The Dang Family Name#

Family Name: Dang, pronounced as “dǎng”

Distribution of the Dang Family Name#

The prominent Dang clan resided in Fengyi (located within present-day Shaanxi Province). According to “Shixing Kaolüe” and “Junwang Baijiaxing,” the Dang surname originated from Fengyi Commandery. Fengyi Commandery was established in the first year of the Taichu era during the reign of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty and was one of the three key administrative regions along with “Youfufeng” and “Jingzhao Yi.” During the Three Kingdoms period, the state of Wei renamed Fengyi Commandery. This area corresponds to the region south of Hancheng, east of Baishui, and north of the Wei River in present-day Shaanxi Province.

Origin of the Dang Family Name#

There are seven theories regarding the origin of the Dang surname:

1. It may have stemmed from the Si surname, descended from King Yu of the Xia Dynasty, and thus is considered a descendant of the Xia people.
2. It could have been named after a place; during the Spring and Autumn period, a noble from the state of Jin was granted a fief in Shangdang (present-day Shanxi Province), and his descendants adopted the name Dang as their surname.
3. It may have originated from the Ren surname; a noble from the state of Lu, said to be a descendant of Yu Yang, the younger son of the Yellow Emperor, adopted the name Dang after being granted a fief in that area.
4. The Dang surname could also come from the Dangxiang Qiang people, an ancient ethnic minority in the northwest of China. According to “Guangyun,” the Dang surname originally belonged to the Dangxiang Qiang people but later changed.
5. The Xianpi people in the north also used the Dang surname; according to “Lushi,” they were descendants of the Yellow Emperor and adopted the name after settling in the Xianpi area.
6. The Dang surname among the Hui people originated from the Dangxiang people of Western Xia. After Yuan Hao established the Western Xia Dynasty in 1038 AD, some Dangxiang people assimilated into the Hui community and continued using the Dang surname. The Hui people with the Dang surname are mainly found in Henan and Shandong provinces.
7. In ancient times, the character for “Dang” was also pronounced as “Zhǎng,” and a branch of the Dang family adopted this pronunciation, leading to the emergence of the Zhang surname. The Zhang surname later branched into the Zhanglin surname.

Ancestral Figures

The origin of the Dang surname is attributed to King Yu of the Xia Dynasty, as recorded in “Mingxian Shizu Yanxing Leigao.” According to “Shixing Kaolüe,” a noble from the state of Lu during the Spring and Autumn period, the Dang family, was a descendant of the Zhou royal family. The Dang family descended from the ancient sage King Yu of Xia and has lived in the Dangxiang area for generations.

Migration and Distribution

The Dang surname has not made it into the top 100 most common surnames in mainland China or Taiwan. It originated from the Ji surname. During the Spring and Autumn period, a noble from the state of Jin was granted a fief in Shangdang, and some of his descendants adopted the place name as their surname. Another branch of the Dang family originated when a noble from the state of Lu was granted a fief in Dang, and his descendants also took the name Dang. The Dangxiang Qiang people, an ancient minority in the northwest, also contributed to the spread of the surname. In the late Ming Dynasty, some Dangxiang people assimilated into the Hui community and adopted the Hui surname. The Dang surname is now distributed throughout China, with concentrated populations in Shaanxi, Shandong, Shanxi, and Yunnan provinces.

Notable Figures

• Dang Jin of the Song Dynasty was awarded the title of “Zhongwu Jun Jiedushi” for his contributions in the campaign against Taiyuan. He was known for his robust physique and loyalty.
• Dang Huanchun of the Ming Dynasty served as the magistrate of Xiuying and defended the city bravely against the Qing army during the Chongzhen era.
• Dang Mao of the Ming Dynasty served as the magistrate of Wugong and demonstrated the demeanor of a wise elder, remaining calm in the face of praise and slander.
• Dang Qian of the Song Dynasty was known for his elegance and taste in tea.

Hall Names

• Zhongwutang: This hall is named in honor of Dang Jin for his military achievements during the Song Dynasty.

Common Couplets for Dang Family Temples

• “The Dang surname originates from Fengyi; its name recalls King Yu.” This couplet refers to the origin and historical significance of the Dang surname.
• “They harbor the resolve to resist the enemy; they embody the demeanor of a wise elder.” This couplet praises the wisdom and courage of Dang family members.
• “Dressed in armor, they stand with dignity; they sing softly while sipping tea.” This couplet describes the elegant lifestyle of the Dang family.

The Dang family name has a rich history and cultural heritage, with notable figures and temples throughout China.