Surname Zhang - Meaning and Origin

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A. Zhang

Zhang: What does the surname Zhang mean?

The last name Zhang is of Chinese origin and is one of the most common surnames in China. The character Zhang (张) means "archer's bow" or "to open, to spread" in Chinese. It is often traced back to a reign title held by King Mu of Zhou in the Zhou Dynasty. The word "Zhang" was used to denote a certain time period in history, which was later adopted as a surname. It's important to note that meanings can sometimes vary based on the different characters with which it is paired in a compound surname. Today, there are different branches of the Zhang family, each with their own family histories and origins. Overall, the surname represents a legacy of one of the oldest and most influential cultures in the world.

Zhang: Where does the name Zhang come from?

The surname Zhang originated from China and is one of the most common Chinese surnames today. It is derived from an old word which means bowyer or maker of bows and arrows, and was used as a title given to officials in charge of manufacturing bows and arrows in ancient Chinese dynasties. During the reign of Emperor Huang Di, a man who held this official title was given the surname Zhang, and it has since been passed down through generations. In the English-speaking world, Zhang is often spelled as Chang due to different methods of translating Chinese characters. Today, Zhang is widely spread across mainland China, Taiwan, and amongst overseas Chinese communities. Moreover, due to the large Chinese diaspora, you can find individuals with the surname Zhang all over the world in countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and various European nations.

Variations of the surname Zhang

The surname Zhang is of Chinese origin. It is one of the most common surnames in China. Due to regional dialects and language differences in China, as well as different romanization systems, it can have different English spellings, like Chang, Cheung, Tjiang, Tiong, Tsan, Tsang, Zang and Teong.

In addition, some variants of Zhang are based on the usage of a different Chinese character that sounds similar, but is written differently. For example, the surnames 张 and 章 both are pronounced as "Zhang" in Mandarin, but they are different surnames. Another surname which shares the same Pinyin form but differs in Chinese script is 獐.

In the Cantonese language, Zhang is also translated as Cheung or Jeung, while in Hokkien, Teochew, and Taiwanese it is often rendered as Tiong, Teong, Zang, Thiong, Thong, Jong, or Zhong. Zhang can also be a given name, as it means “archer” or “bow-maker”.

It should be noted that in different countries due to language and pronunciation differences, the surname Zhang can also be spelled in a variety of ways, as Zhaang, Jang, Jhang, Djang in Korea and Trương in Vietnam.

Famous people with the name Zhang

• Zhang Ziyi: A famous Chinese actress, best known for her roles in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, and Memoirs of a Geisha.
• Steven Zhang: The current president of the Italian football club Inter Milan.
• Zhang Yixing: A Chinese singer-songwriter, dancer, and actor, also known as Lay Zhang.
• Zhang Heng: A famous astronomer, mathematician and inventor from Han Dynasty China.
• Zhang Yimou: An acclaimed Chinese film director, known for movies like Raise the Red Lantern and Hero.
• Zhang Daqian: One of the most prominent and influential Chinese painters of the twentieth century.
• Zhang Jike: A retired Chinese table tennis player and two-time Olympic Champion.
• Zhang Zhidong: An influential statesman in the Qing Dynasty who promoted industrial and educational reforms.
• Zhang Zetian: China's youngest female billionaire, and wife of JD.COM founder Richard Liu.
• Zhang Sanfeng: A legendary Chinese Taoist fantasized to have founded Tai Chi Chuan.
• Zhang Zuolin: Prominent Chinese warlord during the Warlord Era.
• Zhang Xiaogang: Contemporary Chinese symbolist and surrealist painter.
• Zhang Ailing: A versatile Chinese writer Eileen Chang, known for the poignancy in her works.
• Zhang Jun: Chinese diplomat, currently serving as China’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations.

Other surnames

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