaning “Family”; Origin: Thai-Chinese
- Saetang: Meaning “Chief; educated”; Origin: Thai
- Saelim: Meaning “Intelligent, strong”; Origin: Thai
This article was originally published on November 2, 2020. For more insightful content, check out our other blog post here, which delves into related topics.
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Summary:
This article explores the evolution of Thai last names, highlighting their unique origins and meanings. It illustrates how the Thai naming system is influenced by various cultures and emphasizes the importance of familial ties in sharing surnames.
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