Posted by Mela Tan on September 15, 1999 at 01:29:31:
In Reply to: Re: What is the meaning of the surname TAN? posted by Tanyichin on June 30, 1999 at 01:52:55:
: : What is the meaning, origin, and significance of the surname TAN?
If the "Tan" you're referring to is Hokkien, then
it's the same as the Mandarin "Chen" and Chan
in Cantonese.
It is the second most commone Chinese surname.
Check out: zhongwen.com
Under the "Vocabulary" section click on
"Chinese Surnames"
In the left hand frame, click on the second
character from the left, that's Tan (Chen, Chan)
and in the right hand frame you'll see where
the name came from.
Hope that helps a little.