The Teng Clan#

Clan Name: Teng, pronounced as “téng”

Distribution of the Teng Clan#

Nanyang Commandery:

• During the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, there were multiple regions referred to as Nanyang. Lu Nanyang referred to the area south of Mount Tai and north of the Wen River. Jin Nanyang encompassed the region south of the Taihang Mountains and north of the Yellow River. During the Warring States period, it was part of Wei Nanyang; a portion of it also belonged to Han (in 263 BCE, when Qin’s Bai Qi conquered Han and Nanyang, Han’s main territory was separated from the Shangdang Commandery). The area south of the Funiu Mountains and north of the Han River was also called Nanyang and was divided between Han and Chu.
• The Qin Dynasty established the Nanyang Commandery, with its administrative center in Wan (present-day Kaifeng, Henan Province). During the Sui and Tang dynasties, the administrative center was moved to Rang County (present-day Deng County). In the Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties, the Nanyang Prefecture was based in Nanyang, which corresponds to the ancient Han Wan County and the modern-day Nanyang City.

Origins of the Teng Clan#

The Teng surname has three possible origins:

1. From the Ji clan: One branch of the Teng clan descended from the Ji clan, one of the twelve surnames of the descendants of the Yellow Emperor. According to the “Wanxing Tongpu,” one of the Yellow Emperor’s twenty-five sons was granted the Teng surname. This is the earliest origin of the Teng clan. This happened around 4000 years ago, during the legendary era of the Yellow Emperor. Sima Qian mentioned in the “Records of the Grand Historian” that among the Yellow Emperor’s twenty-five sons, fourteen were given surnames, including Teng.
2. Also from the Ji clan: Another branch originated from Cuo Shuxiu, the fourteenth son of King Wen of Zhou during the Western Zhou period. He took the name of his state as his surname. According to the “Wanxing Tongpu” and “Guangyun,” King Wu of Zhou granted Cuo Shuxiu the state of Teng (located southwest of present-day Tengzhou, Shandong Province) at the beginning of the Western Zhou period. The state of Teng was destroyed by the state of Yue during the early Warring States period but later re-established. It was eventually conquered by the state of Song, and the royal family of Teng adopted the name of their state as their surname. Some members of the Teng clan changed their surname to avoid persecution from enemies.
3. From other clans: During the Hongwu period of the Ming dynasty, a Mongolian individual named Zan was granted the Teng surname.

Ancestors of the Teng Clan:

• Cuo Shuxiu: According to the “Guangyun,” the Teng clan descended from Marquis Teng, whose descendants adopted the name of their state as their surname. Therefore, all Teng people worldwide can trace their ancestry back to Cuo Shuxiu, who was granted the state of Teng 3000 years ago. The ancient state of Teng was located in present-day Tengzhou, Shandong Province, making it the earliest birthplace of the Teng clan. Thus, the descendants of Cuo Shuxiu are regarded as the ancestors of the Teng surname.
• Teng Wengong: The Teng clan also descended from King Wen of Zhou. During his reign, the small state of Teng, despite being surrounded by larger powers, remained independent and was praised as a “virtuous state.” Therefore, the descendants of Teng Wengong are also regarded as the ancestors of the Teng surname.

Migration and Distribution:
According to the “Guangyun,” Cuo Shuxiu was granted the state of Teng by King Wen of Zhou, and his descendants adopted the name of their state as their surname. The Teng clan’s prominence can be traced back to this period. Additionally, according to the “Wumen Tengshi Shilue Chao,” the Teng clan originated from Cuo Shuxiu, the fourteenth son of King Wen of Zhou, who was granted the state of Teng (present-day Deng County, Shandong Province). The state of Teng existed for 639 years, from the 13th year of King Wu of Zhou to the 36th year of King Jing of Zhou. The deeds of the Teng clan are well-documented in historical records, although the exact lineage has become somewhat unclear over time.

Hall Names of the Teng Clan:
“Buzheng Hall,” “Fangzheng Hall,” “Nanyang Hall,” “Beihai Hall,” “Lianjing Hall,” “Wuju Hall,” and others.

Notable Figures with the Teng Surname:

• Teng Wengong: A wise ruler of the state of Teng during the Warring States period, also known as Yuan Gong. He lived during the same time as Mencius. According to the “Mencius Commentary,” Mencius and Teng Wengong were contemporaries. King Wengong focused on governing his state effectively and was highly respected.

The Teng clan has a rich historical heritage and a wide distribution across China, with various branches stemming from different origins.