Origins of the Leng (冷) surname
Chinese sources record 8 separate lines of origin for the Leng (冷) surname, and name 3 commanderies of origin (junwang). Each is summarised below with its source.
Descended from Ling Lun (Linglun), the music official of the Yellow Emperor
A portion of the Leng (冷) surname originates from Ling Lun (泠伦), the music official during the reign of the Yellow Emperor (Huangdi); later generations, due to phonetic similarity or scribal errors, wrote ‘Ling’ (泠) as ‘Leng’ (冷), thereby adopting the surname Leng.
Descended from the Qiang (Qiang) ethnic group
Some Leng (冷) surnames originate from the Qiang (羌) ethnic group; this group gradually sinicized after entering the Central Plains during the Song (Song) dynasty and adopted the Leng (冷) surname.
Descended from the Huite (Huite) tribe of the Mongol (Mongol) ethnic group
Some Leng (冷) surnames originate from the Huite (辉特) tribe of the Mongol (蒙古) ethnic group; during ethnic integration, they adopted the Han Chinese surname Leng (冷).
Descended from the Yi (Yi) ethnic group
Some Leng (冷) surnames originate from the Yi (彝) ethnic group, forming a branch of the surname during the sinicization process of ethnic minorities.
Descended from the Tujia (Tujia) ethnic group
Some Leng (冷) surnames originate from the Tujia (土家族) ethnic group, adopting the Leng (冷) surname during ethnic interaction and integration.
Descended from the Hui (Hui) ethnic group
The Hui (回) ethnic group also includes the Leng (冷) surname, which is one of the Han Chinese surnames adopted by this ethnic group.
Descended from the Manchu (Manchu) ethnic group
Some Leng (冷) surnames originate from the Manchu (满族) ethnic group, adopting the Leng (冷) surname during ethnic integration in the Qing (Qing) dynasty and thereafter.
Descended from the Ji (姬) surname, descendants of Kangshu (Kangshu) of the State of Wei (Wei)
Another branch of the Leng (冷) surname originates from the Ji (姬) surname, being descendants of Kangshu (康叔), the founding ruler of the State of Wei (卫国) during the Spring and Autumn (Chunqiu) period; their ancestors were enfeoffed at the area of Lingshui (冷水), and thus adopted the place name as their clan name.
Commanderies of origin (junwang)
- Jingzhao (京兆)
- Xincai (新蔡)
- Lin'an (临安)