The Feng Clan#

Clan Name: Feng, pronounced as “fèng”

Distribution of the Feng Clan#

• Pingyang Commandery: Pingyang Commandery was established during the Wei dynasty of the Three Kingdoms period. Before the Sui dynasty, it was located in the southwest of present-day Linfen, Shanxi Province; since the Sui dynasty, it has been in the area of present-day Linfen.
• Taiyang Commandery: This was the homeland of the Liu family, an ancient ancestor of the Zhou royal clan. Taiyang County was established during the Han dynasty. According to the “Baijiaxing” (A Hundred Family Surnames), Taiyang Commandery is now in the southwest of present-day Wugong County, Shaanxi Province.

Origin of the Feng Clan#

The origin of the “Feng” surname can be traced to the following sources:

1. From the Gaoxin clan: This branch descended from Emperor Ku, a great-grandson of the Yellow Emperor. They adopted their official title as their surname. According to the “Zuo Zhuan,” during the time of the Gaoxin clan, the Fengbird family held the position of “Li Zheng” (a court official in charge of the calendar). It is believed they took this official title as their surname.
2. From the Ji clan: This branch originated from the royal family of the Nanzhao kingdom during the Tang dynasty. They changed their surname from “Feng” to “Feng” after the Feng family name was changed during that period. According to the “Tongzhi·Shizú Lüè” (Comprehensive Records of Clan Names), the ancestors of the Feng clan can be traced back to the Zhou dynasty. The 17th son of King Wen of Zhou was granted the fief of Feng (north of present-day Yongxing County, Hunan Province) and was granted the title of Marquis of Feng. His descendants have used the state name “Feng” as their surname.
3. Among the Hui ethnic group: The Feng surname is also found among the Hui people. According to the “China Hui Ethnic Group Dictionary,” the Feng surname is one of the Hui clan names and is mainly distributed in the Guizhou region.

Ancestor of the Feng Clan: Emperor Ku

Emperor Ku is one of the “Five Emperors” in ancient Chinese history. He belonged to the Ji clan, was named Jun, and was also known as Gaoxin. He was the eldest son of the Yellow Emperor, Xuanxiao, and his uncle was Zhuanxu. Emperor Ku assisted Zhuanxu at the age of 15 and was granted the fief of Youxin (present-day Shangqiu, Henan Province). He actually lived in Diqu (present-day Puyang). He succeeded Zhuanxu to the throne at the age of 30 and ruled for 70 years, living to be 100 years old. He was buried in the Qiu Mountains south of Dunqiu City in Puyang. Many ancient documents identify Emperor Jun as Emperor Ku.

The Feng surname has a long history and can be traced back to the Gaoxin clan, which held the position of “Li Zheng” during the time of Emperor Ku (4,500 years ago). His descendants adopted the “Feng” name as their surname and have passed it down through generations.

Migration and Distribution: The Feng surname is not among the top 100 most common surnames in mainland China or Taiwan. Although the number of people with the Feng surname is not large, it is an ancient one. The phoenix is a symbol of great auspiciousness in ancient China, and the official position responsible for managing the calendar was called “Fengniao Shi,” which signifies favorable weather and peace for the country and its people. Due to the existence of this official position in ancient times, the “Feng” surname emerged. Over the past 4,000 years, descendants of the Feng clan have spread throughout China. According to the “Shìxìng Kǎolüè” (Research on Clan Names), the ancestor of the Feng clan was the Fengbird family during the time of Emperor Ku.

Notable People with the Feng Surname:

• Feng Xiru: A native of Wuxian during the Ming dynasty, he held various official positions. When the rebel army attacked Hanyang, the local governor abandoned his duties and fled, but Feng Xiru refused to let the city fall and suffered damage. He gathered the people to defend the city, which was successfully protected. The Feng clan’s hall name “Lizhong Tang” (Hall of Inspirating the People) originates from this event.

The phoenix is a symbol of great fortune in ancient China, and the official position responsible for managing the calendar was called “Fengniao Shi,” reflecting the desire for good weather and national prosperity. This official title led to the emergence of the “Feng” surname. During the Tang dynasty, descendants of the royal family of the Nanzhao kingdom also adopted the “Feng” surname. According to the “Zuo Zhuan,” the Feng surname originated from official titles and was widely used in regions such as Pingyang (established during the Wei dynasty of the Three Kingdoms period, in the southwest of present-day Linfen, Shanxi Province) and Taiyang (established during the Han dynasty; according to the “Baijiaxing,” Taiyang Commandery is now in the southwest of present-day Wugong County, Shaanxi Province).

Hall Names of the Feng Clan:
The “Lizhong Tang” (Hall of Inspirating the People) originated from the story of Feng Xiru, who served as a judge and county magistrate in Hanyang during the Ming dynasty. When the rebel army attacked, the governor fled, but Feng Xiru refused to abandon the city and defended it, saving the people.