Posted by Lisa C on June 25, 2002 at 11:19:17:
In Reply to: Kwan Family History posted by J.J.Kwan on May 01, 2002 at 12:59:34:
Hello!
Kwan is not that uncommon a name. The other spellings I have seen for this surname is Quon, Quan, Kuon and Guan. I don't know about being from Nam Hoi/Nan hai, but the most of the ones I know are from Toy San/Tai shan. I do know person that is Chiu Zhou/Teochew. In Mr. Kratzer's post he mentioned Chikan, I believe this would be Check Hom and a part of Hoi Ping/Kai Ping. Hoi Ping is the district right next to Toy San.
There is also the singer Kwan Suk Yi. I think her English name is Shirley Kwan. Doesn't sing much any more, but was hot in the early '90's. You might check out www.Asiawind.com. One of the Contributors Chung Yoon-Ngan has done research and written a book on the history of Chinese surnames and can tell you the origin of your surname. He is a Hakka from Malaysia.
Good luck!