Posted by Anonymous on July 17, 1998 at 04:39:25:
In Reply to: Lat, Onglatco, Liat Surname posted by Vincent L. Tabora on December 24, 1997 at 01:53:55:
: Are the following surnames Chinese in origin?
: Lat, Onglatco, Liat.
: In the Philippines, Filipino-Chinese have adopted Hispanized surnames like Sychiangco or Tantuco. The addition of the "co" at the end of the surname was akin to Spanish surnames like Velazco and Orozco.
: I was curious because there is alot of controversy regarding the origin of thos surnames.
The "co" suffix is the Chinese word for "elder." It does NOT denote any Hispanization whatsoever. The first syllable of the surnames you've mention denote their original Chinese surname. The second syllable denote the given name of their Chinese patriarch who "made it big" in the Phil.
Also, I do know of a school mate bearing the surname Onglatco. He claims to be part Chinese.