Shang Family History

Chinese:: Mandarin form of the surname 商: (i) from Shang (商) the name of a dynasty in Chinese history (1600–1046 BC). In 1600 BC Cheng Tang defeated the last king of Xia dynasty (2070–1600 BC) and established the Shang dynasty. Until 1046 BC the regime was overthrown by King Wu of Zhou (c. 1087–1043 BC) and the Western Zhou dynasty (1046–771 BC) was founded. Some descendants of the royal family in the Shang dynasty then adopted 商 as their surname. (ii) from the placename Shang (商) the name of a fief (located in Xichuan in Henan province) that was granted to Shang Yang (商鞅) a famous official in the state of Qin during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC). (iii) from the personal name of Shang Rong (商容) an official who lived during the reign of Zhou the last king of the Shang dynasty (1600–1046 BC).

Mandarin form of the surname 尚 meaning ‘esteem’ in Chinese: (i) from Shang (尚) personal name of Jiang Shang (姜尚) or Shang Fu (尚父) known as Jiang Ziya or Jiang Tai Gong (c. 11th century BC) a revered official during the Western Zhou dynasty (1046–771 BC) and also the ancestor of the kings of the state of Qi (located in present-day Shandong province). He helped King Wu of Zhou (c. 1087–1043 BC) overthrow the Shang dynasty (1600–1046 BC) and made great contributions to the establishment of the Western Zhou dynasty (1046–771 BC). Some of his descendants inherited 尚 his personal name as their surname.

(ii) from the personal name of Shang Kegu (尚可孤) who was from the Xianbei ethnic group in northern China during the Tang dynasty (618–907 AD). Chinese: Mandarin form of the surname 上 meaning ‘above’ or ‘up’ in Chinese: said to be traced back to Shang Zhideng (上之登) a carriage driver in the state of Qi during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC).