Ping Family Surname#

Surname: Ping, Pronunciation: píng

Areas where the Ping Surname is Found**#

Luoyang City, Henan Province; Wuzhi County, Henan Province

Origin of the Ping Surname**#

The Ping surname is one of the Chinese surnames, ranking 95th in the “Hundred Family Surnames” tradition. The total population with the Ping surname does not rank among the top 100 surnames in either the Chinese mainland or Taiwan Province.

Origins of the Ping Surname:#

1. Derived from an official title: This origin dates back to the Western Zhou Dynasty, when an official named Ping Jia (平贾人) used his title as his surname. According to the texts “Zhou Li · Di Guan · Zhi Ji” (Rites of Zhou · Earthly Officials · Quality Measures), “Ping Jia people were responsible for regulating market prices.” From this, some descendants adopted “Ping Jia” as their surname, which was later simplified to just “Ping” or “Jia.”
2. Derived from the Jiang surname: This lineage traces back to Yan Ying (晏婴), a prime minister of the State of Qi during the Spring and Autumn period. His descendants adopted his name as their surname.
3. Derived from the Ji surname: During the Warring States period, Han Ai Hou (韓哀侯), a ruler of the State of Han, granted his younger son, Wei Nuo (魏姥), the fief of Ping Yi (平邑) in present-day Linfen, Shanxi. His descendants took the name of the fief as their surname.
4. Derived from the Zi surname: This origin relates to Yuan Hou (苑侯), a son of King Wu Ding (商王 Wu Ding) of the Shang Dynasty. The compound surname was simplified over time.
5. Also derived from various official titles.
6. Derived from ethnic groups such as the Mongols, Manchus, and Hui people.

Migration and Spread**#

During the Spring and Autumn period, Yan Ying, a famous prime minister of the State of Qi, helped govern the state effectively despite his small stature. His descendants honored his name and adopted the character “ping” from his courtesy name as their surname. In the Warring States period, Han Ai Hou’s son, Wei Nuo, was granted the fief of Ping Yi, and his descendants also took the name of the fief as their surname.

Notable People with the Ping Surname**#

Ping Bu Qing (平步青) (1832–1896): A native of Shanyin during the Qing Dynasty, Ping Bu Qing was an expert in bibliography. He compiled works such as “Nan Lei Da Quan Ji Xu Lu” (Narrative of the Complete Collection of Nan Lei), “Lou Shan Tang Quan Shu Xu” (Preface to the Complete Works of Lou Shan Tang), and “Kao Ding Nan Lei” (Study and Verification of Nan Lei). He revised 88 books, including “Tao An Meng Yi” and “Liang Ban Qiu Yu Xuan Suibi” (Random Notes from the Two Kinds of Autumn Rain Huts). Although he wrote extensively, he was cautious about sharing his works, and only a few of them have survived to this day, such as “Xia Wai Xie”.

The Ping surname became a prominent family in the He Nei region and was known as the “He Nei Wang” (a prestigious family from He Nei). According to historical records, Han Ai Hou’s son, Wei Nuo, was granted the fief of Ping Yi, and his descendants adopted the name of the fief as their surname. This branch of the Ping surname originated from the Ji family.