Origins of the Sang (桑) surname
Chinese sources record 8 separate lines of origin for the Sang (桑) surname, and name 2 commanderies of origin (junwang). Each is summarised below with its source.
Originated from the Ying (嬴) surname
During the Spring and Autumn period, Gongsun Zhi (公孙枝), a member of the royal clan of the State of Qin (秦国), styled himself Zisang (子桑); his descendants adopted his style name as their surname, forming the Sang (桑) surname.
Originated from the place name Qiongsang (穷桑)
In antiquity, Shaohao (少昊) established his capital at Qiongsang (穷桑) (northeast of present-day Qufu (曲阜), Shandong Province); his descendants adopted the place name as their surname, later simplifying it to Sang (桑).
Originated from the wife’s clan of Shennong (神农)氏
Shennong (神农) married a daughter of the Chengsang (承桑) clan (also known as the Sangshui (桑水) clan); his descendants adopted the name of their ancestor’s wife’s clan as their surname, forming the Sang (桑) surname.
Originated from the Ji (己) surname, descendants of Shaohao (少昊)
Shaohao (少昊) was styled Qiongsangshi (穷桑氏); his descendants adopted his residential title as their surname, later abbreviating it to Sang (桑).
Originated from the ancient Sang State (桑国) of the Si (姒) surname
After the ancient Sang State (Sanggan State, 桑干国), located in present-day Lingxian (陵县), Shandong Province, was destroyed during the Warring States period, members of its royal family and populace adopted the state’s name as their surname, forming the Sang (桑) surname.
Originated from the Mongol ethnic group’s Sangguo’er (桑果尔) clan
The Mongol Sangguo’er (桑果尔) clan (also known as Suoluoga’er (索罗噶尔) clan), historically residing in Chahar (察哈尔), largely adopted the Han Chinese surname Sang (桑) during the mid-Qing dynasty.
Originated from multiple Manchu surnames
During the Qing dynasty, several Manchu clans—including Wukuli (乌库理), Kuaoerda (夸尔达), Samalji (萨玛尔吉), Selengji (塞楞吉), and Shangjia (商佳)—gradually adopted the Han Chinese surname Sang (桑).
Originated from the Yi ethnic group’s Shisang (食桑) clan
In the Ming dynasty, during the Tugui Liufu (改土归流) administrative reform, the chieftain of the ancient Yi ethnic group’s Shisang (食桑) tribal community led his people in adopting the Han Chinese surname Sang (桑).
Commanderies of origin (junwang)
- Henan Commandery (河南郡)
- Liyang Commandery (黎阳郡)