Posted by Al Chinn (216.58.96.134) on January 18, 2008 at 11:43:38:
In Reply to: origin of my grandparents surnames posted by liah on January 17, 2008 at 07:46:33:
Sison is considered an ethnic Chinese "surname" in the Philippines even though it is not a true one. "Surnames" ending in son/zon are peculiar to the ethnic Chinese in the Philippines where the early settlers came mainly from southern Fujian Province in China and in the Minnan/Hokkien dialect it means grandson.
Here are some examples:
Tuason/Tuazon where Tua=big or first, i.e. First grandson.
Sanson where San=third, i.e. Third grandson.
Sison where Si=fourth, i.e. Fourth grandson.
Lacson where Lac=sixth, i.e. Sixth grandson.
Because these are generic hierarchical family terms and not true surnames, people with these "surnames" are not necessarily related at all. At one time the ancestor started out with a true Chinese surname but later somehow evolved to these terms. As to the reason why is still a mystery to me. This practice does not happen in other SE Asian countries.
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