Xiang / Hsiang
In 1990, Cangnan County recorded 5,844 registered people of Xiang lineage, ranking the surname 37th in the county. By 2005, the number had risen to 6,703, representing 0.67% of the county population and ranking 36th.
The Han Chinese Xiang surname is principally traced to Mi and Ji lineages. The Mi line descended from the Chu royal house: Prince Yan of Chu was enfeoffed at Xiangcheng and established the State of Xiang, after whose fall his descendants adopted Xiang as their surname. The Ji line originated from the Zhou-era State of Xiang, which was later annexed by Chu.
The Xiang clans of Cangnan use “Four Retentions” as their hall name. Xiang Zhao instructed his descendants to reserve talent for creation, official emolument for the court, wealth for the people, and blessings for their descendants.
Xiang families across Cangnan largely belong to the descendants of Xiang Zhao. In 941, the sixth year of the Tianfu era of the Later Jin, he moved from Chi'an in Changxi County, Fujian, to Yingqiao, now Xiangjiaqiao in Qianku.
Historical bearers of the Xiang surname include Xiang Tuo of the Spring and Autumn period, the Chu general Xiang Yan of the Warring States period, and the late-Qin figures Xiang Yu, Xiang Liang, and Xiang Bo. Later figures include the Tang poet Xiang Si, the Ming minister of justice Xiang Zhong and painter Xiang Yuanbian, and the Qing lyric poet Xiang Hongzuo.
Xiang Zhao, courtesy name Guoming, served as a judicial official under the Later Jin. He left office amid warfare in Fujian and settled at Yingqiao, where he became the first-generation founding ancestor. His wife, née Xu, bore two sons, Xiang Hu and Xiang Lian.
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