Zheng Surname

Surname Overview

Zheng is a major Chinese surname, with Xingyang in Henan identified as its ancestral homeland; its population in China and overseas is about 12 million.

Reference: 郑氏家谱网 提供21个省区市的402部郑氏家谱、郑氏族谱

Origins

Three Origins

The Zheng surname has three main origins: Zi, Jiang, and Ji. The Zi Zheng state fell with the Shang dynasty; the Jiang branch descended from Jiang Taigong; and the Ji branch descended from King Wen of Zhou, with descendants adopting the state name after Zheng fell.

Reference: 郑姓起源分布与家谱家族

Historical Records

Zheng State History

In 806 BCE, King Xuan of Zhou enfeoffed Ji You at Nanzheng; Ji You became known as Duke Huan of Zheng. His successor Duke Wu moved east, established Zheng, and made Xinzheng its capital. In 376 BCE, Zheng was conquered by Marquis Ai of Han, after which its descendants adopted the state name as their surname.

Reference: 郑姓起源分布与家谱家族

Commanderies and Clan Halls

Hall Names

Zheng genealogies include hall names such as Dunlun Hall and Shudai Caotang. Dunlun Hall appears in the Qimen Jinying Zheng genealogy and the Qingxi Zheng family register, while Shudai Caotang appears in the Wuxi Comprehensive Zheng Genealogy.

Reference: 郑氏家谱网 提供21个省区市的402部郑氏家谱、郑氏族谱

Migration and Distribution

Before the Qin period, Zheng families were mainly active in the Central Plains of Shaanxi and Henan; during the Warring States period they entered Sichuan, Shanxi, Shandong, and Hebei. During the Han dynasty they moved from Shandong into Jiangsu and Zhejiang, while three waves of migration from the Central Plains to Fujian around the Western Jin transition, the early Tang, and the late Tang helped establish a center along the southeastern coast.

Reference: 郑姓起源分布与家谱家族

Genealogy and Generation Names

Genealogical Records

The Zheng Genealogy Network lists 402 Zheng genealogies and clan records from 21 provinces and regions. Some records document specific migrations: Ningjin Zheng ancestor Rong moved from Hongdong County in Shanxi's Pingyang Prefecture to Ningjin in the second year of the Yongle reign, while Zhenjiang Jianbi Zheng ancestor Wenbing moved from Yin County to Zhenjiang at the end of the Southern Song.

Reference: 郑氏家谱网 提供21个省区市的402部郑氏家谱、郑氏族谱