Zhong

Pronounced like: "Johng (like 'song' but with a 'J')"

Other Spellings: Chung, Tiong, Joong, Trong, Zon

Quick Facts

SurnameZhong ()
Rank in China#224
Element (Wu Xing)Fire
Ancient RootJi (姬) / Zi (子)
Origin EraShang Dynasty / Western Zhou Dynasty

Origin and History of the Zhong Family Name

Der Nachname Zhong hat drei historische Ursprünge. Erstens geht er auf den legendären Minister Zhong Hui der Shang-Dynastie zurück, der König Tang diente; seine Nachkommen nahmen seinen Namen an. Zweitens entstammt er dem Ji (姬)-Clan, insbesondere den Nachkommen der jüngeren Brüder der Könige der Zhou-Dynastie, die 'Zhong' als Teil ihrer Höflichkeitsnamen verwendeten. Drittens ist er mit dem berühmten Konfuzius-Schüler Zhong You (Zi Lu) verbunden. Seine Nachkommen ehrten sein Erbe an Tapferkeit und kindlicher Pietät, indem sie seinen Namen als Nachnamen übernahmen. Diese Linien bildeten über Jahrhunderte einen in Adel und Gelehrsamkeit verwurzelten Namen.

What Does the Chinese Surname Zhong Mean?

Das Schriftzeichen '仲' (Zhòng) bedeutet ursprünglich der zweitgeborene Sohn oder die mittlere Position unter Geschwistern. In der alten chinesischen Tradition wurde die Abfolge 'Bo, Zhong, Shu, Ji' verwendet, um die Rangfolge der Brüder anzuzeigen, wobei 'Zhong' den Zweiten bezeichnete. Über die Verwandtschaft hinaus impliziert das Zeichen die 'Mitte', wie im Begriff 'Zhongqiu' (Mittherbst). Symbolisch vermittelt es ein Gefühl von Gleichgewicht und Vermittlung. Der Name trägt Konnotationen von Zuverlässigkeit und Verantwortung und spiegelt den kulturellen Wert wider, die Ordnung innerhalb der familiären Hierarchie und der Natur zu bewahren.

Global Pronunciation and Variants of Zhong

VariantPrimary Region
ChungCantonese/Wade-Giles
TiongHokkien/Teochew
JoongKorean
TrongVietnamese
ZonHakka

Famous People With the Surname Zhong

1. Zhong You (Zi Lu): Einer der bedeutendsten Schüler des Konfuzius, gefeiert für seinen Mut und seine aufrichtige Art. Er ist eine ikonische Figur der konfuzianischen Geschichte.

2. Zhong Yan: Ein angesehener Gelehrter und Beamter der südlichen Song-Dynastie, bekannt für seine herausragende Verwaltung und seine Beiträge zum Staatsdienst.

3. Zhong Changtong: Ein Philosoph der späten östlichen Han-Dynastie, dessen Schriften die soziale Ordnung und die Regierung seiner Zeit kritisch hinterfragten.

Clan Motto

Traditional clan mottos for the surname emphasize virtues such as integrity, diligence, and respect for one's ancestors. While specific wording may vary across regions and historical branches of the family, the spirit of these mottos is to honor the family line and live with moral responsibility in everyday life.

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Perfect Names to Pair with Zhong

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Chinese Surnames & Last Names FAQ

What does the Chinese surname Zhong (仲) mean?+

The Chinese character '仲' (Zhòng) fundamentally denotes the second-born son or the middle position among siblings. Historically, ancient Chinese families used the sequence of 'Bo, Zhong, Shu, Ji' to indicate the order of seniority among brothers, with 'Zhong' specifically identifying the second eldest. Beyond kinship, the character implies the 'middle' or 'mid-point,' as seen in the word 'Zhongqiu' (Mid-Autumn). Symbolically, it conveys a sense of balance, mediation, and transition. The name carries connotations of reliability and responsibility, reflecting the traditional cultural value of maintaining order within the family hierarchy and the natural world.

How common is the surname Zhong?+

The surname Zhong ranks approximately #224 among all Chinese surnames.

How do you pronounce the surname 仲?+

In Mandarin Pinyin, it is written as Zhong. For English speakers, it is pronounced similarly to "Johng (like 'song' but with a 'J')".

How many Chinese surnames are there?+

Historically, there are over 4,000 Chinese surnames, but only about 500 are in common use today. Our database covers these 500+ essential family names.

What are the most common Chinese last names?+

The most common Chinese last names are Wang (王), Li (李), and Zhang (张). Together, they account for over 20% of the population in China.

Are Chinese names written surname first?+

Yes, in Chinese culture, the surname is written first, followed by the given name. For example, in 'Li Shimin', 'Li' is the family name.

How can I find the meaning of my Chinese last name?+

Every Chinese surname has a distinct meaning rooted in ancient clans, professions, or elements. You can search our directory to find the specific origin of your name.

What is the 'Hundred Family Surnames' (Baijiaxing)?+

The 'Hundred Family Surnames' (百家姓) is a classic Chinese text compiling common surnames. Originally containing over 400 last names, it is a foundational piece of Chinese cultural identity.

Are there two-character Chinese surnames?+

Yes. While most are single-character (like Wang or Li), there are compound surnames (复姓 - Fùxìng) consisting of two characters, such as Ouyang (欧阳), Zhuge (诸葛), and Sima (司马).

Do Chinese women change their last name after marriage?+

Traditionally, no. Chinese women keep their maiden surname after marriage. It is very rare for a wife to adopt her husband's last name in Chinese culture.

What is the oldest Chinese surname?+

The oldest Chinese surnames often contain the 'woman' radical (女), such as Ji (姬), Jiang (姜), and Yao (姚), tracing back thousands of years to ancient matriarchal societies.

Why do so many people share the same Chinese last name?+

Due to centuries of population growth, clan consolidations, and the historical adoption of imperial surnames, a massive portion of the population now shares a small pool of common last names.

How are Chinese last names inherited?+

A Chinese surname is almost universally inherited from the father, maintaining the patrilineal clan lineage spanning dozens of generations.