The Feng Clan#

Surname: Feng, pronounced as fēng

Distribution of the Feng Clan#

According to the record in "Tongzhi. Shizhu Lue," the Feng clan originated from Songyang County. Songyang County was established in the fourth year of the Jian'an era of the Eastern Han Dynasty (199 AD) by separating land from Zhang'an County. In the ninth year of the Kaihuang era of the Sui Dynasty (589 AD), Kuocang County was created from the eastern regions of Songyang. During the fourth year of the Wude era of the Tang Dynasty (621 AD), Songzhou was established; in the eighth year, the state was abolished and the county was re-established. In the same year, Suichang County was merged into Songyang County. In the second year of the Jingyuan era (711 AD), Suichang was separated from Songyang. In the second year of the Qianyuan era (759 AD), Longquan County was established from the southern regions of Songyang, and since then, the boundaries of the county have remained relatively stable. During the Tang Dynasty's Zhenyuan era, the county seat was moved to its current location. In the fourth year of the Kaiping era of the Later Liang Dynasty (910 AD), the name of the county was changed to Changsong; in the fourth year of the Tianfu era of the Later Jin Dynasty (939 AD), it was renamed Bailong County. In the second year of the Xianping era of the Song Dynasty (999 AD), the name was changed back to Songyang County. In November 1958, Songyang County was abolished and merged into Suichang County; it was re-established in January 1982.

Origin of the Feng Clan#

The Feng surname has two origins:

1. It stems from the Ji surname, descending from the nobility of the State of Zheng during the Spring and Autumn period. One of the descendants of the Zheng nobility, Prince Feng, served as a high-ranking official during the reign of Duke Xi of Zheng. His grandchildren, Feng Shi and Feng Juan, adopted his name as their surname, thus founding the Feng clan.
2. It also originates from using a personal name as a surname, a practice that dates back to ancient times. During the Gaoxin era, there was a noble named Feng Hou Qie. In the State of Lu during the Zhou Dynasty, there was a place called Fengqiu, and their descendants all took the surname Feng.

Founder of the Clan

Prince Feng is considered the founder of the Feng clan. The Feng surname originated from the Ji surname. During the Spring and Autumn period, Duke Mu of Zheng had a son named Feng. His grandson, Prince Feng, served as a high-ranking official. His descendants, Feng Shi and Feng Juan, adopted his name as their surname, thereby establishing the Feng clan.

Migration and Distribution

The Feng clan is not among the top 100 most common surnames in mainland China or Taiwan. The Feng surname traces its origins to the Ji surname. During the Spring and Autumn period, Duke Mu of Zheng had a son named Prince Feng. Prince Feng's grandson, Feng Shi and Feng Juan, adopted their grandfather's name as their surname. In the early Zhou Dynasty, the 17th son of King Wen of Zhou was granted the fief of Feng (located east of present-day Huxian County, Shaanxi Province), and their descendants took the name of the fief as their surname, becoming the Feng clan. Later, some descendants took the left part of the character "Feng" as their surname (the traditional form of the character). The Feng clan has a long history but a relatively small population. They are found in various regions, including Wuqing in Tianjin, Shangyi and Jingxian in Hebei, Pingyi, Pingdu, Longkou, and Changle in Shandong, Wuhai in Inner Mongolia, Tianlin in Guangxi, Longchuan and Hekou in Yunnan, and Hechuan in Sichuan.

Hall Names

• Shangyi Hall: During the Song Dynasty, Feng Youjun served as the magistrate of both Yangzhou and Zhenjiang. He was known for his diligence, love for his family, and strong sense of loyalty. When a friend's daughter was kidnapped and sold into a brothel, Youjun paid a large sum of money to rescue her, found her a suitable husband, and treated her as his own daughter. The governor of the capital, Wang Zuo, greatly admired his act of loyalty.

Common Couplets for Feng Clan Ancestral Halls

Four-Character Couplets:

• "Clear and just, his reputation endures; loyal and heroic, his lineage thrives." (Written by an anonymous author.)
  This couplet refers to Feng Ji of the Song Dynasty, who was known for his integrity and fairness, serving as the magistrate of Gucheng and eventually reaching the rank of Censor-in-Chief. He reported Cai Jing's misconduct to Emperor Huizong, which caused him to fall out with the powerful officials. After Cai Jing came to power, Feng Ji was exiled.
• "His recommendations for the worthy were widely praised; his courage saved many from harm." (Written by an anonymous author.)
  This couplet refers to Feng Youjun, who recommended talented individuals and saved others from danger.

Seven-Character and Longer Couplets:

• "His recommendations for the worthy were highly regarded; his loyalty was remembered for generations." (Written by an anonymous author.)
  This couplet emphasizes Feng Ji's role in recommending talented individuals and his act of saving others.
• "He recognized a former friend's daughter in a brothel and acted with righteousness." (Written by an anonymous author.)
  This couplet mentions Feng Youjun, who recognized a young girl from his past and reported her situation to the governor, leading to her safe marriage.