Appendix:Hmong surnames
The Laotian Hmong are divided into 18 principal Hmong clans (xeem). Surnames may vary according to dialect or country of origin. The Chinese state assigned Chinese phonetic approximations of Hmong surnames for administrative purposes, such as taxation and civil registration, during the late imperial and Republican periods.
List of surnames
[edit]| Hmong clan name | Common English spellings | Chinese approximations | Associated totem (tsiaj) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Faj, Faaj | Fang, Fau, Fa | 黃／黄 (huáng) | |
| Ham, Haam | Hang, Ha, Tang | 項／项 (xiàng) | Heev Ncawstaw, Zaaj |
| Hawj | Her, Herr, Heu | 侯 (hóu) | Liab (Monkey) |
| Kha, Khab, Khaab | Khang, Kang, Keng | 康 (kāng) | |
| Koo, Xoom | Kong/Soung, Ko | 龔／龚 (gōng), 宋 (sòng) | |
| Kwm | Kue, Ku, Kou | 古 (gǔ) | Khawsca (Funeral Drum), Nruastuag, Hmoob Kwv |
| Lis | Le, Lee, Li, Ly, LyFoung, LyNhiavu LyPayia, LyJalao, LyBlymay | 李 (lǐ) | Plum |
| Lauj | Lor, Lao, Lo, Lau | 羅／罗 (luó) | Nruasneeb (Shaman Drum) Tsov |
| Muas | Moua, Mua, Zag | 馬／马 (mǎ) | Horse, pig pen |
| Phab, Phaab | Phang, Pha, Fa | 潘 (pān) | Hlub (Love) |
| Thoj | Thao, Thor, Tao, Toa | 陶 (táo) | Tropical Bird, |
| Tsab, Tsaab | Cha, Chang | 張／张 (zhāng) | cha di, Heevnrig Ntaus |
| Tswb | Chue, Chu, Chou, Cho, Zhu | 楚 (chǔ), 儲／储 (chǔ), 储, 褚 (chǔ), 觸／触 (chù), 触 (hóng), 朱 (zhū) | Npua (Pig), Bell |
| Tsheej | Cheng | 陳／陈 (chén) | |
| Vaj, Vaaj | Va, Vang, Vaughn, Vong, Wang, | 王 (wáng) | King, Qaum Vag, garden |
| Vwj | Vue, Vu, Vou | 吳／吴 (wú) | Hma (Fox), fwj (Bottle) |
| Xyooj | Xiong, Song, Xong | 熊 (xióng) | Dais (Bear), Xyoob (bamboo) Xyoo (year) |
| Yaj, Yaaj | Yang, Young, Ya | 楊／杨 (yáng) | tus yaj (Ram) Also has bear |