Xiang Surname

Surname: Xiang, pronunciation: xiàng

Distribution of the Xiang Surname

Xihé Commandery: Established by the state of Wei during the Warring States period. It was located in the area along the Yellow River, between present-day Shanxi and Shaanxi provinces.
Bā Commandery: Established by the state of Qin during the Warring States period, taking over the territory of the Bāzi state. It is situated in the vicinity of present-day Chongqing, Sichuan province.

The surname “Xiang” has multiple origins:

From the Xiàng royal lineage of the Xia dynasty: During the Xia dynasty, there was an emperor named Xiàng. Some of his descendants adopted his name as their surname. Another branch of the Xiang surname originated from the Zi lineage; King He Bingjia of the Shang dynasty lived in the area of Xiang. Although he later moved the capital, those who remained in that territory continued to use “Xiang” as their surname. Xiang Rong was a famous essayist from the Jin dynasty, and Xiang Shifang was a literati from the Ming dynasty who became an official and was skilled in poetry and prose.

There are two main theories about the origin of the Xiang surname:

From the Si lineage: Descendants of the royal family of the Xia dynasty. There was an emperor named Xiàng, son of King Zhongkang of Xia. Some of his descendants adopted his name as their surname.
From the Zi lineage: Descendants of the royal family of the Shang dynasty. King He Bingjia of Shang originally lived in Xiang, but after moving the capital, those who stayed in that area continued to use “Xiang” as their surname.

Hall Names:

Fengde Hall: Xiang Yun, a person from the Later Qin dynasty, was known for his ability to satirize others. When Yao Xing enjoyed hunting and sometimes damaged crops, no one dared to remonstrate with him. Xiang Yun wrote an essay titled “De Lie Fu” (On Hunting and Virtue), stating that even hunters should uphold virtue and not harm crops. Yao Xing was so impressed by this work that he rewarded Xiang Yun with gold and silk. Yao Xing’s behavior also became more restrained after reading it.