In places which use the Wade–Giles romanization such as Taiwan, Zhou is usually spelled as Chou, and it may also be spelled as Chiau, Chau, Chao, Chew, Chow, Chiu, Cho, Chu, Jhou, Jou, Djou, Jue, Jow, Joe, or Tseu, depending on regional pronunciation.

In 256 B.C., the Qin dynasty conquered Zhou and put Rufen under the jurisdiction of Runan County.

People with the Zhou surname could be found all over the country due to enfeoffment and migration through the ages, especially from out Runan.

In general the migration of the Zhou family followed the pattern of "west to east" and "south to north".

[6] The clan jetties form part of the core area of the Georgetown UNESCO World Heritage site.