[2] Their Fuzhounese name "Kuóh-dà̤" (曲 蹄) is a derogatory term used by the Fuzhou people on land, which can be literally translated into "bowlegged" and might come from the bow shape of their legs caused by longtime living in the low cabins of their boats.

[3][4] The Amoy University anthropologist Ling Hui-hsiang wrote on his theory of the Fujian Tanka being descendants of the Baiyue.

He claimed that Guangdong and Fujian Tanka are definitely descended from the old Baiyue ('Pai Yueh') peoples and that they may have been ancestors of the Malay race.

Due to the discriminatory policy imposed by the land-living Han majority, Fuzhou Tanka were forced to dress themselves in a humble way to show their inferiority to the land residents.

[citation needed] Before the 19th century, many Fuzhou Tanka practiced Taoism, worshiping Mazu, Linshui and other gods and goddesses.

Received, protected and assisted by the Roman Catholic Church in Fuzhou through Protectorate of missions, some of them were able to build simple land dwellings.

[10] Qing records indicate that "Weng, Ou, Chi, Pu, Jiang, and Hai" (翁, 歐, 池, 浦, 江) were surnames of the Fuzhou Tanka.