Feng Family History

Chinese: Mandarin form of the surname 馮 meaning ‘gallop’ or ‘wade’ in Chinese: (i) from the first element of the personal name Feng Jian Zi (馮簡子) an official in the state of Zheng (located in part of present-day Shaanxi and Henan province) during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC). (ii) from the first element of the placename Feng Cheng (馮城 Feng City) the name of a fief (in present-day Xingyang in Henan province) granted to one of the grandsons of Bi Wan known as Han Wan or Han Wuzi, a politician in the state of Jin during the Spring and Autumn Period (770–476 BC) also the ancestor of bearers of the surname 韩 (see Han).

Mandarin form of the surname 封 meaning ‘confer something (a title, land, or the like) upon somebody by royal command’ in ancient Chinese: (i) shortened form of Feng Fu (封父) an ancient state (located in present-day Fengqiu in Henan province) during the Xia dynasty (2070–1600 BC) which was annexed during the Western Zhou dynasty (1046–771 BC). (ii) adopted as a surname by members of the Shi Ben (是賁) family from the Xianbei ethnic group during the Northern Wei Dynasty (386–534 AD).

Mandarin form of the surname 豐 meaning ‘abundant’ or ‘great’ in Chinese: from the personal name Feng (豐) style name of a prince, one of the sons of Duke Mu of Zheng (ruler of the state of Zheng 648–606 BC). Mandarin form of the surname 酆: habitational name from the placename Feng (酆) the name of a fief (in present-day Huxian in Shaanxi province) granted to the 17th son of the virtuous King Wen of Zhou (1152–1056 BC).

Mandarin form of the surname 風 meaning ‘wind’ in Chinese, an ancient surname possibly traced back to the Xia dynasty (2070–1600 BC). Mandarin form of the surname 鳳 meaning ‘phoenix’ in Chinese: possibly from the name of an official post prior to the Xia dynasty (2070–1600 BC) which was said to be derived from the name of a kind of bird.

Mandarin form of the surname 奉 originally meaning ‘plants growing up to their utmost heights’: from the first element of Feng Chun (奉春) title of Lou Jing, an official during the reign of the Emperor Gaozu of Han (256–195 BC).