Traditional:

Jing

Pronounced like: "Jeeng"

Other Spellings: Jing, King, Keung, Cin, Keng

Quick Facts

SurnameJing ()
Traditional Form
Rank in China#245
Element (Wu Xing)Wood
Ancient RootMi (芈)
Origin EraWestern Zhou Dynasty

Origin and History of the Jing Family Name

L'origine principale du nom de famille Jing provient de la famille royale de l'État de Chu (nom de famille Mi/芈). Pendant la dynastie des Zhou occidentaux, une branche des descendants du roi Wu de Chu fut inféodée dans la région de Jing, et ils adoptèrent par la suite 'Jing' comme nom de clan pour commémorer leur terre ancestrale. Une seconde origine est liée à la région de Jingzhou ; les personnes y vivant prenaient souvent le nom de leur division administrative comme nom de famille. De plus, certains documents suggèrent qu'il est originaire des montagnes 'Jing', où des clans résidaient et s'identifiaient à la géographie. Au fil des siècles, le nom s'est propagé de la vallée centrale du fleuve Yangtsé à travers toute la Chine.

What Does the Chinese Surname Jing Mean?

Le nom de famille Jing (荆) se réfère littéralement à l'arbuste Vitex, une plante épineuse connue pour sa robustesse et son utilisation dans la fabrication de cannes ou de paniers dans la Chine ancienne. Métaphoriquement, il représente la résilience et la simplicité. Historiquement, 'Jing' était le nom original de l'État de Chu, l'un des États les plus puissants pendant les périodes des Printemps et Automnes et des Royaumes combattants. Par conséquent, le nom est profondément lié à l'identité culturelle des régions méridionales de la Chine, en particulier les provinces du Hubei et du Hunan. Il symbolise l'esprit robuste de la frontière et la culture sophistiquée du royaume de Chu.

Global Pronunciation and Variants of Jing

VariantPrimary Region
JingMandarin
KingCantonese
KeungCantonese/Hokkien
CinHokkien variant
KengTeochew

Famous People With the Surname Jing

1. Jing Ke : Un assassin légendaire de la période des Royaumes combattants, célèbre pour sa tentative ratée d'assassinat du roi de Qin (plus tard l'empereur Qin Shi Huang), symbolisant la loyauté et le courage ultimes.

2. Jing Hao : Un maître de la peinture de paysage de la période des Cinq Dynasties (v. 850–911), crédité du développement du style de paysage du Nord et auteur de 'Notes sur l'art du pinceau'.

3. Jing Han : Un éminent général militaire sous la dynastie des Song du Nord, connu pour sa bravoure et ses contributions stratégiques à la défense des frontières contre les incursions nomades.

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.

Looking for a Chinese Name with the Surname Jing?

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Perfect Names to Pair with Jing

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Chinese Surnames & Last Names FAQ

What does the Chinese surname Jing (荆) mean?+

The surname Jing (荆) literally refers to the Vitex shrub, a thorny plant known for its toughness and durability in ancient China, often used for making canes or weaving baskets. Metaphorically, the character represents resilience and simplicity. Historically, 'Jing' was the original name of the State of Chu, one of the most powerful states during the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods. Consequently, the surname is deeply intertwined with the cultural identity of the southern regions of China, particularly the Hubei and Hunan provinces. It symbolizes the rugged, unyielding spirit of the frontier and the sophisticated, mystical culture of the ancient Chu kingdom.

How common is the surname Jing?+

The surname Jing ranks approximately #245 among all Chinese surnames.

How do you pronounce the surname 荆?+

In Mandarin Pinyin, it is written as Jing. For English speakers, it is pronounced similarly to "Jeeng".

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.