Surname Zhong - Meaning and Origin
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Zhong: What does the surname Zhong mean?
The last name Zhong (钟) is an ancient Chinese surname found mainly in areas of China such as Jiangsu, Shandong and Sichuan. It is also common among the Chinese diaspora.
A common legend states that the surname originated during the time of the Zhou Dynasty’s Great King Wen and his son King Wu, founder of the Zhou Dynasty. According to this legend, there was a man amongst King Wen’s warriors who upbraided him and who was later exiled from the kingdom. His descendents bore the surname Zhong as a mark of their origin.
This surname is made up of the two characters zhōng (钟) and xìng (姓) which together mean “eminent family” in Chinese. This emphasises the high status and respect associated with this surname.
The character zhōng (钟) also carries connotations of the ancient Chinese time measurement “bell and drum", as these were the main instruments for marking time in ancient China. This connects the surname Zhong to the concept of time, emphasising the importance of keeping track of the passage of time throughout history to the present day.
The surname is found widely across the world, implying that the bearer may have traveled further than most throughout the course of their life. As a result, they likely possess an international outlook and a valuable amount of experience and knowledge.
Order DNA origin analysisZhong: Where does the name Zhong come from?
The last name Zhong is one of the top three most common surnames of Chinese origin. This surname is most commonly found in Mainland China, where it is estimated that approximately 10% of the current population carries this surname. The last name Zhong is also highly concentrated in areas where Cantonese is spoken, including Hong Kong, Macau, Singapore, Malaysia and parts of Thailand.
The famous explorer Zheng He (1371-1435), who was born in Yunnan, China, is one of the earliest recorded individuals that bore the last name Zhong. The name is derived from either the Chinese terms zhǒng or zhòng, which both stand for “center” or “middle”.
The meaning of the last name is often associated with its literal translation, representing a central location or importance. As a result, those who carry the last name often aspire to achieve power or make a mark in society, either professionally or personally.
The last name Zhong is also common in Overseas Chinese communities around the world, particularly in regions with major Chinese immigrant populations such as the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. It is estimated that over 1 million individuals in the United States carry this last name.
Overall, the last name Zhong is widespread throughout East and South East Asia, as well as large Chinese diaspora communities in other countries around the world.
Variations of the surname Zhong
The surname Zhong originated from northern China, and it is also found in Korea, Japan, and Vietnam. The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin as Zhong are various and include Jung, Chung, Jong, Chong, Jeong, Yung, Ju/Joo, Choe, Tjong, Wyng, and Cheong.
The surname Zhong itself is also a variant spelling in the Chinese language. It is a direct transliteration of the characters 中 (zhōng) which means "middle" or "centre" and is associated with moderation. As a surname, it signifies that a person would demonstrate a balanced attitude in life.
The Korean spelling of Jong is based on Chinese characters which is written as 鄭 (jeong) in Chinese. In Korean, it is pronounced as "johng" and is usually found among the aristocratic classes in Korea.
The spelling Chung is the most commonly seen spelling of the surname in Vietnamese translations. This is related to traditional Chinese characters written as 鍾 (zhōng), and typically found in the origins of the Giao Chỉ District in Vietnam.
In Japanese, the surname is typically written as Yung or Joo and is commonly found in Okinawa and Shikoku. This is often a shortened version for Yamaguchi, which is related to the Chinese characters written as 山口 (yāngǔ).
Lastly, chairs Cheong or Choe, is a common Korean spelling of Chung. It is more commonly found among ethnic Koreans who have relocated to other countries.
Overall, the variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Zhong are plentiful, reflecting the rich history and culture of East Asia. Each name holds unique ties to the history and meanings that they each carry.
Famous people with the name Zhong
- Zhong Hua: Hong Kong film director
- Zhong Chenle: Chinese singer, member of the boy band Nineteen
- Zhong Chuxi: Chinese actress best known for her roles in films such as Beijing Love Story
- Zhong Nanshan: acclaimed Chinese respiratory expert
- Zhong Shan: Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China
- Zhong Xiaoxian: Chinese physicist, visionary and inventor
- Zhong Shaojun: Former Director of the Policy Research Office of the China Securities Regulatory Commission
- Zhong Jianhua: Chinese economist
- Zhong Wei: Chinese ice dancer
- Zhong Guohao: Chinese film and television actor