100 Interesting Thai Surnames You Need To Know

Thai surnames

Did you know that most Thai people didn’t have surnames until 1913?  In Thai culture, before 1913, people were just called by their first names and the place they lived in. But this changed with a law in 1913, when King Rama VI declared that the Thai people needed surnames like Western people. A minor difference is that Thai surnames can only be shared by people who are family and directly related to each other. This amazing array of names stems from that same 1913 law. This law also hinders different families take the same surnames in Thailand.

If you see a Thai surname name with two syllables or less, it probably belongs to someone whose family was native in Thailand around the 20th century. When it comes to the longer surnames, they are more likely to belong to immigrants to honor both countries and to differentiate themselves from others in their family line who stayed in their hometown. For this reason, some Thai surnames can’t be translated into English.

Let’s have a look at popular Thai surnames and their meanings.

Thai surnames common writing

What Are Common Thai Last Names?

Did you know that many Thai surnames represent grand characteristics or are similarly related to power? But you’ll see various Thai surnames that have wonderful meanings. However, Thailand has a decree that doesn’t allow duplication of surnames. So you’ll only get the same last name if you are related to that family. However, we’re here to discover more last names right? Whether you’re just curious about Thai surnames or you’re planning to learn more about the Thai people, it would make sense to choose from a common Thai surnames list. Here are some of the common Thai surnames to check out:

  1. Anuman – อนุมาน (Thai Origin) meaning “small patience”
  2. Anurak – อนุรักษ์ (Thai Origin) meaning “an angel” in Thai mythology
  3. Asnee – อัสนี (Thai Origin) meaning “lightning”
  4. Na Ayutthaya – ณ อยุธยา (Thai Origin) meaning “unconquerable or invincible” and stemming from a royal
  5. Anchali – อัญชลี (Thai Origin) meaning “greeting”
  6. Amarin – อมรินทร์ (Thai Origin) meaning “undying”
  7. Apinya – อภิญญา (Thai Origin) meaning “magical power”
  8. Amphom – อัมพร (Thai Origin) meaning “sky”
  9. Aree – อารี (Thai Origin) meaning “hospitable”
  10. Buathong – บัวทอง (Thai Origin) meaning “gold lotus”
  11. Boonmee – บุญมี (Thai Origin) meaning “merit have”
  12. Boonrueng – บุญเรือง (Thai Origin) meaning “virtue (with) glory”
  13. Boonya – บุญญา (Thai Origin) meaning “virtue”
  14. Boon-Nam – บุญนำ (Thai Origin) meaning “born to good fortune”
  15. Bun Ma – บุญมา (Thai Origin) meaning “to have luck”
  16. Busarakham – บุษราคัม (Thai Origin) meaning “topaz”
  17. Chaem Choi – แช้มช้อย (Thai Origin) meaning “gracefulness”
  18. Chaidee – ชัยดี (Thai Origin) meaning “kind”
  19. Chai Charoen – ชัยเจริญ (Thai Origin) meaning “triumphant”
  20. Chaiya – ไชยา (Thai Origin) meaning “victory”
  21. Channarong – ชาญณรงค์ (Thai Origin) meaning “experienced soldier; experienced warrior”
  22. Chakrii – จักรี (Thai Origin) meaning “king”
  23. Chinda – จินดา (Thai Origin) meaning “precious stone”
  24. Charoensuk – ชาเรือนศักดิ์ (Thai Origin) meaning “to prosper, to develop, to increase (with) delight”
  25. Chokdee – โชคดี (Thai Origin) meaning “lucky”
  26. Chongrak – จงรัก (Thai Origin) meaning “loyal”
  27. Duangkamol – ดวงกมล (Thai Origin) meaning “from the heart”
  28. Kasem – เกษม (Thai Origin) meaning “pure happiness”
  29. Kob Sook – กอบสุข (Thai Origin) meaning “heart full of happiness”
  30. Kraisee – ไกรศรี (Thai Origin) meaning “lion; brave”
  31. Malai – มาลัย (Thai Origin) meaning “garland”
  32. Malee – มาลี (Thai Origin) meaning “flower”
  33. Meeboon – มีบุญ (Thai Origin) meaning “have merit”
  34. Mongkhon – มงคล (Thai Origin) meaning “auspicious”
  35. Na Chiangmai – ณ เชียงใหม่ (Thai Origin) meaning “descendants of the rulers of Chiang Mai”
  36. Narong – ณรงค์ (Thai Origin) meaning “ready for war”
  37. Niran – นิรันดร์ (Thai Origin) meaning “never-ending; everlasting”
  38. Noknoi – นกน้อย (Thai Origin) meaning “little bird”
  39. Panya – ปัญญา (Thai Origin) meaning “intellect”
  40. Phasuk – ผาสุก (Thai Origin) meaning “joyfully”
  41. Ratanaporn – รัตนพร (Thai Origin) meaning “crystal blessing”
  42. Ritthirong – ฤทธิรงค์ (Thai Origin) meaning “good at fighting”
  43. Rochana – โรจนะ (Thai Origin) meaning “good with words”
  44. Saelau – แซ่เล่า (Chinese Origin) meaning “Liu” in Chinese
  45. Saengkaew – แสงแก้ว (Thai Origin) meaning “crystal light”
  46. Shinwara – ชินวรา (Thai Origin) meaning “does good routinely”
  47. Soikham – สร้อยคำ (Thai Origin) meaning “necklace” (with) “gold”
  48. Somsri – สมศรี (Thai Origin) meaning “suitable” (with) “honor”
  49. Suwannarat – สุวรรณรัตน์ (Thai Origin) meaning “gold” (with) “jewel; gem”
  50. Suwan – สุวรรณ (Thai Origin) meaning “gold”
  51. Sakda – ศักดิ์ดา (Thai Origin) meaning “powerful person”
  52. Sangthong – แสงทอง (Thai Origin) meaning “light of gold”
  53. Siriporn – ศิริพร (Thai Origin) meaning “gloriously blessed person”
  54. Thong Di – ทองดี (Thai Origin) meaning “good gold”
  55. Wanchai – วันชัย (Thai Origin) meaning “victory day”
Thai surnames Chinese origin

Common Thai Surnames of Celebrities

  1. Kaew Buasai – แก้วบัวสาย‎ (Thai Origin) meaning “glass lotus stem”
  2. Jongsut Thanamnai – จงสุทธนามณี‎ (Thai Origin) meaning “name of purity”
  3. Jeung Rung Rueang Kit –  จึงรุ่งเรืองกิจ‎ (Thai Origin) meaning “therefore, the work is successful”
  4. Panyarachun – ปันยารชุน‎ (Thai Origin) meaning “reputation and integrity”
  5. Milinthonjinda – มิลินทจินดา‎ (Thai Origin) meaning “a good friend”
  6. Wongwaran – วงศ์วรรณ‎ (Thai Origin) meaning “golden generation”
  7. Nunphakdi – หนุนภักดี‎ (Thai Origin) meaning “support and encouragement”
  8. Hettarakun – เหตระกูล (Thai Origin) meaning “good family background”
  9. Ungphakan – อึ๊งภากรณ์ (Thai Origin) meaning “beautiful”
  10. Siriwetchachapan –  สิริเวชชะพันธ์‎ (Thai Origin) meaning “charm of medicine”
  11. Suwannarat –  สุวรรณรัฐ‎ (Thai Origin) meaning “golden state”
  12. Sopon Panit – โสภณพนิช (Thai Origin) meaning “a person who increases wealth”

Common Thai Surnames Given by the Monarch

  1. Na Kalasin – ณ กาฬสินธุ์‎ (Thai Origin) meaning “at Kalasin”
  2. Na Champa Sak – ณ จำปาศักดิ์‎ (Thai Origin) meaning “at Champa Sak”
  3. Na Chiang Tung –  ณ เชียงตุง (Thai Origin) meaning “at Chiang Tung”
  4. Na Chiang Mai – ณ เชียงใหม่‎ (Thai Origin) meaning “at Chiang Mai”
  5. Na Thalang – ณ ถลาง‎ (Thai Origin) meaning “at Thalang”
  6. Na Nakhon – ณ นคร (Thai Origin) meaning “at Nakhon”
  7. Na Nan – ณ น่าน‎ (Thai Origin) meaning “at Nan”
  8. Na Bang Chang – ณ บางช้าง‎ (Thai Origin) meaning “at Bang Chang”
  9. Na Pom Phet – ณ ป้อมเพชร์‎ (Thai Origin) meaning “at Pom Phet”
  10. Na Phatthalung – ณ พัทลุง‎ (Thai Origin) meaning “at Phatthalung”
  11. Na Roi Et – ณ ร้อยเอ็จ (Thai Origin) meaning “at Roi Et”
  12. Na Ratchasima – ณ ราชสีมา‎ (Thai Origin) meaning “at Ratchasima”
  13. Na Ranong – ณ ระนอง (Thai Origin) meaning “at Ranong”
  14. Samantrak – สมันตรัฐ‎ (Thai Origin) meaning “province”
  15. Sala-Nont – เสลานนท์‎ (Thai Origin) meaning “good-natured”
  16. Sawasdi-Chuto – สวัสดิ์-ชูโต‎ (Thai Origin) meaning “greetings”
  17. Sing Lok – สิงหลกะ (Thai Origin) meaning “lion’s child”
  18. Singha Senee –  สิงหเสนี‎ (Thai Origin) meaning “lion’s chariot”
  19. Sukhum – สุขุม‎ (Thai Origin) meaning “happy”
  20. Sujaritkul – สุจริตกุล‎ (Thai Origin) meaning “good behaviour”
  21. Suntara Kun –  สุนทรกุล‎ (Thai Origin) meaning “gold light”
  22. Saeng-Chuto –  แสง-ชูโต (Thai Origin) meaning “radiant”

Common Thai Surnames With Chinese Origin

Thai names often have Chinese origins, leading to longer compound surnames. Despite this, there are shorter Thai surnames, especially among families with a long history in Thailand. During King Rama VI’s reign, ethnic Chinese migrants, who moved from Burma to Thailand, had to adopt Thai last names, contributing to a diverse list of Thai surnames.

  1. Charoen – เจริญ (Thai-Chinese Origin) meaning “advance”
  2. Kitti – กิตติ (Thai-Chinese Origin) meaning “undertaking”
  3. Kul – กูล (Thai-Chinese Origin) meaning “family”
  4. Lee – หลี (Chinese Origin) meaning “joy”
  5. Lert – เลิศ (Thai-Chinese Origin) meaning “brilliance”
  6. Panit – พาณิชย์ (Thai-Chinese Origin) meaning “commerce”
  7. Patana – พัฒนา (Thai-Chinese Origin) meaning “develop”
  8. Pitak – พิทักษ์ (Thai-Chinese Origin) meaning “protect”
  9. Pong – พงค์ (Thai-Chinese Origin) meaning “family”
  10. Saeli – แซ่ลี้ (Thai-Chinese Origin) meaning “Li” in Chinese
  11. Saelao – แซ่เล่า (Thai-Chinese Origin) meaning “Liu” in Hakka and Chinese
  12. Saelim – แซ่ลิ้ม (Thai-Chinese Origin) meaning “Lin” in Hokkien and Chinese
  13. Srisuwan – ศรีสุวรรณ (Thai Origin) meaning “splendor” (with) “golden”
  14. Tancharoen – ตันเจริญ (Thai-Chinese Origin) meaning “advance”
  15. Wong – วงศ์ (Thai-Chinese Origin) meaning “family”

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Updated by: Gwyn

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2 Responses

  1. Does อนันต์ really writes like Anant or Anan? I’m named “Anant” but my parents told me that it was supposed to be “Anan”. I’m Thai descent

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