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

Le nom de famille Zhong possède trois origines historiques principales. Premièrement, il remonte au ministre légendaire Zhong Hui de la dynastie Shang, qui servit le roi Tang ; ses descendants adoptèrent son nom pour commémorer son mérite. Deuxièmement, il provient du clan Ji (姬), plus précisément des descendants des frères cadets des rois de la dynastie Zhou. Troisièmement, il est lié au célèbre disciple de Confucius, Zhong You (Zi Lu). Ses descendants prirent son nom comme nom de famille pour honorer son héritage de bravoure et de piété filiale. Ces lignées ont fusionné au fil des siècles pour former un nom profondément ancré dans la noblesse et l'érudition confucéenne.

What Does the Chinese Surname Zhong Mean?

Le caractère chinois '仲' (Zhòng) désigne fondamentalement le deuxième fils ou la position médiane au sein de la fratrie. Historiquement, les familles chinoises utilisaient la séquence 'Bo, Zhong, Shu, Ji' pour indiquer l'ordre d'ancienneté, 'Zhong' identifiant spécifiquement le deuxième. Au-delà de la parenté, le caractère implique le 'milieu', comme on le voit dans le mot 'Zhongqiu' (Mi-Automne). Symboliquement, il transmet un sentiment d'équilibre et de médiation. Le nom porte des connotations de fiabilité et de responsabilité, reflétant la valeur culturelle traditionnelle de maintien de l'ordre au sein de la hiérarchie familiale.

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) : L'un des plus éminents disciples de Confucius, célébré pour son courage, sa franchise et sa piété filiale inébranlable.

2. Zhong Yan : Un érudit-officiel distingué de la dynastie des Song du Sud, connu pour son excellence administrative et ses contributions au système de la fonction publique.

3. Zhong Changtong : Un philosophe et penseur politique de la fin de la dynastie des Han orientaux, dont les écrits critiquaient l'ordre social de son époque.

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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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.