Interpretation of the Cheng (成) Surname Totem

【Meaning】

The original meaning of 成 (Chéng) is to complete or to realize. The character is composed of the components 戊 (Wù) and 丁 (Dīng). In ancient philosophy, Wù represents the "central palace" (center), signifying that all things reach fulfillment through the center. Therefore, the meaning of Cheng extends to achievement, success, becoming, and fulfillment.

【Origins】

1. From the Ji (姬) Surname: This lineage originates from the fief of Cheng (郕), granted to the younger brothers of King Wu of Zhou. The descendants adopted the name of the state as their surname. There are two nearly simultaneous branches:

   • Branch 1 (Ningyang, Shandong): At the beginning of the Western Zhou Dynasty, King Wu enfeoffed his younger brother Shu Wu (the sixth son of King Wen) in Cheng (present-day Ningyang, Shandong), where he established the State of Cheng. In 686 BC (the 11th year of King Zhuang of Zhou), the state was annexed by Duke Xiang of Qi. His descendants adopted the state name as their surname and later simplified it by removing the "city" radical (邑), resulting in the surname 成.

   • Branch 2 (Fan County, Henan): Around the same time, King Wu enfeoffed another member of the royal family, Ji Dai, in a different fief also named Cheng (north of Pucheng, Fan County, Henan). In 718 BC (the 2nd year of King Huan of Zhou), this state was annexed by Duke Xuan of Wei. His descendants likewise simplified the state name into the surname 成.

Historical & Demographic Profile

Category

Details

Founding Ancestors

Cheng Shu Wu, Ji Dai

Ancestral Homelands

Ningyang, Shandong; Fan County, Henan

Prefectural Mansions

Shanggu, Dongjun, Hongnong

Notable Hall Name

Yongjing Hall (Hall of Eternal Respect)

Modern Ranking / Population

Ranked 155th / Approx. 1,000,000 people

Song Dynasty Ranking

Ranked 122nd in the Hundred Family Surnames

Extant Genealogies

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