Origin
Ju : 1: Chinese: Mandarin form of the surname 鞠 (also pronounced as Qu in Mandarin see Qu 4) meaning ‘ball made of leather’ or ‘enormous’ in ancient Chinese: from the personal name Ju (鞠) personal name of a grandson of Hou Ji who was an official during the reign of the legendary Emperor Yao (c. 24th century BC).2: Chinese: Mandarin form of the surname 居 meaning ‘dwell reside’ in Chinese: from the personal name Ju (居) style name of Xian Qie Ju (先且居) an official in the state of Jin during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC).3: Chinese: Mandarin form of the surname 巨 meaning ‘enormous’ in Chinese said to be borne by the descendants of Feng Ju (封鉅) teacher of the legendary emperor Huang Di the ‘Yellow Emperor’ (c. 27th century BC).4: Chinese: Mandarin form of the surname 劇 meaning ‘drama’ in Chinese: habitational name from the placename Ju (劇) a fief granted to an official in the state of Qi during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC).5: Chinese: Mandarin form of the surname 雎 meaning ‘osprey’ in Chinese of unexplained etymology.6: Chinese: alternative Mandarin form of the surnames 朱 諸 祝 and 竺; see Zhu 1-4.7: Chinese: alternative Mandarin form of the surnames 茹 and 汝 see Ru 1 and 2.8: Chinese: variant Romanization of the surname 周 see Zhou 1.9: Chinese: variant Romanization of the surname 趙 see Zhao 1.10: Chinese: variant Romanization of the surnames 俞 and 喻 possibly based on their Hokkien or Teochew pronunciations see Yu 3 and 6.11: Korean: variant of Chu 13.12: Dutch: altered form of French and Walloon Dieu. Compare Jue 5.
Chai : 1: Chinese: Mandarin and Cantonese form of the surname 柴 a word meaning ‘firewood’ in Chinese: from the personal name Chai (柴) the personal name of Gao Chai (高柴) a student of Confucius (551–479 BC). His grandson Ju (举) and Ju's descendants inherited his personal name 柴 as their surname.2: Chinese: alternative Mandarin form of the surname 翟 see Zhai.3: Chinese: Cantonese form of the surname 齊 see Qi 1.4: Chinese: variant Romanization of the surnames 蔡 (see Cai 1) and 宰 (see Tsai 1).5: Korean: variant of Chae.
Chun : 1: Chinese: Mandarin form of the surname 春 meaning ‘spring (season)’ in Chinese: (i) traced back to Chun Zi (春子) or Chun Ju (春居) the name of officials during the reign of King Xuan of Qi (ruler of the state of Qi died 301 BC). (ii) from the first element of Chun Shen (春申) title of Huang Xie (314– 238 BC) known as one of the Four Lords of Warring States Period (475– 221 BC) and also prime minister of the state of Chu.2: Chinese: Cantonese form of the surname 晉 see Jin 3.3: Chinese: Cantonese form of the surname 秦 see Qin 1.4: Chinese: variant Cantonese form of the surname 全 see Quan 2.5: Chinese: variant Romanization of the surname 陳 possibly based on its Cantonese pronunciation see Chen 1.6: Chinese: variant Romanization of the surname 鐘 see Zhong 1.7: Chinese: variant Romanization of the surname 莊 see Zhuang.8: Chinese: variant Romanization of the surname 岑 see Cen.9: Chinese: variant Romanization of the surname 曾 see Zeng.10: Chinese: variant Romanization of the surname 張 see Zhang 1.11: Korean: variant of Chŏn (see Chon 1).12: English (Wiltshire): variant of Chunn.
Ji : Chinese:: 1: Mandarin form of the surname 紀 meaning ‘record’ or ‘era’ in Chinese: (i) from Ji (紀) the name of an ancient state (located in Shouguang in Shandong province) granted to descendants of the legendary Yan Di the Yan Emperor. After the state was annexed by the state of Qi in 550 BC the name of the state was adopted as a surname. (ii) adopted in place of another Chinese surname Shu (舒) during the Tang dynasty (618–907 AD).2: Mandarin form of the surname 季 meaning ‘youngest son’ in ancient Chinese: (i) said to be borne by descendants of Ji Lian (季連) the youngest son of Lu Zhong a descendant of the legendary king Zhuanxu (traditional dates: 2514–2437 BC). (ii) said to be borne by descendants of Ji You (季友) the youngest son of the Duke Huan of Lu (the 15th ruler of the state of Lu died 694 BC).3: Mandarin form of the surname 冀 meaning ‘hope’ in ancient Chinese: (i) from Ji (冀) the name of an ancient state (located in Shanxi province). After it was annexed by the state of Jin during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC) the name of the state was adopted as a surname. (ii) from the placename Ji (冀) the name of a fief (located in Shanxi province) granted to Xi Rui an official in the state of Jin during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC).4: Mandarin form of the surname 姬 a complimentary term for ‘women’ in ancient Chinese: said to be the original surname of the legendary Huang Di the ‘Yellow Emperor’ (c. 27th century BC) perhaps from the name of a river called Ji Shui (姬水). This was also the surname of the royal family of the Western Zhou dynasty (1046–771 BC) and the Eastern Zhou dynasty (770–256 BC).5: Mandarin form of the surname 籍 meaning ‘books’ in ancient Chinese borne by the descendants of Bo Yan an official in charge of classical books and historical records in the state of Jin during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC).6: Mandarin form of the surname 嵇: (i) from the placename Ji (嵇) the name of a hill (located in Anhui province) where people with other surnames Kuai-Ji (會稽) or Xi (奚) migrated and adopted the name of the hill as the surname. (ii) adopted as a surname by the Tong Ji (統稽) and the He Xi (紇奚) family from the Xianbei ethnic group in northern China during the Northern Wei dynasty (386–534 AD).7: Mandarin form of the surname 吉 meaning ‘lucky’ in Chinese: (i) simplified form of the Chinese surname Ji (姞) originally the surname conferred on Bo Shu who was said to be a descendant of the legendary Huang Di the ‘Yellow Emperor’ (c. 27th century BC) and granted with the fief Southern Yan (located in Henan province). (ii) from part of the personal name of Yin Ji Fu (尹吉甫) an official during the reign of King Xuan of Zhou (reigned 827–782 BC).8: Mandarin form of the surname 計 meaning ‘calculate’ in Chinese: (i) possibly from Ji (計) the name of an ancient state (located in Shandong province) during the Xia dynasty (2070–1600 BC). (ii) possibly from the placename Ji Jin (計斤) the original capital (located in Shandong province) of the state of Ju during the Western Zhou dynasty (1046–771 BC).9: Mandarin form of the surname 薊 denoting a kind of thistle in Chinese: from the placename Ji (薊) (located in present-day Beijing).10: Mandarin form of the surname 暨 meaning ‘and’ or ‘as well as’ in ancient Chinese: (i) from the placename Ji (暨) the name of a fief (thought to have been located in Jiangsu province) during the Shang dynasty (1600–1046 BC). (ii) adopted in place of the Chinese surname Gai (概) in order to escape from feud and persecution.11: Mandarin form of the surname 汲 meaning ‘sap draw water’ in Chinese: (i) from Ji (汲) the name of an ancient state (located in present-day Henan province) during the Western Zhou dynasty (1046–771 BC) which was annexed by the state of Wey and became a fief granted to the crown prince of Duke Xuan of Wey (ruler of the state of Wey died 700 BC). The name of the state (fief) was then adopted as a surname by the residents. (ii) from the placename Ji (汲) the name of a fief (located in Shandong province) in the state of Qi granted to the descendants of Duke Xuan of Qi (ruler of the state of Qi died 301 BC). (iii) said to be borne by the descendants of the royal families in the state of Chen during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC). (iv) a surname from the Xianbei ethnic group in northern China.
Jia : Chinese:: 1: Mandarin form of the surname 賈 meaning ‘price’ or ‘merchants’ in ancient Chinese: (i) from Jia (賈) the name of a state (located in Linpan in Shanxi province) granted by King Kang of Zhou to Gong Ming a grandson of King Wu of Zhou (c. 1087–1043 BC). After the state was annexed by the state of Jin the name of the state was adopted as a surname. (ii) from the placename Jia (賈) the name of a fief (located in Linpan in Shanxi province) granted to She also called Jia Ji (賈季) or Jia Tuo (賈佗) son of a noble called Hu Yan in the state of Jin during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC).2: Mandarin form of the surname 郟: (i) from the placename Jia (郟) (located in W Luoyang in Henan province) the capital of the state during the reign of King Cheng of Zhou (reigned 1042–1021 BC). (ii) from the placename Jia (郟) the name of a fief (located in Henan province) granted to an official in the state of Zheng during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC).3: Mandarin form of the surname 甲 meaning ‘first’ in Chinese: (i) said to be traced back to Tai Jia (太甲 or written as Da Jia (大甲) fourth king of the Shang dynasty (1600–1046 BC). (ii) from Jia (甲) the name of a small ancient state (located in Hebei province) during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC). (iii) from the first element of the personal name Jia Fu (甲父) style name of an official in the state of Zheng during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC). (iv) said to be borne by the descendants of the royal families in the state of Chu and Jin during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC).4: Mandarin form of the surname 家 meaning ‘family home’ in Chinese: (i) from the first element of the personal name Jia Fu (家父) or Jia Bo (家伯) style name of officials during the Western Zhou dynasty (1046–771 BC). (ii) from the first element of the personal name Jia Ju (家駒) style name of a prince in the state of Lu during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC). (iii) shortened form of the compound surname Jia-Pu (家僕).5: Mandarin form of the surname 加 meaning ‘plus’ in Chinese.6: variant Romanization of the surname 車 see Che 1.
Kang : 1: Chinese: Mandarin form of the surname 康 meaning ‘healthy’ in Chinese: (i) from the first element of Kang Shu (康叔) the posthumous title of one of the sons of the virtuous King Wen of Zhou (1152–1056 BC). Kang Shu was the first king of the state of Wey (衛) (which is located mainly around present-day Hebi and Xinxiang in Henan province). (ii) from the first element of Kang Ju (康居) the name of a state in Central Asia during the Western Han dynasty (206 BC–25 AD). People from this state adopted 康 as their surname. (iii) from Kang (康) the Chinese name of the state of Samarkand in Central Asia. Immigrants from Samarkand in China acquired 康 the Chinese name of their state as their surname known as one of the 'Nine Sogdian Surnames’. (iv) adopted in place of another Chinese surname 匡 (see Kuang 2). Some people with the surname 匡 changed their surname to 康 during the reign of Zhao Kuangyin (赵匡胤) known as Emperor Taizu of Song (927–976 AD) the first emperor of the Northern Song dynasty (960–1127 AD) because 匡 happened to be part of the personal name of the emperor which was taboo in ancient China.2: Chinese: Mandarin form of the surname 亢 meaning ‘high’ or ‘haughty’ in Chinese: (i) from the first element of the placename Kang Fu (亢父) the name of a vassal state (in present-day Jining in Shandong province) in the state of Qi during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC). (ii) adopted in place of another Chinese surname 伉 (Kang in Mandarin pinyin) also sharing the same origin of another two Chinese surnames 抗 (Kang in Mandarin pinyin) and 杭 (pronounced the same as 抗 in ancient Chinese Hang in today's Mandarin pinyin) which can be traced back to San Kang (三伉/抗/杭) a noble official in the state of Wey (衛) during the Spring and Autumn Period (770–476 BC).3: Chinese: Cantonese form of the surname 耿 see Geng 2.4: Chinese: Teochew Hokkien or Taiwanese form of the surname 江 see Jiang 1. This pronunciation is found in eastern Guangdong province Fujian province and Taiwan from where some people migrated to Malaysia Singapore and other parts of Southeast Asia.5: Chinese: variant Romanization of the surname 簡 see Jian 1.6: Chinese: alternative Mandarin form of the surname 剛 see Gang 6.7: Korean: written 강 in Chinese characters 姜 康 剛 and 强. There are actually five Chinese characters for the surname Kang. Some records indicate that there are as many as one hundred separate Kang clans but only four have actually been documented. There is one Chinese character for each clan. The fifth character is an alternate character for the smallest of the Kang clans and is the result of a scribal error which was introduced in 1908. That segment of the smaller Kang clan which was labeled with the alternate character still uses it and recognizes it as the character for their surname. (i) The largest clan the Kang family of Chinju (it uses the Chinese character 姜) first appears in the historical record in AD 597. It is said to be descended from Kang I-shik (姜 以式) a military official in the ancient Koguryŏ kingdom. Kang I-shik valiantly defended the Koguryŏ kingdom against invasions from China. Subsequently his descendant Kang Chin (姜 縉) was enfeoffed with Chinju in Kyŏngsang South Province. Chinju henceforth became the clan seat for the Kang family. Many members of the largest Kang clan still live in the area of Chinju of Kyŏngsang Province. (ii) The Chinese character 康 is borne by the descendants of Kang Ho-kyŏng (康 虎景). His 14th-generation descendant Kang Chi-yŏn (康 之淵) attended the Koryŏ king Kojong when he fled to Kanghwa Island during the Mongol invasions. Kang Chi-yŏn was subsequently enfeoffed with Shinch’ŏn in Hwanghae Province. There are two other clans of this Kang family but both descend from Kang Chi-yŏn. (iii) The two smaller Kang clans have only a few households in all of Korea. Compare Gang 6.8: Cambodian: written កាំង of Chinese origin but unexplained etymology (probably corresponding to one of the surnames above).9: Cambodian: written កង corresponding to the Khmer word meaning e.g. ‘round bracelet’. Compare Kong 9.10: Southeast Asian (Hmong): variant of Khang 1; in Chinese characters it is written 康 (see 1 above).
Le : 1: Chinese: Mandarin form of the surname 樂 meaning ‘happiness’ in Chinese: from the first element of the personal name Le Fu (樂父) style name of Yan son of the Duke Dai of Song (ruler of the state of Song reigned 799–766 BC). Yan's grandson Le Ju (樂莒) inherited Le (樂) as his surname.2: Chinese: Mandarin form of the surname 勒: (i) from the second element of the placename Shu-Le (疏勒) an ancient state (located in present-day Xinjiang Uyghur autonomous region) during the Western Han dynasty (206 BC–25 AD). (ii) a surname near the Bohai Sea region during the Han dynasty (206 BC–220 AD). (iii) a surname traced back to the Hun ethnic group in northern China during the Jin dynasty (265–420 AD).3: Chinese: variant of Li.4: Chinese: variant Romanization of the surname 呂 possibly based on its Teochew pronunciation see Lu 6.5: Vietnamese (Lê): from the Chinese surname 黎 also the royal surname of the Lê Dynasty (usually referring to the Later Lê Dynasty 1428–1788 AD) see Li 2.6: Vietnamese (Lệ): from the Chinese surnames 厲 and 酈 see Li 5 and 6.
Lin : 1: Chinese: Mandarin form of the surname 林 meaning ‘woods forest’: (i) from the placename Chang Lin (長林) where Jian son of Bi Gan took refuge after his father was killed by Zhou last king of the Shang dynasty (1600–1046 BC). After the Shang dynasty was overthrown he was endowed with the surname Lin (林) by King Wu of Zhou (c. 1087–1043 BC). (ii) from the first element of the personal name Lin Kai (林開) son of King Ping of Zhou (died 720 BC). (iii) from the personal name of Lin Fang (林放) an official in the state of Lu also a student of Confucius (551–479 BC) during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC). (iv) adopted by the Qiu Lin (丘林) family as a surname during the Northern Wei dynasty (386–534 AD). (v) from the personal name of Lin Fu (林父) personal name of an official in the state of Wey during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC) whose original surname was Sun. (vi) from the placename Lin (林) the name of a fief granted to an official in the state of Ju during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC).2: Chinese: Mandarin form of the surname 藺 meaning ‘rush (a type of plant)’ in ancient Chinese: from the placename Lin (藺) the name of a fief (located in Shaanxi province or in Shanxi province) granted to Kang who lived during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC). He was descended from the Han family in the state of Jin but later went to the state of Zhao to seek an official post.3: Chinese: Cantonese form of the surnames 連 and 練 see Lian 2 and 3.4: Chinese: variant Romanization of the surname 凌 see Ling 4.5: Burmese: from a personal name usually forming part of a compound name from lin ‘bright clear’. Compare Lyn 3. — Note: Since Burmese do not have hereditary surnames this name was registered as such only after immigration of its bearers to the US.6: Cambodian: written លិន of Chinese origin but unexplained etymology (probably corresponding to one of the surnames above). Compare Lyn 3.7: Scottish and English: variant of Lynn and possibly also Flynn.
Mi : Chinese:: 1: Mandarin form of the surname 米 which means ‘rice’: (i) from one of the ‘Nine Sogdian Surnames’ also known as ‘nine surnames of Zhaowu’ because their ancestors came from Zhaowu an ancient city in present-day Gansu province in northwestern China. During the Sui and Tang dynasties (581–987 AD) there were nine Sogdian states in Central Asia one of which was called Mi (米) in Chinese (located in present-day Uzbekistan). Between 649 and 655 AD these states submitted to the Emperor Gaozong of Tang (628–683 AD). Immigrants from the state of Mi to China acquired the surname 米. (ii) for some families the surname is borne by descendants of Mi Fu (米芾) an artist in the Northern Song dynasty (960–1127 AD) who claimed he was a descendant from the royal families of the state of Chu in the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC) and changed his original surname 芈 to 米 a different Chinese character with the same pronunciation.2: Mandarin form of the surname 宓 (also pronounced as Fu in Mandarin): (i) said to be borne by descendants of Fu Xi (伏羲) a legendary figure prior to the Xia dynasty (2070–1600 BC). (ii) said to be traced back to Mi Kang Gong (密康公 also written as 宓康公 Duke Kang of Mi died 922 BC) ruler of the state of Mi during the Western Zhou dynasty (1046–771 BC).3: Mandarin form of the surname 密 meaning ‘secret’ in Chinese: (i) from the first element of Mi Xu (密須) the name of an ancient state (located in present-day Gansu province) during the Shang dynasty (1600–1046 BC). (ii) from Mi (密) the name of a state (originally located in present-day Gansu province later moved to Mixian in present-day Henan province) during the Zhou dynasty (1046–256 BC). (iii) from the placename Mi (密) the name of two fiefs (located in Shandong province) in the state of Lu and the state of Ju respectively. (iv) a surname from the Tangut ethnic group in northwestern China.4: Mandarin form of the surname 秘 (also pronounced as Bi or Bei in Mandarin) see Bi 3.
Wu : Chinese:: 1: Mandarin form of the surname 吳 meaning ‘big large’ in ancient Chinese: (i) from Wu (吳) the name of a state (located in present-day Jiangsu province) which was granted to Tai Bo the first son of King Tai of Zhou (died c. 1146 BC). After it was annexed by the state of Yue in 473 BC people from the state adopted 吳 (Wu) as their surname. (ii) from the placename Yu (虞) (located in present-day Shanxi province). Because Yu (虞) had a similar pronunciation to that of Wu (吳) in ancient Chinese some people acquired Wu (吳) instead of Yu (虞) as their surname.2: Mandarin form of the surname 伍 meaning ‘five’ in Chinese: (i) from the personal name of Wu Xu (伍胥) an official during the reign of the legendary Huang Di the ‘Yellow Emperor’ (c. 27th century BC). (ii) from the personal name of Wu Can (伍參) an official in the state of Chu during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC).3: Mandarin form of the surname 武 meaning ‘military’ or ‘martial arts’ in Chinese: (i) from Wu Luo (武羅) which is said to be either the name of an official or that of an ancient state (in present-day Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region) during the Xia dynasty (2070–1600 BC). (ii) from the personal name of Wu Ding (武丁) (died 1192 BC) king of the Shang dynasty (1600–1046 BC). (iii) from the personal name of Ji Wu (姬武) son of King Ping of Zhou (died 720 BC). (iv) from Wu (武) the posthumous title of the Duke Wu of Song (ruler of the state of Song reigned 765–748 BC).4: Mandarin form of the surname 巫 meaning ‘wizard witch’ in Chinese: (i) from the personal name of Wu Peng (巫彭) a doctor during the reign of the legendary Huang Di the ‘Yellow Emperor’ (c. 27th century BC). (ii) from the personal name of Wu Xian (巫鹹) and Wu Xian (巫賢) officials during the Shang dynasty (1600–1046 BC). (iii) from the occupational term Wu (巫) denoting soothsayers astrologists doctors or wizards in ancient China.5: Mandarin or Cantonese form of the surname 鄔: (i) from the placename Wu (鄔) a fief (in present-day Henan province) which was given to Qiu Yan the fourth son of Lu Zhong (said to be a descendant of the legendary Huang Di the ‘Yellow Emperor’ c. 27th century BC). (ii) from Wu (鄔) the name of a fief (located in present-day Shanxi province) which was granted to Wu Zang (鄔臧) an official in the state of Jin (located in present-day Shanxi province) during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC).6: Mandarin form of the surname 毋 meaning ‘no’ in ancient Chinese: (i) said to be borne by the descendants of Wu Ju (毋句) said to be the inventor of the sounding stone (or Qing) a musical instrument in ancient China. (ii) borne by the descendants of the royal families in the state of Song during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC). (iii) shortened form of compound Chinese surname Wu-Qiu (毋邱) the name of a fief in the state of Qi granted to a brother of King Xuan of Qi (ruler of the state of Qi died 301 BC) during Warring States Period (475– 221 BC). (iv) a surname from minority ethnic groups in ancient southwestern China.7: Mandarin form of the surname 烏 meaning ‘black’ in Chinese: (i) said to be from the first element of Wu Niao (烏鳥 literally meaning ‘black bird’) the name of a legendary official post prior to the Xia dynasty (2070–1600 BC). (ii) from the first element of the placename Wu Cheng (烏程) (located in present-day Zhejiang province) inhabited by the descendants of Gou Jian (died 465 BC) ruler of the state of Yue. (iii) shortened form of Wu-Huan (烏桓) a surname derived from the name of an ethnic group in northern China. (iv) adopted as a Han Chinese surname by the Wu Shi Lan (烏石蘭) family from the Xianbei ethnic group in northern China during the Northern Wei dynasty (386–534 AD) and by other minority ethnic groups in ancient northern China.8: Mandarin form of the surname 午 meaning ‘noon’ in Chinese: from Wu (午) personal name of Zi Geng (died 552 BC) prince of the state of Chu during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC).9: Mandarin form of the surname 仵 meaning ‘to be equal’ to or ‘to violate’ in ancient Chinese: borne by some descendants of the nobles in the state of Chu during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC) possibly adopted in place of other Chinese surnames.10: Mandarin form of the surname 吾 meaning 'I' in ancient Chinese: from the second element of Kun Wu (昆吾) the name of a descendant of the legendary Huang Di the ‘Yellow Emperor’ (c. 27th century BC). Kun Wu was said to excel at making cermatics and bronze vessels and establish a state (said to be located in present-day Henan province) also named Kun Wu during the Xia dynasty (2070–1600 BC).11: Cantonese form of the surname 胡 see Hu 1.12: Hokkien form of the Chinese surname 余 see Yu 1.
Xiang : Chinese:: 1: Mandarin form of the surname 向 meaning ‘direction’ or ‘towards’ in Chinese: (i) from Xiang (向) the name of an ancient state (located in Shandong province) annihilated in the early Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC). (ii) from Xiang (向) the name of an ancient state (located in Henan province) annihilated in the late the Western Zhou dynasty (1046–771 BC). (iii) from the first element of the personal name Xiang Fu (向父) style name of Bi son of the Duke Huan of Song (ruler of the state of Song died in 651 BC).2: Mandarin form of the surname 項 meaning ‘nape’ in ancient Chinese: from Xiang (項) the name of an ancient state (in present-day Xiangcheng in Henan province) said to have been annexed by the state of Qi or the state of Lu in 647 BC.3: Mandarin form of the surname 相: (i) from the placename Xiang (相) a city in the early Shang dynasty (1600 –1046 BC). (ii) from the personal name of Xiang Tu (相土) said to be the ancestor of the royal family of the Shang dynasty (1600 –1046 BC). (iii) traced back to some minority ethnic groups in southwestern China.4: Mandarin form of the surname 香 meaning ‘fragrant’ in Chinese: (i) said to be borne by descendants of Xiang Ju (香居) an official during the reign of King Xuan of Qi (ruler of the state of Qi died in 301 BC). (ii) from Xiang (香) the name of an ancient state in northwestern China and Central Asia. (iii) said to have been adopted as a surname by certain families in place of the Chinese surname Zha (查) in order to escape from persecution.
Zeng : 1: Chinese: Mandarin form of the surname 曾 meaning ‘high’ or ‘add’ in ancient Chinese: from Zeng (鄫) an ancient state (located in present-day Cangshan in Shandong province) granted to Qu Lie son of the emperor Shao Kang (reigned 1940–1880 BC) in the Xia dynasty (2070–1600 BC). The state was annexed by the state of Ju (located mainly in present-day Shandong province) in 567 BC. The crown prince of the state Wu fled to the state of Lu (located mainly in present-day Shandong province). He simplified the name of the state from 鄫 to 曾 and adopted it as his surname.2: German (mainly Thuringia): variant of Zang.
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Source : DAFN2 : Dictionary of American Family Names 2nd edition, ©2022 by Patrick Hanks and Oxford University Press
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