Meaning & History
Wang (3) is a Dutch and German surname with an entirely distinct origin from the more common Chinese surname Wang. It derives from the Middle High German and Middle Dutch word wange, meaning "cheek." The surname likely originated as a nickname for someone with notably round or rosy cheeks, a description that could have been applied based on physical appearance. While the exact historical record is sparse, it shares the European onomastic tradition of creating surnames from body parts or descriptive features—similar to surnames like "Mouth" or "Nose." The name carries no known coats of arms or notable bearers of widespread renown, but it remains in use among families in the Netherlands and German-speaking regions.