Traditional:

Ying

Pronounced like: "Ying (rhymes with 'ring')"

Other Spellings: Ying, Eng, Ing, Yung

Quick Facts

SurnameYing ()
Traditional Form
Rank in China#239
Element (Wu Xing)Water
Ancient RootJi (姬)
Origin EraWestern Zhou Dynasty

Origin and History of the Ying Family Name

L'origine principale du nom de famille Ying remonte à la famille Ji (姬), le clan royal de la dynastie des Zhou occidentaux. Tout a commencé lorsque le roi Wu de Zhou a accordé le fief de Ying (situé dans l'actuelle ville de Pingdingshan, province du Henan) à son quatrième fils, connu sous le nom de Ying Shu. Les descendants de cette maison noble ont fini par adopter le nom de leur État comme nom de famille pour préserver leur identité. Une branche secondaire est issue de l'ancien État de Han pendant la période des Printemps et des Automnes, où certains fonctionnaires recevaient le titre de Ying. De plus, tout au long de l'histoire, le nom de famille a été adopté par diverses minorités ethniques lors de périodes de sinisation, notamment des clans du peuple Xianbei sous la dynastie des Wei du Nord et, plus tard, des groupes issus des ethnies mandchoue et mongole. Aujourd'hui, le nom est plus répandu dans les provinces du Zhejiang et de l'Anhui.

What Does the Chinese Surname Ying Mean?

Le caractère « Ying » (应) symbolisait à l'origine un type de petit tambour utilisé dans les ensembles musicaux de cérémonie anciens. Dans le contexte des noms de famille chinois, sa signification a évolué pour englober les concepts de « réponse », d'« accomplissement » ou d'« écho ». Historiquement, il représente une résonance entre les actions d'une personne et les attentes de l'ordre naturel ou social. Il signifie également l'héritage géographique de l'ancien État de Ying, où le nom désignait une interaction harmonieuse entre le souverain et la terre. Au fil des siècles, le nom de famille a fini par incarner des vertus telles que la réactivité intellectuelle, la continuité culturelle et la pertinence morale. Il suggère une personne en accord avec son environnement et qui porte la responsabilité de répondre à son lignage et au mandat du ciel.

Global Pronunciation and Variants of Ying

VariantPrimary Region
YingMandarin
YingCantonese
EngHokkien
IngTeochew
YungHakka

Famous People With the Surname Ying

1. Ying Shao : Un érudit et historien renommé de la dynastie des Han orientaux, célèbre pour avoir écrit le 'Fengsu Tongyi' (Signification globale des coutumes), un document essentiel sur la vie sociale de la Chine ancienne.

2. Ying Yang : L'un des célèbres 'Sept érudits de Jian'an' de la fin de la période des Han orientaux, connu pour ses contributions poétiques influentes et son talent littéraire.

3. Ying Zhan : Un général militaire de premier plan et haut fonctionnaire de la dynastie Jin, reconnu pour sa gouvernance et ses efforts pour maintenir la stabilité pendant une période d'intenses turbulences politiques.

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 Ying?

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Chinese Surnames & Last Names FAQ

What does the Chinese surname Ying (应) mean?+

The character 'Ying' (应) originally symbolized a type of small drum used in ancient ceremonial music ensembles. In the context of Chinese surnames, its meaning evolved to encompass the concepts of 'response,' 'fulfillment,' or 'echoing.' Historically, it represents a sense of resonance between one's actions and the expectations of the natural or social order. It also signifies the geographical legacy of the ancient State of Ying, where the name denoted a harmonious interaction between the ruler and the land. Over centuries, the surname has come to embody virtues such as intellectual responsiveness, cultural continuity, and moral appropriateness. It suggests a person who is in accord with their environment and carries the responsibility of answering to their lineage and the mandate of heaven.

How common is the surname Ying?+

The surname Ying ranks approximately #239 among all Chinese surnames.

How do you pronounce the surname 应?+

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

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.