Jing

Pronounced like: "Jeeng (rhymes with 'sing')"

Other Spellings: Jing, Ching, Zing, Tseng, Kei

Quick Facts

SurnameJing ()
Rank in China#281
Element (Wu Xing)Water
Ancient RootJiang (姜) / Ji (姬)
Origin EraWestern Zhou Dynasty

Origin and History of the Jing Family Name

Le nom Jing a plusieurs racines historiques. Une lignée majeure provient du clan Jiang (姜) pendant la dynastie des Zhou occidentaux, spécifiquement des descendants du duc de Qi. Une autre source importante est l'ancien État de Jing (井国), qui existait pendant les dynasties Shang et Zhou ; après l'annexion de l'État, sa noblesse a adopté 'Jing' comme nom de famille. De plus, il provient d'un titre officiel de haut rang 'Jing' responsable de la gestion des systèmes de champs en puits de la cour royale des Zhou.

What Does the Chinese Surname Jing Mean?

Le nom de famille 'Jing' (井) se traduit littéralement par 'un puits d'eau'. Dans la Chine ancienne, le puits était le centre de la vie communautaire et le pilier de l'organisation sociale, illustré notamment par le 'système des champs en puits' (Jingtian). Ce système divisait les terres en neuf carrés, le carré central contenant un puits partagé par huit familles. Par conséquent, le nom porte des connotations profondes d'eau vitale, de stabilité communautaire, de subsistance et d'un ordre social structuré.

Global Pronunciation and Variants of Jing

VariantPrimary Region
JingMainland China
ChingWade-Giles
ZingShanghainese
TsengAlternative transliteration
KeiCantonese

Famous People With the Surname Jing

1. Jing Dan (井丹) : Un érudit de renom et un haut fonctionnaire sous la dynastie des Han orientaux, célèbre pour son intégrité inébranlable.

2. Jing Boxia (井伯夏) : Un fonctionnaire éminent de la période des Printemps et des Automnes qui a servi l'État de Qin, connu pour sa gouvernance administrative exceptionnelle.

3. Jing Wu (井勿) : Également connu sous le nom de Jing Wumu, il était un chef révolutionnaire et une figure militaire du début du 20e siècle qui a joué un rôle crucial dans la révolution Xinhai.

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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Chinese Surnames & Last Names FAQ

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

The surname 'Jing' (井) literally translates to 'a water well'. In ancient China, the well was the center of community life and the backbone of social organization, most notably exemplified by the 'Well-field system' (Jingtian). This system divided land into nine squares where the central square contained a well shared by eight families. Consequently, the surname carries deep connotations of life-giving water, communal stability, nourishment, and a structured social order centered around shared resources.

How common is the surname Jing?+

The surname Jing ranks approximately #281 among all Chinese surnames.

How do you pronounce the surname 井?+

In Mandarin Pinyin, it is written as Jing. For English speakers, it is pronounced similarly to "Jeeng (rhymes with 'sing')".

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.