The surname Ma is one of the more common surnames in China. It ranks 52nd in the "Hundred Surnames" and is currently ranked 14th among Chinese surnames.
Notable people with the surname Ma
Some famous historical figures with the surname Ma
Ma Gong, an official during the Han Dynasty, was known as Youqing. He was from Qizhou, Donghai. He studied the "Spring and Autumn Annals" of Yan, and became a scholar-official by passing the examination for government positions. Later he served as the chief historian of Chu, but was dismissed. After that, he became the assistant to the Chancellor and the head of the Judicial Office.
Ma Wu (c. 1–61 AD), also known as Zi Zhang, was from Huyang, Nanyang (now Huyang Town, Tanghe County, Henan). He was a prominent minister in the Eastern Han Dynasty and one of the "Twenty-Eight Generals of the YunTai." As a youth, Ma Wu fled to avoid his enemies and lived in Jiangxia. Later, he joined the Green Forest Army and became a general of the Xinshi Army. Eventually, he joined Liu Xiu and fought alongside him to pacify the country. After the founding of the Eastern Han, he was appointed as the General of Capturing Enemies and enfeoffed as the Marquis of Yangxu.
Ma Yuan (14 BC–49 AD), also known as Wenyuan, was one of the key contributors to the founding of the Eastern Han Dynasty. He was a Han Chinese from Maoling, Fufeng. Due to his military achievements, he was promoted to the rank of General of the Vast Waves and enfeoffed as the Marquis of Xinxī.
Ma Rong (79–166 AD), also known as Jichang, was from Maoling, Youfeng (now in the northeast of Xingping City, Shaanxi). He was a descendant of the famous Eastern Han general Ma Yuan and a renowned Confucian scholar and expert in classical Confucian texts, especially in ancient textual studies.
Ma Chao (176–222 AD), also known as Mengqi, was from Maoling, Fufeng (now in Xingping City, Shaanxi). He was one of the warlords at the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty and a descendant of the Han general Ma Yuan. Initially, he served as a general under his father Ma Teng. He participated in battles such as breaking the Su clan's fortress, fighting against Han Su, and defeating Guo Yuan.
Ma Jun, also known as Deheng, was from Fufeng (now in Xingping City, Shaanxi). He was one of the most famous mechanical inventors in the history of ancient Chinese science and technology.
Ma Zhou (601–648 February 7), a high-ranking official in the early Tang Dynasty. His courtesy name was Binwang. He was from Ciping, Bozhou (now Ma Village, Ciping Town, Ciping County, Shandong Province). As a young man, he was orphaned and poor, but he diligently studied and was well-versed in the "Book of Poetry," "Book of Documents," and "Spring and Autumn Annals." Later, he went to Chang'an and became a guest in the household of the mid-level general Chang He. In 631 AD, he wrote a memorial on behalf of Chang He, which included more than twenty issues, and gained the deep appreciation of Emperor Taizong. He was then appointed as a监察御史 (Censor) and later rose to the position of Zhongshu Ling (Chancellor).
Ma Sui (726–795 AD), a famous general of the Tang Dynasty. His courtesy name was Xunmei. He was from Jia Cheng, Ruzhou (now Jiaxian County, Henan). He studied military strategies and was brave and wise. During the An Lushan Rebellion, he went to persuade the rebel general Jia Xun in Fenyang (southwest of Beijing) to switch sides, but failed and escaped.
Ma Yin (852–930 AD), also known as Baditu, was a Han Chinese. Originally from Yanling, Xuzhou (now Yanling County, Henan). He was the first ruler of the Southern Chu state during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period.
Ma Zuchang (1279–1338 AD), a famous poet of the Yuan Dynasty belonging to the Yungu ethnic group. His courtesy name was Boyong, and he was from Guangzhou (now Huangchuan County, Henan). In the second year of Yanyou, he ranked first in the metropolitan examination and second in the imperial examination, and was appointed as a scholar in the Hanlin Academy. During the reign of Emperor Renzong, when Tie Mutedie'er was the chancellor and monopolized power, Ma Zuchang led his colleagues to impeach him for ten crimes, thus suffering repeated demotions.
Anti-Japanese hero Ma Zhanshan (November 30, 1885 – November 29, 1950), also known as Xiufang, was a Lieutenant General with the rank of General. He was originally from Fengrun County, Hebei Province.
Ma Sicong was a pioneer Chinese violin composer and performer, and holds an important place in modern Chinese music history.
Male celebrities with the surname Ma:
Ma Guoming, Ma Junwei, Ma Yingran, Ma Yun, Ma Dezhong, Ma Nianxian, Ma Dehua, Ma Sanli, Ma Ji, Ma Tianyu, Ma Zugong, Ma Huaheng, Ma Qixun, Ma Minyu, etc.
Female celebrities with the surname Ma:
Ma Su, Ma Min'er, Ma Li, Ma Sai, Ma Liwen, Ma Hailein, Ma Tulu, Ma Yashu, Ma Yili, Ma Yu, Ma Ling, Ma Xiaaqian, Ma Xiaomeng, Ma Yajun, Ma Jingyi, etc.
