Posted by Al Chinn on February 07, 2001 at 22:16:46:
In Reply to: Searching for the origin of Surname TINKEW posted by Marlene Bronte- Tinkew on February 07, 2001 at 09:39:45:
TINKEW is probably your ancestor's personal name and not his surname. Without the Chinese characters it is difficult to figure out what it means. One guess, assuming it is in Cantonese; TIN could mean "sky/celestial" and Kew may be "bridge". In combination his name may have been "celestial bridge". Sorry,Tinkew does not sound that English. To find his real surname you need to know his full name in Chinese characters. Have you looked at his tombstone?
: I know my surname TINKEW is not in original Chinese. But it was changed from a Chinese name to make it sound more English.
: Can anyone help me to figure out what the original Chinese sounding name might be? Maybe TEN????something? My grandfather came from China but I don't even know where!
: I know it's a long shot but I am dying to find out my family's REAL Chinese Surname or even to find out what it might have been.
: Please send me an email if you have any suggestions as to how I can find my heritage name?
: THANKS!!!!!