Explanation of the Liang Clan Totem

Meaning

Liang (梁) is an associative‑meaning character composed of the elements for water and wood.

It originally referred to building a bridge over water—using timber to span a river.

From this, the character extends to meanings such as rising, supporting, and forming.

Origin

In the early Spring and Autumn period, Kang, the youngest son of Qin Zhong, a descendant of Bo Yi of the Ying lineage, was enfeoffed by King Ping of Zhou at Liang Mountain in Xiayang (south of modern Hancheng, Shaanxi).

He established the State of Liang, holding the rank of Bo (Count), and was known as Liang Kangbo.

Successive rulers of Liang, known collectively as Liang Bo, were fond of constructing lavish palaces and frequently undertook massive building projects.

The heavy labor burden caused widespread suffering, and many people fled the state.

In 641 BCE, Duke Mu of Qin sent troops to conquer Liang.

The territory was renamed Shaoliang.

The descendants of the fallen state mostly fled to the State of Jin.

They adopted the name of their former country, Liang, as their surname.

Ancestral Founder of the Surname

Liang Kangbo

Ancestral Homeland

Hancheng, Shaanxi

Prominent Clans / Halls

• Anding, Tianshui, Henan

• Yiguo Hall

Modern Ranking / Population

• 22nd most common surname in China

• Approximately 11.3 million people

Ranking in the Song Dynasty’s Hundred Family Surnames

• 128th

Existing Genealogies

• 248 volumes preserved today