Interpretation of the Sheng (盛) Surname Totem

【Meaning】

The character 盛 (Sheng) originally refers to "placing offerings." It specifically describes grains and other sacrificial tributes placed within ceremonial vessels. This meaning extends to abundance, prosperity, numerous, illustrious, and praise. Furthermore, "Sheng" is phonetically and semantically interchangeable with 成 (Cheng), conveying the sense of becoming, completion, or achievement.

【Origins】

1. From the Ji (姬) Surname: At the beginning of the Zhou Dynasty, King Wu enfeoffed a son of King Wen in Sheng (present-day Tai'an, Shandong), establishing the State of Sheng. During the Spring and Autumn period, the state was annexed by the State of Qi. The descendants of the Lord of Sheng adopted the name of their fallen state as their surname.

2. From the Shi (奭) Surname (Naming Taboo): This branch descends from Zhao Gong Shi, who was enfeoffed in Zhao (present-day Qishan, Shaanxi). During the Western Han Dynasty, descendants of the Shi clan changed their surname to Sheng to avoid the naming taboo of Emperor Yuan of Han (whose given name was Liu Shi). In ancient phonology, Sheng and Shi were homophones.

Historical & Demographic Profile

Category

Details

Founding Ancestor

Gong Shi (Duke of Zhao)

Ancestral Homelands

Tai'an, Shandong; Qishan, Shaanxi

Prefectural Mansions

Runan, Liangguo

Hall Names (Tanghao)

Runan Hall, Liangguo Hall

Modern Ranking / Population

Ranked 159th / Approx. 980,000 people

Song Dynasty Ranking

Ranked 160th in the Hundred Family Surnames

Extant Genealogies

82 volumes currently preserv