Meaning: The character 通 means 'unimpeded' or 'all-encompassing.' The Tong surname originates from ancient Chinese official titles or place names. According to 'Fengsu Tong,' it traces back to Ji Tong, a minister of the Zhou Dynasty, whose descendants adopted the name of his fiefdom as their surname. Another theory links it to the place name Tongzhou (now Nantong, Jiangsu), where some residents took the name as their surname.
Tongyun (通云)
A prominent monk in the early Qing Dynasty, studied under Master Yuanwu and resided at Xuedou Mountain in eastern Zhejiang.
Tongzheng (通证)
A monk and painter in the early Qing Dynasty, known for his landscape paintings and his monastic life at Yuanjin Temple.
Tong Xian (通贤)
An eminent monk of the early Qing Dynasty, disciple of Master Yuanwu, and founder of the Stone Buddha Temple in Dun Village, Wujiang.
The '通' surname symbolizes clarity and openness, originating from ancient Chinese officials or geographical locations. It’s a rare name that carries a sense of historical depth and connection to ancient traditions.