Auyeung

Auyeung is an English-language surname representing the Cantonese pronunciation of the Chinese surname 歐陽, a traditional two-character family name. In Mandarin pinyin, the corresponding surname is Ouyang (or Ou-yang). Other transliterations include Au-yeung and various variants that reflect different historical and regional spelling practices.

Origin and history: 歐陽 (Ouyang) is one of the well-known compound surnames in China and is listed in classic texts such as the Hundred Family Surnames. It originated as a double surname associated with ancient noble lineages and spread across regions through migration and intermarriage. Because it comprises two distinct characters, many lineages bearing the surname do not share a single genealogical ancestor, even though they share the same surname form in modern usage.

Geographic distribution and usage: The spelling Auyeung is particularly common among Cantonese-speaking communities, including those in Hong Kong, Macau, and Guangdong, as well as in the Cantonese diaspora in Malaysia and Singapore. In other Chinese-speaking regions and in Western countries, the Mandarin-derived spellings Ouyang or Ou-yang are more frequently encountered, though personal family history often influences the chosen romanization.

Notable people: The surname is borne by many individuals across fields such as arts, scholarship, business, and public life, reflecting its long-standing presence in Chinese communities worldwide.

See also: Ouyang (surname); Cantonese romanization; Chinese compound surnames.