Zeng (, ) is a Chinese family name. In Cantonese, it is Tsang; In Wade–Giles, such as those in Taiwan, Tseng or Tzeng; in Malaysia and Singapore, Chen or Cheng; in the Philippines, Chan; in Indonesia, Tjan; in Vietnam, Tăng. The surname Zeng is the 32nd most common surname in Mainland China as of 2019. It is the 16th most common surname in Taiwan. It meant "high" or "add" in ancient Chinese. Zeng is also a German family name with another origin.
Zeng was listed 385th on the Hundred Family Surnames.
Origin
The surname originates from () an ancient state located in present-day Cangshan County (now Lanling County) in Shandong province, which was granted to Qu Lie, son of the emperor Shao Kang in the Xia dynasty. The state was annexed by Ju (located mainly in present-day Shandong province) in 567 BC. The crown prince of the state, Wu, fled to Lu. He later dropped the radical in the character and adopted 曾 as his surname.
Generation Character
The Generation Character usually refers to the middle Character of the Chinese Name of a Zeng, and is used to determine the generation and clan a Zeng belongs to.
Generation Character Order
The Generation Character for Zeng from the 63rd Generation to the 97th Generation are as follows:
63rd to 67th Generation (Given in Year 1400) Hong, Wen, Zhen, Shang and Yan
68th to 77th Generation (Set in Year 1628) Xing, Yu, Chuan, Ji, Guang, Zhao, Xian, Qing, Fan and Xiang
78th to 87th Generation (Set in Year 1863) Ling, De, Wei, Chui, You, Qin, Shao, Nian, Xian and Yang
88th to 97th Generation (Set in Year 1870) Jian, Dao, Dun, An, Ding, Mao, Xiu, Zhao, Yi, Zhang, Yi, Wen, Huan, Jing, Rui, Yong, Xi, Shi, Xu, Chang
Notable people
Zengzi - Philosopher and disciple of Confucius. Zeng Shan - father of Zeng Qinghong, former Chinese politician Zeng Qinghong, former politburo standing committee member, Vice President Alice Tzeng – film actress Bowie Tsang – compere, singer Derek Tsang – flim actor Donald Tsang – former chief executive of Hong Kong Edward Tsang – computer scientist Eric Tsang – film actor, director Jasper Tsang – former President of the Legislative Council of Hong Kong Yani Tseng – professional golfer Tsang Tsou Choi – The Kowloon Emperor (Hong Kong graffiti artist) Tsang Yam Pui – former commissioner of the Hong Kong Police Tseng Chang – Chinese American actor Tseng Chung-ming, Deputy Minister of Health and Welfare of the Republic of China (2013–2015) Tseng Jen-Ho, Taiwanese baseball player Tseng Jing-ling, Minister of Veterans Affairs Commission of the Republic of China (2009–2013) Tseng Ming-chung, Chairperson of the Financial Supervisory Commission of the Republic of China (2013–2016) Tseng Shu-cheng, Deputy Mayor of Tainan (2015–2016) Tseng Yung-chuan, Vice President of the Legislative Yuan (2008–2012) Tseng Yung-fu, Minister of Justice of the Republic of China (2010–2013) Zeng Cheng, China national football team goalkeeper Zeng Chengwei Zeng Fanren Zeng Fanzhi Zeng Gong Zeng Guofan Zeng Jianhang (born 1998), Chinese hurdler Zeng Jinlian Zeng Jing Zeng Junchen, "King of Opium" Zeng Liansong Ovid Tzeng, Minister of Council of Cultural Affairs of the Republic of China (2011–2012) Zeng Peiyan Zeng Qiliang, Chinese breaststroke swimmer Zeng Wenhui (born 2005), Chinese skateboarder Zeng Xian, Ming dynasty general Zeng Xianyi Zeng Xueming (Tăng Tuyết Minh) - Undisclosed wife of Ho Chi Minh Zeng Yanfen Member of SNH48 Zeng Yi (painter) Oil painter Zeng Meihuizi - film actress Zeng Yike, Chinese singer
See also
Chinese name
Tomb of Marquis Yi of Zeng
References
External links
http://www.chineseetymology.org/CharacterASP/CharacterEtymology.aspx?characterInput=%E6%9B%BE Etymology of 曾