Ou (surname)

Ou (區 or 歐) is an English transliteration of the Chinese surname, 區 or 歐 (Pinyin: ōu). It is also transliterated as Au or Ao, based on its Cantonese pronunciation.

Ou is a fairly common surname in Hong Kong. Many Ou's have their ancestral roots in the Longgang, Zhongshan, Shunde, Panyu and Xinhui areas in Guangdong.

Ou (區 or 歐) and Ouyang (歐陽) share a common ancestor, from the ruling family of the State of Yue during the Spring and Autumn Period.

Notable people

• Ou Yezi (歐冶子) - Spring and Autumn Period. Legendary master of sword-making from the State of Yue.
• Ou Xing (區星) - Han Dynasty. Bandit and rebel leader during the reign of Emperor Ling.
• Ou Shizi (區適子 1234 – 1324) - Song Dynasty. Attributed author of the Three Character Classic (三字經).
• Ou Daren (歐大任 1516 – 1596) - Ming Dynasty. One of The Latter Five Poets of the Southern Garden (南園后五子).
• Ou Jiaju (區家駒, stage name 千里駒 1886 - 1936). Cantonese opera performer, renowned as King of Fa Dan (花旦王) and Mei Lanfang of Guangdong (廣東梅蘭芳).
• Au Tak (區德, aka Au Chak-mun 區澤民 1840 - 1920). Hong Kong developer and educator. Kai Tak Airport and Munsang College bear his name.
• Ou Zhen (歐震 1899 - 1969). General in the KMT army, active in the Second Sino-Japanese War.
• Francisco Ou H. L. (歐鴻鍊 1940 - ). Former Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China.
• Tony Au Ting-Ping (區丁平 1954 -). Hong Kong film director and art director.
• Albert Au Shui Keung (區瑞強 1955 - ). Hong Kong DJ and folk singer, popular in the '80s.
• Ao Man Long (歐文龍 1956 - ). First Secretary for Transport and Public Works of Macau, arrested for alleged involvement in taking serious bribe and irregular financial activity. His official duites were removed.
• Au Kam San (區錦新 1957 - ). Member of Legislative Assembly of Macau.
• Michael Au Ding Yuk (歐丁玉). Hong Kong music producer, often in collaboration with Jacky Cheung.
• Stephen Au Kam Tong (歐錦棠 1964 - ). Hong Kong TV actor.
• Ou Chuliang (區楚良 1968 - ). Retired Chinese football goalkeeper, member of China national football team from 1991 - 2002.
• Au Wai Lun (歐偉倫 1971 - ). Retired Hong Kong professional football player, two times Hong Kong Footballer Awards winner.
• Tash Aw Ta-Shii (歐大旭 1971 - ). Malaysian writer living in England, author of critically acclaimed novel The Harmony Silk Factory.
• Au Wing-Kyun (區永權 1973 - ). Hong Kong i-CABLE Entertainment News anchorman.
• Susie Au Suet Yee (區雪兒). Award winning Hong Kong music video director, directed many stylish Faye Wong MTV's.
• Au Kin-Yee (歐健兒). Award winning Hong Kong scriptwriter.
• Jeanette Aw Ee-Ping (歐萱, born 歐燕苹 1979 - ). Singaporean Actress.
• Cindy Au Sin Yee (歐倩怡 1979 - ). Hong Kong TV actress.
• Edward Ou (歐定興, 1980 - ). Taiwanese TV actor.
• Angela Au Man Sze (區文詩 1983 - ). Hong Kong DJ, former member of group Cookies.