Posted by Peter Ip (65.92.21.33) on November 24, 2003 at 06:09:59:
Hi, I have some questions regarding my last name --- Ip. In Cantonese, there is Yip and Ip, and it has been a known fact that Ip is a Hakkan last name. I want to know the significance of Ip, because, looking at other last names like Wong, Chan, Lee, etc., they have the mandarin spelling, and the cantonese spelling. Like for Chan, you would have Chen as mandarin. but for Ip, there is Ip, Yip, and Yeh for mandarin. Why would there be another pronunciation? My ancestors told me that there is another word for Ip in Hakka, and that my matrinal grandfather told me that Ip is kinda related to the royal bloodlines et al. Can someone clarify all that for me please? Thx!