Family name origins & meanings
- Chinese :
this name probably arose during the Zhou
dynasty (1122–221 bc) in the area of Gansu province; the
details are unclear. It was borne by a person named Niu Wen, who was a
descendant of the eldest brother of the last king of the Shang
dynasty, Zhou Xin (1154–1123bc). - Chinese :
a second character pronounced Niu came into use as
a surname during the Eastern Jin dynasty (317–420 ad) in
Jiangsu province south of the Yangtze river. - Tongan : unexplained.