The Xing Clan#

Clan Name: Xing (幸) Pronunciation: xìng

Distribution of the Xing Clan#

• Jurisdiction: Xiapi Commandery (later renamed Linhuai Commandery during the Eastern Han Dynasty). The administrative center was located in Xiapi (now northwest of Juning, Jiangsu). During the Southern Song Dynasty, it was again renamed Xiapi Commandery. The territory extended north to Xinyi and Pixian in Jiangsu, south to Jiashan in Anhui, and east to Lianshui, Huai'an, and Qingjiang in Jiangsu.

Origin of the Xing Clan#

According to the "Tongzhi·Shi Zu Lue," the Xing clan originated from Nanchang and Yanmen. Zhang Shu of the "Tongzhi" states that the clan received its name from an emperor, similar to the Cang and Shang clans. The people took pride in being favored by the emperor, which is how they acquired their surname. The ancestor of the Xing clan, Duke Yan, was granted the surname in the Renxu year (1079 BC) by King Cheng of Zhou for his services in defending Cangzhou (which was within the region of Yanmen). Duke Yan was the 47th son of King Wen of Zhou (some say he was a seventh-generation descendant of King Wen). His brother, King Wu, bestowed the surname "Xing" upon him for his contributions to the defense of Yanmen. Duke Yan's descendants continued to hold this surname for thirteen generations.

Branches of the Clan: Yanmen, Bohai, Nanchang

Migration History

The Xing clan originated from high-ranking officials trusted by ancient emperors. It is generally believed that the clan originated in Qingchi, Cangzhou, Hebei. The founder, Duke Yan, received the surname in 1079 BC for his services in defending Yanmen. During the Spring and Autumn period (625 BC), the 14th generation, Duke Shangji, was granted a new post in Gao'an, Jiangxi. In the Eastern Han Dynasty, the 32nd generation, Duke Tang, followed his father, Duke Weixin, to Jianchang (now Yongxiu County, Jiangxi). During the Northern and Southern Dynasties (in the second year of the Datong era under Emperor Wu of Liang, 528 AD), the father-son duo of Dukes Shu and their son were assigned to defend Yanmen and also governed Cangzhou, and later moved to Qingchi. In the Tang Dynasty (669 AD), a descendant of Duke Yan named Xing Maohong moved from Cangzhou to Sichuan. In the second year of the Tongtian era under Empress Wu Zetian (697 AD), Xing Maohong returned to Gaoan and became the progenitor of the Xing clan in the Jiangnan region. The 68th generation, Duke Xuan, followed his father to Bian (Kaifeng, Henan) and later settled in Ningzhou and Anxiang, Jiangxi. The 74th generation, Duke Kuo, assisted the Kang King during his southern expedition and was granted a position in Gaoan, later returning there. Duke Kuo had three sons: the eldest, Duke Zhi Ren, moved to Anxiang, Jiangxi in 1125 AD; the second, Duke Zhi Wen, moved to Dongyuanli, Xinfu, Jiangxi; and the third, Duke Zhi Deng, first moved to Suichuan and Shangyou, Jiangxi, and later settled in Nankang, Jiangxi. In the early Ming Dynasty, a descendant of Duke Xing Deng, Lang Feng, moved to Huabi Village, Fujian in 1369 AD. Three of his descendants—Qin Feng, Zong Yuan, and Zhi Chong—moved to Xingning, Meizhou, Guangdong in 1390 AD, and their descendants spread to various places in Guangdong. Another descendant, Duke Wu, moved from Gaoan to Ruichang, Jiujiang, Jiangxi, and from there to various regions in Jiangxi, Sichuan, Hubei, Southeast Asia, and Taiwan.

Notable People with the Xing Surname**#

• Xing Ling: A sorcerer from Yuzhang Jianchang (now Yongxiu County, Jiangxi). He was known for his extraordinary abilities, including divination, healing, and exorcising demons, and was highly respected by his community.
• Xing Nanrong: A scholar and educator from Gaoan, Jiangxi. He passed the imperial examinations in the ninth year of the Zhenyuan era under Emperor Dezong of Tang and held various official positions, including Grand Master of the Imperial Academy and Tutor to the Crown Prince. He made significant contributions to literature, history, and philosophy. Liu Zongyuan wrote a preface for a poem honoring Xing Nanrong, stating: "Sir Xing of Bohai, having served in high positions and been summoned by the emperor, exemplified integrity and duty."
• Xing Shi: A scholar from Gaoan, Jiangxi. He was a descendant of Xing Nanrong, known for his extensive knowledge, strong memory, and eloquence. He served as an editor in the imperial academy during the reign of Emperor Xizong of Tang.
• Xing Yinxun: A minister of the Later Shu during the Five Dynasties period. He was from Yunan, Sichuan, and served in the Later Shu government. He was promoted to various positions, including governor of Wuxin, and later wrote historical texts. After the fall of the Later Shu, he served under the Song Dynasty.

Other Information**#

The Xing clan has a long history and has spread throughout China and abroad, with members contributing to various fields of knowledge and governance.