Emperor Xia Yu, China
Descendants of The Escaped Prince
Zeng is the 38th most common surname in China. Zeng came from the last name Si. It is named after a land. Si's were the descendants of the ancient emperor Xia Yu.
During the reign of the sixth emperor of the Xia Dynasty, Emperor Xia Shao Kang (2,079-2,057 B.C.) awarded the kingdom of Zeng to his youngest son Qu Lia, This kingdom was located in the south west of Can in Shandong Province. In 567 B.C., the army from the Lu kingdom invaded and destroyed the Zeng kingdom. The prince of Zeng escaped to the kingdom of Lou, and gave his descendants the last name Zeng.
The hometown of the Xeng clan is located about 25 miles of Zhe in Shandong Province. Lu is the prefecture from which the surname Zeng originated.
The Chinese character is from a simplified form of the name of the state of Kuai. It is use to mean once or formerly and also use with reference to mean great-grand (as in great-grand father).
Zeng is written with 12 strokes while some authority has put it down as 15 strokes.
Some famous Zeng people in history were:
* Bei Song Dynasty
o Zeng Gong Liang (Prime Minister)
o Zeng Bu (Judge)
* Nan Song Dynasty - Zeng Dei (Judge)
* Ming Dynasty - Zeng Xian (General)
* Qing Dynasty - Zeng Guo Fan
Emperor Xia Yu (2,205 - 2,197 B.C.):
Xia Yu was first awarded the land of Xia Bo by Di Shun. His father Gun was executed by Shun for his lack of accomplishments in fighting the flood. Yu succeeded his father and vowed to conquer the flood. Yu Di was a great engineer who controlled the flood of Yellow River. During his long battle with the flood, Yu passed the porch of his house three times and refused to pay a visit. "I don't have a family until the flood is under control", he said. Yu also set up a timing system for every day.
Xia Qi (2,197-2,188 B.C.)
Xia Yu gave his throne to his follower Yi, but he did not win popularity among his people. Yu's son Qi was voted king by various dukes. Start of a hereditary system of the royal family.
Xia Tai Kang (2,188 - 2,159 B.C.)
Established his kingdom at Zhen Xun.
Xia Zhong Kang (2,159 - 2,146 B.C.)
Made his son Duke of Deng.
Xia Xiang (2,146 - 2,079 B.C.)
Moved his kingdom to Shang. Han Zu assassinated the king.
Xia Shao Kang(2,079 - 2,057 B.C.)
Executed Han Zu and took over the throne. Awarded the kingdom of Zeng to his youngest son Qu Lia.
Xia Zhu(2,057 - 2,040 B.C.)
Xia Huai(2,040 - 2,014 B.C.)
Xia Man(2,014 - 1,996 B.C.)
Xia Xie(1,996 - 1,980 B.C.)
Xia Bu Jiang(1,980 - 1,921 B.C.)
Xia Pian(1,921 - 1,900 B.C.)
Watch YouTube video On "The Origin of The Surname Chung/Zeng"
