荣姓
The Rong surname, with ancient origins from figures like Rong Jiang, traces back to Zhou Dynasty officials granted the Rong fief. It originated from the Shanggu and Le'an regions, is a common Chinese surname widely distributed, and is especially prevalent in Jilin Province.
Rong Family Name
Family Name: Rong, Pronunciation: róng
Regions Where the Rong Family Name is Found
According to “Fengsu Tong” (Compendium of Customs), the Rong family name originated from the descendants of Rong Bo, a court official of King Cheng of Zhou. The Rong family trace their ancestry to the regions of Le'an and Shanggu:
- Shanggu Commandery: Its administrative center was located in the area of present-day Baoding and Yizhou in Hebei Province.
- Le'an Commandery: It was originally part of the Qiancheng Commandery during the Han Dynasty. The Le'an Commandery was established during the Southern Song Dynasty of the Southern Dynasties and was renamed Dizhou during the Sui Dynasty. Its former location is about 70 miles south of present-day Huimin County in Shandong Province, governing counties such as Guangrao, Huimin, and Gaoqing.
Origins of the Rong Family Name
There are several theories regarding the origin of the “Rong” family name:
- The family name was derived from the name of a town where they were granted land. As recorded in “Fengsu Tong Yi”, the descendants of Rong Bo, a court official of King Cheng of Zhou, were granted the town of Rong (located west of present-day Huxian County, Shaanxi Province), and thus the Rong family name emerged.
- Another theory suggests that Rong Yi, a high-ranking official of the Zhou Dynasty, was granted the fief of Rong (located west of present-day Gong County, Henan Province), which led to the establishment of the Rong family name.
- During the Spring and Autumn period, the Rong family also existed in the state of Lu. Confucius had a disciple named Rong Qi.
Ancestral Founder of the Rong Family Name
The ancestral founder of the Rong family is considered to be Rong Jiang, a minister who served under the Yellow Emperor. He is also sometimes referred to as Rong Shou. Therefore, the Rong family name is very ancient, with a history of at least 5,000 years. According to “Xing Shi Kao Lue” (A Brief Study of Family Names), it is recorded in “Lü Shi Chun Qiu” that Rong Shou was ordered by the Yellow Emperor to collaborate with Ling Lun in casting twelve bells to harmonize the five musical tones. He is regarded as the progenitor of Chinese music and the ancestral founder of the Rong family.
Hall Names
- Shanggu Hall: Named after the Shanggu region.
- Le'an Hall: Named after the Le'an region.
- Rencheng Hall: Named after the Rencheng region.
- Sanle Hall: Further information is needed.
- Bazhou Hall: Further information is needed.
- Liuhe Hall: Further information is needed.
Distribution and Migration
The Rong family name does not rank among the top 100 most common family names in Mainland China or Taiwan. It is a relatively common surname, with a wide distribution, accounting for approximately 0.01% of the Han population in China. The Rong family is particularly prevalent in Jilin Province, where it makes up about 33% of the total Rong population nationwide.