Looking for Thai last names and their meanings? You’re about to study 150 special family names from Thailand.
What makes these names truly different is that Thai law requires each family to have its own unique last name—no two families can share the same one!
These names blend different influences from Thai, Chinese, Sanskrit, and Arabic origins.
Some tell stories of family trades, while others point to places or meaningful words.
It’s a piece of family history passed down through generations.
Commonly Used Thai Last Names
Surnames Derived from Occupations
- Vatcharapol – Strong or noble (often associated with leadership or high-ranking occupations).
- Sithichai – Triumphant or victorious (can relate to a warrior or someone achieving success in a noble pursuit).
- Ratchaporn – Royal or blessed (often used for those in the service of royalty or higher positions).
- Kittiwat – Wisdom and power (can reflect a scholar or someone in an intellectual profession).
- Vichitr – Wisdom or knowledge (related to scholars or intellectuals).
- Sittikan – Success or victory (can relate to professionals who achieve success).
- Jirathip – Prosperous or successful (could be a surname for those in business or leadership roles).
- Pirat – Protector (often associated with someone in law enforcement or a security-related occupation).
- Sakthee – Power or might (related to people with military or authoritative occupations).
- Patarath – Leader or guide (often used by those in leadership roles).
- Sukitran – Blessed or fortunate (could relate to a role of spiritual or professional success).
- Kittichai – Strength and honor (reflects an occupation that requires wisdom and power).
- Sittisak – Strength and resilience (related to a profession demanding endurance).
- Phakphak – Calm or serene (a peaceful profession, possibly in spiritual or meditative fields).
- Vijit – Bright or shining (could be a scholar or intellectual occupation).
- Sukhit – Blessed or fortunate (could reflect a career of success or grace).
- Kittisiri – Virtue or excellence (often associated with an honorable or prestigious profession).
- Phitak – Brave or courageous (related to roles in protection or service).
- Chittaphat – Knowledge or wisdom (linked to intellectual or scholarly professions).
- Tachara – Great or renowned (suggests a well-known or celebrated occupation).
Surnames Inspired by Nature
- Boonkaew – Good fortune or treasure (inspired by the abundance of nature).
- Phetchaya – Diamond or precious stone (inspired by natural elements like minerals).
- Samut – Ocean or vastness (nature-inspired, evoking the sea).
- Kachap – Light or brightness (related to natural elements like the sun or light).
- Sangwan – Happiness or joy (often seen in the beauty of nature).
- Chirayu – Eternal or immortal (symbolizing nature’s timeless qualities).
- Kamol – Precious or priceless (often seen in rare elements from nature).
- Sungkwang – Radiant or brilliant (related to nature’s beauty, such as the sun).
- Achara – Beauty or elegance (a nature-inspired surname reflecting elegance like a flower).
- Khom – Strong or powerful (can evoke natural strength, such as the force of nature).
- Vittaya – Learning or wisdom (connected to the flow of knowledge in nature).
- Sathit – Strength or powerful (can refer to the power of nature, like mountains or rivers).
- Rattanaruk – Precious love or treasured (inspired by rare, beautiful things found in nature).
- Vichaiyut – Intelligent or wise (connected to natural growth and wisdom).
- Suwan – Golden (representing the richness of nature or elements like the sun or gold).
- Thongtham – Golden or precious (linked to natural wealth).
- Khamphirun – Fortunate or prosperous (inspired by the bounty of nature).
- Wittaya – Knowledge or wisdom (nature’s wisdom, reflecting deep understanding).
- Rungtip – Radiant or bright (like the light from the sun or stars).
- Phongsavath – Successful or lucky (associated with nature’s bountiful gifts).
Surnames Honoring Royalty and Nobility
- Ratchakorn – Royal or kingly (directly related to royalty).
- Rathawut – Warrior or champion (often used by noble families).
- Chalermchai – Celebrated victory (associated with noble achievements).
- Ratchirat – Royal or noble (direct connection to nobility).
- Rattanakorn – Precious stone or gem (symbolizing the value and treasures associated with royalty).
- Sirinrat – Noble or distinguished (indicating a noble lineage).
- Vachiravuth – Heroic or noble (inspired by royalty and nobility).
- Rujinarak – Glorious or illustrious (used by families of noble or royal status).
- Worawut – Heroic or noble (indicating a noble heritage).
- Vachiraporn – Strong and precious (often used for royal families).
- Vachirawit – Strength or excellence (suggesting a royal or noble heritage).
- Rattanapong – Precious or valuable (could refer to the treasures associated with royalty).
- Thongchai – Golden victory (a noble or royal triumph).
- Pachara – Superior or honorable (referring to a royal or noble class).
- Sasithorn – Peaceful or serene (often used for royalty or noble families).
- Narapong – Glorious or distinguished (directly associated with nobility).
- Pongsak – Successful or lucky (indicating a noble or privileged lineage).
- Sakarin – Strength or endurance (associated with royalty or powerful leaders).
- Vishit – Bright or glorious (suggesting a royal or noble lineage).
- Chakri – A name associated with royal dynasties in Thailand.
Surnames Derived from Geographical Locations
- Nakhon – City or urban (directly inspired by a geographical location).
- Suwansak – Golden or rich (could be derived from an area known for wealth).
- Sathit – Strength or powerful (could refer to a stronghold or fort).
- Sukhumvit – Peace or comfort (may be associated with a place known for peace).
- Rungtip – Radiant or bright (could be inspired by a geographical location with a bright climate).
- Virotana – Victorious or successful (possibly a place associated with triumph or victory).
- Prayut – Growth or development (likely derived from a place of development or prosperity).
- Phisit – Great or exceptional (could relate to a place renowned for its greatness).
- Rattanathee – Jewel or gem (might be associated with a location known for natural gems).
- Vachirawit – Power or wealth (potentially linked to a rich, prosperous location).
- Rattananin – Jewel of success (related to a prosperous or valuable geographical location).
- Vatcharaporn – Precious or royal (suggests a place of royal heritage).
- Phongsathit – Lucky or prosperous (may be inspired by a prosperous region).
- Wittayanit – Educational or scholarly (perhaps inspired by an intellectual hub).
- Kittisiri – Virtue or excellence (could relate to a place of great virtue).
- Sangwan – Happiness or joy (inspired by a peaceful or joyful location).
- Sukit – Blessed or fortunate (a geographical reference to a blessed or fortunate land).
- Vichirapan – Brilliant or radiant (could be related to a beautiful or luminous place).
- Rattanakorn – Treasure or gem (associated with a place known for wealth).
- Manichai – Strength or virtue (could refer to a powerful or virtuous region).
Surnames with Buddhist Influences
- Anusorn – Heritage or legacy (can be inspired by the Buddhist teachings of continuity and legacy).
- Kamphan – Protection or guardian (connected to Buddhist guardians or protectors).
- Atthawit – Knowledge or wisdom (reflecting Buddhist principles of wisdom).
- Sathit – Strength or powerful (can reflect the spiritual strength in Buddhism).
- Vijit – Bright or shining (symbolizing enlightenment, a key concept in Buddhism).
- Narin – Elite or distinguished (could reflect someone revered in Buddhist circles).
- Witthaya – Knowledge or education (reflecting the Buddhist quest for enlightenment).
- Sirasak – Noble or exalted (a common theme in Buddhist teachings on achieving higher states).
- Sakarin – Strength or endurance (often associated with the strength required on a Buddhist path).
- Thirawit – Insight or knowledge (reflecting Buddhist wisdom).
- Ratanawit – Gem or jewel of wisdom (a Buddhist-inspired name).
- Phattharawut – Bravery or valiance (reflects the Buddhist qualities of courage).
- Phirathit – Powerful or strong (can refer to spiritual power or strength).
- Buppha – Flower (symbolizes the lotus flower, often related to Buddhism).
- Chattan – Wisdom or knowledge (connected to Buddhist teachings).
- Viroj – Brightness or radiance (symbolizing enlightenment).
- Chirawit – Eternal life or longevity (a Buddhist influence).
- Worawut – Brightness or virtue (reflecting Buddhist virtues).
- Arthit – The sun or brightness (symbolizing enlightenment in Buddhist belief).
- Sittisak – Strong or powerful (influence from Buddhist teachings on the strength of character).
Additional Surnames (Various Inspirations)
- Kritsada – Successful
- Teerapat – Great path
- Narinthorn – Elite or distinguished
- Nattawut – Skilled or competent
- Apichai – Skilled or competent
- Udom – Prosperous or successful
- Wiroj – Bright or shining
- Sutthipong – Pure or sacred
- Kittichai – Strength and honor
- Chanthaphon – Light or illumination
- Lertchai – Strong or powerful
- Phongpan – Respected
- Visut – Brilliant
- Ekkachai – Eternal victory
- Suwandee – Pleasant or beautiful
- Surasak – Brave or courageous
- Phiraphat – Prosperous path
- Piyachai – Compassionate victory
- Nirun – Eternal or long-lasting
- Sakchai – Victory of strength
- Phakdee – Calm or serene
- Manas – Spirit or mind
- Sarawut – Leader or superior
- Kiat – Fame or reputation
- Chattara – Enlightenment
- Vachira – Diamond or precious
- Sorn – Garden or fertile
- Boon – Blessing or merit
- Kanok – Beautiful or exquisite
- Attharong – Wise or thoughtful
- Sangthong – Golden
- Wikrom – Bright or radiant
- Suksai – Joyful
- Settha – Wealthy
- Rung – Bright or shining
- Kittisak – Strength or power
- Nithiwat – Virtuous or noble
- Phongsakorn – Lucky or prosperous
- Pattanakorn – City of prosperity
- Akkara – Powerful or sacred
- Sukon – Happiness
- Ratchasak – Royal strength
- Tharawat – High or noble
- Tirawat – Strength or power
- Visan – Brightness or radiance
- Kittaya – Strength or dignity
- Rachada – Royal or noble
- Apinya – Skill or talent
- Charoen – Prosperous or abundant
- Teerachai – Victory or honor
Conclusion
These names show us how Thai families value their unique identity – from names meaning “light” and “gold” to those honoring strength and wisdom.
Each Thai surname tells a story, whether it came from Chinese traders, Arabic scholars, or Thai ancestors.
We hope this guide helps you understand the story behind your Thai family name or gives you new insight into Thai culture and its special naming traditions.