The Long Family Name#

Family Name: Long, pronounced as “lóng”

Distribution of the Long Family Name#

Nanyang Commandery: This commandery was established during the reign of King Zhao of Qin during the Warring States period. It is located in the area of present-day Nanyang City, Henan Province.

Origins of the Long Family Name#

The Long family name has two possible origins:

1. The name originates from a place name. During the Spring and Autumn period, there was a place called Longyi in the state of Lu. Those who lived there or were granted fiefs in this area later took the name of the place as their family name.
2. The name also originates from the Xiongnu tribe. During the Western Han dynasty, the Xiongnu, a minority ethnic group in the north, had people with the surname Long.

Ancestor of the Long Family Name

The ancestor of the Long family is Long Jiang. According to records, the Long family name has two branches in China. One branch originates from the territory of the state of Lu during the Spring and Autumn period; the local people took the name of the place as their family name and became known as the Long family. The other branch comes from the Xiongnu tribe. In the early Han dynasty, among the people from the Xiongnu who had close relations with the central dynasty, there was a person named Long Jiang. Therefore, the Long family in China consists of two main branches: one with roots in Shandong and the other from the Xiongnu tribe. After thousands of years of reproduction, integration, and differentiation, it is now impossible to distinguish between the two branches. The prominent families of the Long family lived in Nanyang Commandery, which is now Nanyang City, Henan Province. The descendants of the Long family regard Long Jiang as the ancestor of the Long surname.

Migration and Distribution

The Long family name does not rank among the top 100 most common family names in mainland China or Taiwan.

During the Spring and Autumn period, there was a place called Longyi in the state of Lu, and the people who lived there took the name of the place as their family name. Historically, the Xiongnu tribe, a minority ethnic group in the north, also had people with the surname Long.

Hall Names

• Xiran Hall: During the Ming dynasty, there was a person named Long Guangzu, who was a successful candidate in the imperial examinations and served as a senior official in the Ministry of Rites. For his ability to consider the big picture and overall situation when discussing matters, he was promoted several times. However, due to disagreements with Prime Minister Zhang Juzheng, he retired to live in seclusion. He was later recalled to serve in the Ministry of Personnel and reinstated all the loyal officials who had been dismissed by Zhang Juzheng. The emperor praised his integrity and promoted him to the position of minister. Long Guangzu also recommended 22 other individuals, and his actions were highly esteemed by public opinion at the time. After his death, he was posthumously honored with the title “Zhuang Jian.”

Common Couplets for the Long Family Ancestral Hall

Four-Character Couplets for the Long Family Ancestral Hall

• The four common couplets for the Long family ancestral hall refer to Long Ying from the Ming dynasty, who was a local official in Nangong during the Xuande period. He was known for his simplicity, frugality, and integrity, resembling the qualities of ancient virtuous officials. Two military officers came to the county demanding land for settlement, but Long Ying refused them, stating that there was no unused land in the county, except for the area in front of his office. The officers left after realizing his integrity. Long Ying later became an imperial censor.

• “Integrity suppresses the powerful; uprightness cannot be taken away.” This couplet also refers to Long Ying’s integrity and unyielding stance.

Seven-Character and Longer Couplets for the Long Family Ancestral Hall

• The first couplet celebrates Long Cheng’s achievements as the governor of Nangong and his effective governance. The second couplet highlights Long Ying’s refusal to give up even a small piece of land, demonstrating his integrity and dedication to the people.

These couplets reflect the history and values of the Long family name.