Chinese Surnames

Hello: I do not claim to have a vast knowledge of Chinese or the origins of surnames. Below, please find a summary of a couple of articles I found on the net. I am especially confused about the Yellow Emperor. If anyone can help out, I would sincerely appreciate it.

from Ci Li The Formation of the Chinese People London: Humphrey Milford Oxford University Press,1928 and from Improve Mandarin web site in italics https://improvemandarin.com/most-common-chinese-surnames/

CHANG

The original Changs were found in the provinces of Honan, Shensi and Shansi. There first southward push began in 317 A.D. The Changs of Ch’alo origin had not yet crossed the Yangtze at the beginning of the Ming dynasty. (1368-1644)

Account 1-The surname Chang originated from the surname Chi and began with the 5th son of Shao-hao one of the sons of the Yellow Emperor.

Account 2-The family Chang served the state of Chin (1106-376 BC)for generations. The surname originated with the member named Chieh-chang whose descendants took personal name as their surname.

The first two accounts agree the earliest Chang originated from the surname Chi and is traceable to the Yellow Emperor.

CH’EN

The southward migration of the Ch’en took place at the same time as the Changs. Another southward migration took place in 907-1129 A.D. The southward push was caused by the invading Khitans.

Account 1-The surname Ch’en was derived from the surname Wei.

Account 2-There are four different groups of Ch’ens. A. the descendents of Emperor Shun.B. The Pai family which has substituted Ch’en for Pai since the Sui dynasty.(581-618) C. Ch’en of Wan-nien the descendants Liu Chiao who took his surname during the Han Dynasty.D.

CHU

The earliest Chus were found in both Shantung and Honan. In the middle of the Han dynasty(206 BC-220) and at the beginning of the Christian era they crossed the Yangtze and settled in Su-chou from which they spread to Nganhui and Fukien.

Account 1- Chu Hui is a native of Wa,NanYang(Honan). The descendants of this house went to Tang and changed their surname from Sung to Chu. Afterwards they migrated to Wan.

Account 2-

HU

The earliest Hu’s were found in several centres: Shensi, Kansu,Hupeh,Honan and probaly more. In the Ming dynasty(1368-1644) they were found south of the Yangtze.

HUANG-

Originated from the ancient Huang kingdom found in the 7th century. Mandarin-Huang; Hokkien or Teo Chew-Ng, Eng, Ooi or Wee

KUO

Kuo originated from Chi. The surname was originally Wo.

LI

The earliest record about the Li shows it was found Honan. Two main branchs form in the third century B.C. The Chihli branch later spread to Manchuria, Honan,Shansi,Shantung and others. The Kansu branch later spread out to Chihli, Honan, Shansi and Shantung. The migrations across the Yangtze occurred 618 A.D. In the T’ang dyntasty (618-906)) there were 37 branches of Li which spread all over China.

LIU

The earliest Liu’s were found in Shensi and Kansu. In the 3rd century they migrated south to Honan and Kiangsu. Then a dynasty of Han was created by members in Kiangsu whose descendants migrated to various parts of the Chinese domain. Royal surname of the Han dynasty. In Catonese, Hokkien and Teo Chew-Liew

WANG,WONG,ONG and HENG

Wang is the commonest surname in China. It means King. The Wangs were originally found in Honan and Shansi first branched off in the third century B.C., crossed the Yangtze in about the fourth century a.d. They then went to Fukien in the Tenth century and migrated to Kwangtung in the 13th century.

WU

Wu is of dual origin. The main stem is traceable back to the Yellow Emperor. The origin of the main stem was located in the Yangtze valley.Teo Chew-Go or Goh; Cantonese and Hakka-Ng;Foo Chow Ngu

YANG

Two main divisions exist among the Yangs. The main stem was from the royal house of Chou while the other came in with the Tobas. The early migrations are limited to those provinces located north of the Yangtze River. Sun rising over the poplar forest.

ZHANG

Named after the grandson of the Yellow Emperor who invented the bow and arrow. Taiwan-Chang; Cantonese-Cheung; Hakka-Chong; Foo Chow-Tiong; and Hokkien-Teo or Teoh

ZHAO

Original meaning dragon. From the ancient kingdom of Zhao. Mandarin-Chou; Hakka and Hokien-Chew, Chiu or Chu

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From the Encyclopedia.

TUNG

The surname Tung originated with Tung-Pu-tzu one of the friends of the Emperor Shun (2255-2206 B.C.) It spread out from the district Ping-Yuan (Shansi).

MENG

According to Feng su tung, the masters of Tung meng took the surname from the mountain Meng-shan.

KUNG

Kung originated from the surname Chi.

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From the Journal of Chinese Linguistics Surnames in China vol 14,no. 2

Common Chinese Surnames-Chen Lin, Huang, Zhang, Li, Wu, Wong, Liu, Cai and Yang

Dynasty Names-Tang,Yu,Xia,Yin

Places of residence-Chang,Guo, Yuan and Chi

Derived from nobility-Wang, Gong, Hou, Bo

From occupations-Wu-witch or wizard; Bu-diviner; Tao Potter; Jiang-Craftsman

Changes in surnames by royalty

Wang to Mang meaning python or boa

Wu to Fu meaning viper

Tao to Wu meaning mythical animal

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