Explanation of the Zheng Clan Totem

Meaning

According to the Shuowen Jiezi, the ancient form of Zheng (郑) derives from the character Dian (奠).

In bronze inscriptions, 奠 was often borrowed to represent 郑.

Its original meaning is to set up a sacrificial offering.

In oracle‑bone script, the character depicts a wine vessel placed on a ritual table, symbolizing offerings made to the spirits.

Origin

In 806 BCE, King Xuan of Zhou (Ji Jing) enfeoffed his younger brother Ji You, posthumously titled Duke Huan of Zheng, in the region of Zheng (modern Huaxian, Shaanxi).

This established the last new vassal state of the Western Zhou Dynasty.

In 773 BCE, Duke Huan of Zheng relocated his wealth, clansmen, and households—along with merchants—to the area between the states of Guo and Kuai.

This migration is known in history as “the relocation of the Guo and Kuai households” (虢郐寄孥).

His son, Duke Wu of Zheng, later conquered both the State of Kuai and Eastern Guo, establishing a new and stronger State of Zheng, with capitals at Xingyang and Xinzheng (both in modern Henan).

The State of Zheng lasted 23 rulers and 431 years.

In 375 BCE, during the reign of Duke You of Zheng, it was conquered by the State of Han.

After the fall of their state, the people of Zheng adopted Zheng as their surname.

Ancestral Founder of the Surname

Duke Huan of Zheng

Ancestral Homeland

Xingyang, Henan

Prominent Clans / Halls

• Xingyang, Luoyang

• Bojing Hall, Longxi Hall

Modern Ranking / Population

• 21st most common surname in China

• Approximately 12.4 million people

Ranking in the Song Dynasty’s Hundred Family Surnames

• 7th

Existing Genealogies

• 836 volumes preserved today