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Wang

Wang (王 in pinyin: Wang2; in penkyamp & Jyutping[?]: Wong4) is the commonest Chinese family name and literally means "king". The "-ang" sound is supposed to be pronounced as in German and so the name is frequently mispronounced by English speakers. The name is also frequently transliterated "Wong" especially for people from Hong Kong or from Guangdong. This other transliteration sounds much more similar to the Chinese pronounciation[?].

Wang is also a used as the Chinese and Korean (in Han-geul: 왕) translation for foreign monarches. It was also the title of a hereditary position during the Chou dynasty and again in the Early Han Dynasty and then in Qing Dynasty. During the Han Dynasty, the Emperor of China gradually replaced the hereditary kingdoms by county governments with officials selected by the Imperial court. During the Qing Dynasty, Wang is simply a title of a Manchu noble, except three Han Chinese (see Revolt of the three feudatories[?]).

Wang was used in Goguryeo from 37 BC to 668, in Silla[?] from 500 to 935, in Baekje[?] from 18 BC to 660, and in Goryeo from 1274 - 1392. In early Goryeo (918 - 1274) and the entire Joseon Dynasty[?] (1392-1910), the rulers of Korea were still known as "kings", as evident in the title title of King Sejong the Great, 世宗大王. However, they were referred to by their temple names.