Zhong Surname

Surname Overview

The surname 仲 is pronounced zhòng, and the character originally denotes the second in an order. Modern Zhong lineages commonly regard Zhong Hui, Zhong Shanfu, Ji Zhong, or Zhong You as surname progenitors.

Reference: 仲姓起源分布与家谱家族

Origins

Multiple Lineage Traditions

Traditions trace the surname to descendants of Zhong Xiong and Zhong Kan of the Gaoxin clan, Zhong Hui, Zhong Shanfu, Zhongzi of Song, or Qingfu of Lu. Deng Mingshi considered the claimed lineage from Xi Zhong to Zhong Hui possibly contrived.

Reference: 仲姓_仲姓的来源和历史_百家姓

Commanderies and Clan Halls

Commanderies and Hall Names

The surname's traditional commanderies are Zhongshan and Le'an. Hall names include Le'an Hall, Zhongshan Hall, Sanshan Hall, and Donglu Hall; Sanshan Hall is found around Ganyu, Xinghua, and Shuyang in Jiangsu.

Reference: 仲姓_仲姓的来源和历史_百家姓

Migration and Distribution

Historical Distribution

In the Song period, the surname was concentrated mainly in Hunan, Shandong, Hebei, Jiangsu, and Zhejiang, with Hunan accounting for about 27%. In the Ming period, it was concentrated mainly in Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Hebei, Anhui, Sichuan, and Henan, with Jiangsu accounting for about half.

Reference: 仲姓_仲姓的来源和历史_百家姓

Genealogy and Generation Names

Shared Generation Characters

Beginning with the 64th generation, the Jining Zhong lineage adopted shared auspicious generation characters, which gradually spread across most of Shandong, northern Jiangsu, Henan, Hebei, and Anhui.

Reference: 仲姓_仲姓的来源和历史_百家姓