Interpretation of the Zhang (章) Surname Totem

【Meaning】

The character Zhang (章) originally referred to a specific type of tree. Later, it evolved into the character 樟 (Zhāng), also known as the Camphor tree (Cinnamomum camphora). It is a large, aromatic evergreen tree. In ancient contexts, "Zhang" also carries the meaning of "pattern," "chapter," or "statute," symbolizing order, brilliance, and cultural refinement.

【Origins】

1. From the Jiang (姜) Surname: The Zhang clan is descended from the Yan Emperor (Shennong). The surname is derived from the name of an ancient state, and Jiang Ziya (Jiang Shang) is regarded as the primary founding ancestor.

2. The State of Zhang: The birthplace of the surname is Zhangcheng Village in Dongping County (now part of Zhangqiu, Shandong). During the Shang Dynasty, this area was the State of Zhang (鄣).

3. From Vassal to Surname: At the beginning of the Western Zhou, Jiang Ziya was enfeoffed in the State of Qi. The State of Zhang became a vassal to Qi. Later, the Duke of Qi enfeoffed the Zhang territory to one of his cadet sons. During the Spring and Autumn period, the State of Zhang was fully annexed by Qi. To remember their fallen country, the descendants adopted the state name "Zhang (鄣)" as their surname, but removed the "邑" (city/territory) radical (阝) on the right, resulting in the modern surname 章.

Historical & Demographic Profile

Category

Details

Founding Ancestor

Jiang Shang (Jiang Ziya / Taigong Wang)

Ancestral Homeland

Zhangqiu, Shandong Province

Prefectural Mansions

Wudu, Yuzhang, Hejian

Notable Hall Name

Jingzhao Hall

Modern Ranking / Population

Ranked 122nd / Approx. 1.57 million people

Song Dynasty Ranking

Ranked 59th in the Hundred Family Surnames

Extant Genealogies

260 volumes currently preserved

繁體中文版本 (Traditional Chinese)

章氏圖騰釋義

【釋義】

「章」本為木名。後來演變為「樟」，又名香樟，是一種大型常綠喬木。在古代語境中，「章」亦有「文章」、「章程」之意，象徵著秩序、文采與典章制度。

【起源】

1. 源於姜姓（炎帝後裔）： 章氏為炎帝神農氏的後裔，以國名為氏。得姓始祖為周朝開國元勳姜子牙（姜尚）。

2. 鄣國與齊國： 章氏的孕育地在山東省泰安市東平縣鄣城村（現屬章丘）。商朝時該地為「鄣國」。西周初年，姜子牙受封於齊，建立齊國，鄣國成為齊國的附庸國。

3. 去邑為姓： 齊太公後將鄣國分封給支庶子孫。春秋時期，鄣國最終被齊國徹底兼併。其後人為了紀念故國，便以國名「鄣」為氏，並去掉了表示疆邑的右耳旁「阝」，成為今日的「章」姓。

歷史與人口概況

類別

詳情

得姓始祖

姜尚（姜子牙、太公望）

始祖地

山東章丘

郡望

武都、豫章、河間

堂號

京兆堂

當今排序/人口

第122位 / 約157萬人

宋朝百家姓排序

第59位

現存家譜

260部