Hong Family Name#

Surname: Hong, pronounced as “hóng”

Distribution of the Hong Family Name#

Changping County: During the Western Han Dynasty, the counties of Jundu and Changping were established, belonging to the Shanggu Commandery. In the Eastern Han Dynasty, they were part of the Guangyang Commandery. During the Northern Wei Dynasty, Jundu was incorporated into the Yan Commandery. During the Tianping era of the Eastern Wei Dynasty, the county of Changping was established in the city of Jundu, becoming the administrative center of both Yanzhou and Changping Commandery. The administrative center of Jundu County was then moved to the northeast of the county. In the Northern Zhou Dynasty, the commanderies were abolished, but Changping Commandery was re-established soon after. At the beginning of the Sui Dynasty, the commandery was abolished again, and the area came under the jurisdiction of Youzhou; in the early Tang Dynasty (Daya era), it belonged to Zhuo Commandery. During the Liao Dynasty, Changping was part of the Xijin Prefecture, and in the Jin Dynasty, it became part of the Daxing Prefecture. In the Ming Dynasty, it was under the jurisdiction of Shuntian Prefecture.

Henei County: Established during the Chu-Han period, its administrative center was in Huai County (southeast of present-day Wushue, Henan Province), corresponding to the area north of the Yellow River and west of the Jinghan Railway (including Jixian County).

Henan Commandery: Established during the Han Dynasty, it is located in present-day Luoyang City, Henan Province.

Origin of the Hong Family Name#

The Hong family name has three possible origins:

1. It originates from the Mi surname, which was changed to Hong, with the ancestral name being used as the family name. During the Spring and Autumn period, a ruler of the Chu state had the surname Xiong. One of the princes of the Chu royal family, Xiong Zhi, was also named Hong, and was granted the title of King of E. His descendants adopted his ancestral name as their family name, passing it down through generations.

2. The name came from a place name. During the Han Dynasty, there was a place called “Hong” in the area around present-day Xiaoxian County, Jiangsu Province. Some people living there adopted “Hong” as their family name.

3. It originated from the Liu surname, with the surname being derived from a place name. Liu Fu, a son of Liu Jiao (the King Yuan of Chu during the Western Han Dynasty), was granted the fief of Hong. Since he was already a marquis, people called him Marquis Hong or Marquis Hong Fu. His descendants were supposed to inherit the fief and title, but when his great-grandson had no sons, the fief and title were taken back by the court. However, Marquis Hong Fu had multiple wives and concubines, and many of his descendants adopted the place name as their family name.

Originator of the Family Name: Liu Fu. According to “Tongzhi·Shizhu Lue,” “Yuanhe Xing Zuan,” and “Mingxian Shizhu Yanxing Leigao,” the Hong family name traces its origin to Liu Fu, a descendant of King Yuan of Chu. Since the Chu state descended from the ancient emperor Zhuanxu, the Hong family is considered a descendant of the Yellow Emperor Xuanyuan. Therefore, Liu Fu is regarded as the founder of the Hong family name.

Distribution and Migration: The Hong family name does not rank among the top 100 most common surnames in mainland China or Taiwan.

During the Spring and Autumn period, among the royal descendants of the Chu state, there was a prince named Xiong Zhi (also known as Xiong Hong). His descendants adopted his name as their family name to signify their royal lineage. Another theory suggests that in the early Western Han Dynasty, Liu Jiao, a brother of Emperor Gaozu of Han, was granted the title of King Yuan of Chu. His son, Liu Fu, was granted the fief of Hong (near present-day Xiaoxian County, Anhui Province). His descendants adopted the name of their fief as their family name. During the Han Dynasty, there was a place called “Hong” in the area around present-day Xiaoxian County, and some people living there adopted “Hong” as their family name.

Hall Names: The main hall name for the Hong family is “Henan Hall.”

Common Couplets for Hong Family Ancestral Shrines:

Four-character Couplets:

• “The surname originates from King of E; the lineage comes from Changping.” – Anonymous
• “A chivalrous woman from the Tang Dynasty; a marquis from the Han Dynasty.” – Li Wenzheng

Five-character Couplets:

• “The harmony of music and literature; farmers and workers are one family.” – Anonymous
• “The imperial grace is as profound as the sea; friendship is as enduring as a mountain.” – Anonymous

Six-character Couplets:

• “The chivalrous woman from the Tang Dynasty was known as Red Thread.” – Anonymous
• “The wise maid was unmatched in her wisdom.” – Anonymous

These couplets highlight the historical origins and traditions of the Hong family name.