强姓
The Qiang surname, pronounced 'qiáng', has diverse origins from the Yan and Yellow Emperors, minority groups, and figures like Gongsun Qiang. Historically significant since the Spring and Autumn period, it contributed to China's ethnic integration and is borne by notable individuals like Qing scholar Qiang Xingjian.
The Qiang Family Name
Family name: Qiang, pronounced as qiáng
Distribution of the Qiang Family Name
Tianshui, Gansu; Xuancheng, Anhui
Origins of the Qiang Family Name
The Qiang family name has three origins:
- It originates from the Jiang family, descendants of the ancient Yan Emperor. During the Spring and Autumn period, there was a member of the Qi royal clan named Gongsun Qiang. His descendants adopted his name as their family name. Qiang?I, a minister of the Zheng state, was a descendant of Gongsun Qiang, and from then on, all members of his lineage carried the surname Qiang.
- It is also a historical clan name, descending from the Yellow Emperor. The great-grandson of the Yellow Emperor was named Yujiang, and his descendants used “Jiang” as their surname. Since “Jiang” and “Qiang” were interchangeable in ancient times, they later changed their surname to Qiang.
- The Qiang family name also comes from a minority group. For example, during the Sixteen Kingdoms period, descendants of Fu Jian of the Former Qin dynasty bore the surname Qiang.
Migration and Distribution
The Qiang family name has not made it into the top 100 most common surnames in either mainland China or Taiwan. Its origins are quite diverse, as it includes descendants of both the Yan Emperor and the Yellow Emperor. The emergence of the Qiang family name during the Five Barbarians and Sixteen Kingdoms period contributed to the growth and strength of the Chinese nation. Over time, the traditional cultural influences of the Han and non-Han peoples blurred their distinctions. Fu Jian played a key role in this process; his descendants became prominent figures, and the Qiang family name became one of the major surnames of that era. Records in the “Mingxian Shizu Yanxing Leigao” provide evidence of this connection, stating, “The Qin annals mention Qiang Yong, Qiang Bo, Qiang Yue, Qiang Bin, and Qiang Jing from Xiyang, as well as those from Lueyang.” Although it might seem that the Qiang family name originates from a clan, this is not entirely accurate. The Qiang family has a long history, dating back to the Spring and Autumn period (about 3000 years ago). During the Northern and Southern Dynasties, the Qiang clan particularly stood out.
Notable People with the Surname Qiang
Qiang Xingjian: A person from the Qing dynasty. Growing up in poverty, he was diligent in his studies and later practiced medicine to support his family. He was also skilled in poetry and calligraphy, especially in seal carving. He authored books such as “Yin Lun,” “Yin Guan,” “Yi An,” and “Shanghan Zhi Zhi.”