The Neng Clan#

Clan Name: Neng, Pronunciation: nài

Distribution of the Neng Clan#

• Taiyuan Commandery: Established during the Warring States period. Its administrative center was Jinyang, in the area of present-day Taiyuan City, Shanxi Province.
• Huayin County: Originally part of the Jin territory during the Spring and Autumn period. It was renamed Huayin County in the eighth year of Emperor Gao of Han’s reign due to its location north of the Taihua Mountains. The ancient city is located southeast of present-day Huayin County, Shanxi Province.

Origin of the Neng Clan#

The surname “Neng” has a pure lineage. One possible origin is from the royal family of the Chu state during the Spring and Autumn period. During the reign of King Cheng of Zhou, a minister named Xiong Yi was granted the title of “Zinan” (a noble rank) for his contributions, marking the beginning of the Chu state. Xiong Yi’s son, Xiong Zhi, was supposed to become the ruler of Chu, but due to a disability, he was instead enfeoffed in Kuí (east of present-day Zigui County, Hubei Province) as a vassal state, known as “Kuizi.” In the 26th year of Duke Xi of Lu’s reign, Chu conquered Kuí on the grounds that it failed to worship its ancestors. To avoid association with the conquered state, the people of Kuí removed four characters from their surname and changed it to “Neng.”

Ancestor of the Clan: Xiong Zhi

Migration and Distribution The Neng clan has not ranked among the top 100 surnames in mainland China or Taiwan. During the Zhou Dynasty, a minister named Xiong Yi was granted the throne of Chu and established the Chu state. Xiong Yi’s son, Xiong Zhi, was unable to inherit the throne due to a disability and was thus enfeoffed in Kuí. However, the Chu royal family remained skeptical of Xiong Zhi, fearing he would pose a threat, and eventually decided to eliminate him. To avoid further repercussions, Xiong Zhi’s descendants changed their surname to “Neng” and passed it down through generations. The descendants of the Neng clan with high moral standing reside in Taiyuan (present-day Taiyuan, Shanxi Province).

Hall Names

• Ziqing Hall: During the Tang Dynasty, Neng Yuanhao served as the military governor of Ziqing. He initially supported An Lushan but later defected to the Tang side.

Common Couplets for Neng Clan Ancestral Temples

• Four-Character Couplets:
  • Originating from Kuí; Originating from Taiyuan. (Refer to the sections “Origins of the Clan” and “Hall Names” for context.)
  • A renowned physician in the nation; Known for his political achievements in the local area. (Refer to historical figures Neng Zixuan and Neng Jian for their contributions.)
• Six-Character Couplets:
  • Deputy Censor of the Qing Dynasty; Military governor of the Tang Dynasty. (Refer to historical figures Neng Tu and Neng Yuanhao for their roles in different dynasties.)
  • Rising to prominence in the southern city; Achieving fame as an honest official in the capital. (Refer to historical figures Neng Zixuan and Neng Jian for their achievements.)

The Neng clan’s history and traditions are rich and significant, reflecting the changes in Chinese society and politics over the centuries.