Origins of the Chang (常) surname
Chinese sources record 6 separate lines of origin for the Chang (常) surname, and name 1 commandery of origin (junwang). Each is summarised below with its source.
Originated from the Ji (姬) surname
Among the descendants of Wei Kangshu (卫康叔), the younger brother of King Wu of Zhou (周武王), one branch was enfeoffed at Chang (常, present-day southeast of Tengzhou City (滕州市), Shandong Province), and adopted the name of their fief, Chang, as their surname.
Originated from ministers of the Yellow Emperor (Huangdi)
During the era of the Yellow Emperor (Huangdi) in antiquity, there were ministers Chang Yi (常仪) and Chang Xian (常先), who served as Grand Minister of Works (Da Sikong); their descendants adopted their ancestors’ given names as their surname, forming the Henan (河南) Chang (常) lineage.
Originated from the ruling clan of the state of Wu
During the Spring and Autumn period, the King of Wu enfeoffed a branch of his royal family at Chang (常, present-day Changzhou City (常州) area, Jiangsu Province); their descendants adopted the name of their fief, Chang, as their surname, forming the Jiangsu (江苏) Chang (常) lineage.
Originated from the ruling clan of the state of Chu
Among the royal clan of the state of Chu, there was a person named Zi Chang (子常); his descendants adopted his courtesy name as their surname and changed to the surname Chang (常).
Surname change due to taboo avoidance
In the Han dynasty, there originally existed the surname Heng (恒); to avoid the personal name Liu Heng (刘恒) of Emperor Wen of Han, the entire Heng (恒) lineage collectively changed their surname to Chang (常).
Incorporation of ethnic minorities
The Chang (常) surname is also found among ethnic minorities including the Mongols, Manchus, and Hui; this constitutes one source of the Chang (常) surname.
Commanderies of origin (junwang)
- Pingyuan (平原)