Zhuang Family Name#

Zhuang is the family name, pronounced as "zhuāng".

Distribution of the Zhuang Family Name#

According to "Junwang Baijiaxing," the Zhuang family originated from Tianshui Commandery. Additionally, "Xingshiz kao lüe" mentions that the Zhuang family also had origins in Tianshui, Kuaiji, and Donghai. Tianshui Commandery was established at the beginning of the Western Han Dynasty and corresponded to the area around present-day Tianshui and Longxi in Gansu Province. Kuaiji Commandery was established during the Qin Dynasty and covered the southeastern part of present-day Jiangsu Province and the western part of Zhejiang Province, with its administrative center in Wuxian County, which is now in Suzhou, Jiangsu. Donghai Commandery during the Han Dynasty was located in the vicinity of present-day Tancheng, Shandong Province. During the Eastern Wei, Sui, and Tang dynasties, its territory extended east of present-day Donghai County, Jiangsu, and north of the Huai River.

Origins of the Zhuang Family Name#

The Zhuang family name has three possible origins:

1. It derived from the Mi surname, as descendants of the royal family of the Chu state during the Spring and Autumn Period, who adopted their ancestral title as their surname. According to "Jiji Pian" and "Mingxian Shizu Yanxing Leigao," after the death of King Mi Lu of Chu, he was posthumously titled "Zhuang," and his descendants adopted this title as their surname.

2. It originated from the Zi surname, as descendants of Duke Wu Zhuang of the Song state during the Spring and Autumn Period, who took his given name as their surname. According to "Xingshiz kao lüe" and "Zizhi Tongjian Yinzhu," Duke Wu Zhuang of Song was a notable figure, and his descendants adopted his name as their surname.

3. The family name also resulted from individuals changing their surnames from other origins.

Founding Ancestor of the Zhuang Family#

The founding ancestor of the Zhuang family is King Zhuang of Chu. Also known as King Jing Zhuang, he belonged to the royal family of the Chu state. During his reign, which lasted from 613 to 591 BCE, he strengthened the state's power, reformed internal affairs, and improved irrigation systems, making Chu a powerful state. In 606 BCE, he led an army against the Rong people and demonstrated his strategic vision. After his death, he was honored with the title "Zhuang," which signifies his virtue. Following his reign, there was a change in the surname during the Han Dynasty; Emperor Ming of Han, whose given name was Liu Zhuang, avoided using the character "Zhuang" in his own name, so the Zhuang surname was adopted by some of his descendants. During the Wei, Jin, and Southern and Northern Dynasties, some people with the surname Yan reverted to the Zhuang surname, leading to the saying "the Zhuang and Yan families are one."

Regions of Zhuang Family Presence#

The Zhuang family name is prominent in the following regions:

• Tianshui Commandery: As recorded in "Junwang Baijiaxing," the Zhuang family originated from Tianshui Commandery.
• Kuaiji Commandery: Established during the Qin Dynasty, it covered the southeastern part of present-day Jiangsu and the western part of Zhejiang.
• Donghai Commandery: Initially established during the Han Dynasty, its territory extended east of present-day Donghai County, Jiangsu, and north of the Huai River during later dynasties.

Historical References#

The Zhuang family name has several historical references in Chinese literature, such as in "Jiji Pian" and "Mingxian Shizu Yanxing Leigao," which provide details about its origins and spread.