The Zeng Clan#

Surname: Zeng, pronounced as zēng

Distribution of the Zeng Clan#

• Lu County: During the Western Han Dynasty, Xue County was reorganized into Lu State, with its administrative center located in Lu County (present-day Qufu, Shandong Province). This area corresponded to the territories of present-day Qufu, Teng County, Sishui, and other counties in Shandong. In the Jin Dynasty, it was renamed Lu County again.
• Tianshui County: Established in the third year of the Yuanding era of the Western Han Dynasty (114 BCE), the county was governed from Pingxiang (now in the northwest of Tongwei County, Gansu Province). Its jurisdiction included present-day Tongwei, Qin'an, Dingxi, Qingshui, Zhuanglang, Gangu, Zhangjiachuan, as well as parts of Tianshui City in the northwest and Longxi in the east. During the Western Jin Dynasty, the administrative center was moved to Shangqiu.
• Luling County: Established in the Eastern Han Dynasty, it was initially governed from Shiyang (now in the northeast of Jishui, Jiangxi Province). During the Three Kingdoms period, the Wu state moved its administrative center to Gaochang (now in the northwest of Taihe, Jiangxi Province). This area roughly corresponded to present-day Yongxin, Xiajiang, Le'an, and areas south of Shicheng in Jiangxi.

Origin of the Zeng Surname#

The Zeng surname has two possible origins:

1. From the Si surname: Zeng is a derivative of the Si surname, stemming from the descendants of Yu the Great. It is believed that during the reign of Emperor Shun, Gun's wife conceived a child after eating coix seeds in a dream. As a reward, Emperor Shun bestowed the Si surname on Yu. According to historical records such as "Shiben," "Yuanhe Xingzuan," and "Xingsheng Kaolue," Yu's fifth-generation descendant, Shaokang, granted his youngest son, Qu Lie, the title of lord over a region named "?." This state lasted for nearly two thousand years through the Xia, Shang, and Zhou dynasties until it was conquered by the Ju state in 567 BCE. The son of Shaokang, who felt the pain of his nation's fall, fled to the neighboring Lu state and became an official there. His descendants adopted the name of the lost state as their surname, which has been passed down to this day.
2. Accidental adoption by a foreign tribe: There are also accounts that the Zeng surname was adopted by a foreign tribe or individuals from other surnames, particularly among ethnic minorities such as the Tujia, Yi, Miao, and Li.

Founding Ancestor of the Zeng Surname#

Qu Lie (Marquis of ?): During the time of Emperor Shun, Gun's wife gave birth to Yu after eating coix seeds in a dream. Emperor Shun granted Yu the Si surname. After Shaokang restored the Xia dynasty, he appointed Qu Lie as the lord of "?," which remained in existence for over two thousand years until its fall. Qu Lie's descendants used the name of the state as their surname, which has been inherited through the ages.

Migration and Spread of the Zeng Clan#

The Zeng clan originally originated in the northwest of present-day Cangshan County, Shandong Province. During the Pre-Qin period, descendants of the Zeng clan who fled to Lu State became officials there and began to spread throughout Shandong and Hebei. During the Qin and Han dynasties, the Zeng clan gained fame for their filial piety, earning them the respect of feudal rulers, who honored them as "Zongsheng" (the Sage of Filial Piety). Notable figures from the Zeng clan include Zeng Le, who was a marquis in the Western Han Dynasty, and his descendants. The clan's influence expanded across various provinces due to their prominent roles in government.

Origins of the Zeng Surname#

The Zeng surname has two main origins:

1. Deriving from the Si surname: Zeng is a branch of the Si family, originating from Yu the Great, a descendant of the Xia dynasty. It is said that Emperor Shun granted Yu the Si surname after Gun's wife gave birth to him after a dream involving coix seeds. According to historical records, Yu's fifth-generation descendant, Shaokang, established the state of "?," which lasted for nearly two thousand years before being conquered. The clan's name reflects their ancestral heritage.
2. Accidental adoption by a foreign tribe: There are also accounts that the Zeng surname was adopted by individuals from other ethnic groups or surnames, particularly among minority groups such as the Tujia, Yi, Miao, and Li.

The Zeng clan has a long history and a wide distribution, with notable figures throughout Chinese history. Their influence can be seen in various provinces and regions, reflecting their significant contributions to Chinese culture and society.