Lau

Lau is a surname of Chinese origin, most commonly the Cantonese romanization of the surname 劉. In Mandarin, the same character is rendered Liu. The name is widespread among Cantonese-speaking communities and has a long-standing presence in the Chinese diaspora, including Hong Kong, Macau, Southeast Asia, and Western countries with Chinese populations. The spelling Lau reflects the Cantonese pronunciation rather than the Mandarin pinyin form.

Because of migration and differing romanization practices, the surname Lau appears in English-language contexts alongside other spellings that reflect various dialects and transcription systems. The name is associated with a long history in Chinese communities and has been carried into many countries through migration and trade.

Notable individuals with the surname Lau include Andy Lau (劉德華), a leading Hong Kong actor and singer known for a prolific career in film and music, and Lau Kar-leung (劉家良), a renowned martial arts film director and actor who contributed to the development of Hong Kong action cinema. In addition to entertainment, people named Lau have distinguished themselves in fields such as business, academia, and public service across different regions, reflecting the surname’s broad distribution and cultural presence.