This is an incomplete list of notable people that are regarded as being of Cantonese origin:
Historical
Liu Yan, king of Nanhai and first emperor of the Yue/Han kingdom between 917–971
Yuan Chonghuan, Ming dynasty general and patriot famed for defeating Qing dynasty rulers and founder Nurchaci and Hong Taiji
Liang Daoming, king of Palembang during the Ming dynasty.
Chow Ah Chi, a Toi San Cantonese was Sir Raffles ship's carpenter who landed first and led the way in posting the East India Company's flag on Singapore Island.
Ching Shih, worlds successful pirate and one of the world's most powerful pirates; she challenged the British empire, Portuguese empire, and Qing dynasty and was undefeated.[34][35]
Ah Pak, pirate chieftain who defeated Portuguese pirates
Liu Chang, the last emperor of the Southern Han Kingdom
Luo Sen, interpreter that assisted translations for American Commodore Mathew Perry in opening up Japan
Sun Yat-sen, born in Zhongshan, Guangdong. Chinese revolutionary and founder of the Republic of China. Sun's father was Cantonese, while mother a cantonese
Deng Shichang, admiral and one of the first modern naval officers in China in the late Qing dynasty
Tse Tsan-tai, early Chinese revolutionary of the late Qing Dynasty
Kang Youwei was a Chinese scholar, noted calligrapher and prominent political thinker and reformer of the late Qing dynasty.
Liang Qichao was a Chinese scholar, journalist, philosopher, and reformist who lived during the Qing dynasty and Republic of China.
Sun Ke, born in Xiangshan (now Zhongshan), Guangdong. Premier of the Republic of China, 1932, 1948–1949
Jiang Guangnai, general and statesman in the Republic of China and the People's Republic of China who successfully defended Shanghai City from the Japanese invasion in the 28 January Incident of 1932
Actors and entertainers
Anna May Wong, the first Chinese-American and Asian female international movie star
Anita Mui, singer and actress, dubbed as the "Madonna of the East".
Stephen Chow, His grandfather is from Ningbo but his mother is Cantonese. He is actor and film director known for the comedy blockbusters Shaolin Soccer and Kung Fu Hustle
Lao Lishi, Gold medal in women's 10-meter synchronized platform along with Li Ting.
Su Bingtian, As a sprinter, he is the reigning Asian champion over 100 metres, was a semi-finalist at the 2012 Summer Olympics and a finalist at the 2015 World Championships.
Liang Wen-Chong, Highest ranked golfer from the People's Republic of China, the only Chinese golfer to have reached the top 100 of the Official World Golf Ranking.
Zeng Qiliang, the first medal of Chinese male swimmer in world championships.
Chang Apana A famous detective who influenced many fictional works.
Ye Xiaogang, China's most active and most famous composers of contemporary classical music.
Venerable Jing Run, Buddhist abbess and was known as Singapore's "grand dame of charity" in recognition of her lifelong devotion in helping the old and needy.
^Maher, Tod; Gill, Bob (2013). The Canadian Pro Football Encyclopedia: Every Player, Coach and Game, 1946–2012. Maher Sports Media. p. 141. ISBN978-0983513667.