Meng
A surname of several unrelated origins, most commonly Chinese, but also found in German-speaking and other European traditions.
The #6,001 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 53,892 Americans shares it.
Etymology
Meng is not a single surname with one clear origin. In Chinese usage, it commonly represents several different characters and lineages, including 孟, a very old surname and clan name historically associated with the Spring and Autumn period. In German and some other European contexts, Meng can also arise as a short form or variant of longer names, or from older personal-name elements. Because the same spelling can reflect different languages and histories, the surname’s literal meaning depends on the family line behind it.
History
In the Chinese tradition, 孟 is an ancient surname with deep historical roots and appears in classical records and noble lineages. Outside China, the spelling Meng is comparatively uncommon and may reflect immigration, transliteration, or shortened forms of older surnames in German-speaking areas. In the United States, the name is often encountered in families of Chinese origin, though not exclusively so.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
In Chinese contexts, 孟 is sometimes linked with the idea of being the eldest among siblings, though the surname’s history is broader than that single sense.