Most thai surnames are impressably long and intricate. Does anyone know some meanings of surnames?

You have to look at each one. The origin is also different and interesting.

Surname is officially introduced in the reign of King Rama 6 (1910-1925). Before that we had to declare "son/daughter of..." after the name when proper ID was needed. Some people may used their Chinese clan name.

So when the surname was to be officially registered. it came from:

1. Given by the King, to bureaucrat mostly. He made it up or use the receipient ิี"Bureaucrat name" (in the traditional Thai system). The Royal Parmission Document was granted in this case.

2. Selected by head of the family, sometimes modify from the "Bureaucrat name"

3. Other mean, some people asked the monk to suggest good names, some selected ancester names.

Many of the very long one are of Chinese families who modified Chinese name and add many good words. There ususlly have Chinese clan name in front such as ลิ้ม /ตั้ง /ตัน Lim / Tung/ Tan etc.

Some surnames of the old noble families are also long. If you have lot of experience in TL you may recognise the different between these and the Chinese origin ones.

Edited August 11, 200916 yr by oldsparrow