Zeng

Zeng is a Chinese family name. In Cantonese, it is Tsang; In Wade–Giles, such as those in Taiwan, Tseng or Tzeng; in Malaysia and Singapore, Tsen, Chen or Cheng; in the Philippines, Chan; in Indonesia, Tjan; in Vietnam, Tăng. The surname Zeng is the 32nd most common surname in Mainland China as of 2019. It is the 16th most common surname in Taiwan. It meant "high" or "add" in ancient Chinese. Zeng was listed 385th on the Hundred Family Surnames.

Zeng or von Zeng is also a German family name with other origins f.e. the nobles De Zeng or von Zenge.

Origin
The surname originates from an ancient state located in present-day Cangshan County (now Lanling County) in Shandong province, which was granted to Qu Lie, son of the emperor Shao Kang in the Xia dynasty. The state was annexed by Ju (located mainly in present-day Shandong province) in 567 BC. The crown prince of the state, Wu, fled to Lu. He later dropped the radical in the character and adopted 曾 as his surname.

Generation Character
The Generation Character usually refers to the middle Character of the Chinese Name of a Zeng, and is used to determine the generation and clan a Zeng belongs to.

Generation Character Order
The Generation Character for Zeng from the 63rd Generation to the 97th Generation are as follows:

63rd to 67th Generation (Given in Year 1400)
Hong, Wen, Zhen, Shang and Yan

68th to 77th Generation (Set in Year 1628)
Xing, Yu, Chuan, Ji, Guang, Zhao, Xian, Qing, Fan and Xiang

78th to 87th Generation (Set in Year 1863)
Ling, De, Wei, Chui, You, Qin, Shao, Nian, Xian and Yang

88th to 97th Generation (Set in Year 1870)
Jian, Dao, Dun, An, Ding, Mao, Xiu, Zhao, Yi, Zhang, Yi, Wen, Huan, Jing, Rui, Yong, Xi, Shi, Xu, Chang

Notable people

 * Zengzi, philosopher and disciple of Confucius
 * Zeng Shan, Chinese politician, father of Zeng Qinghong
 * Zeng Qinghong, Chinese politician, former politburo standing committee member, Vice President 2003–2008
 * Alice Tzeng, Taiwanese film and television actress
 * Bowie Tsang, Taiwanese television host, singer, actress, and writer
 * Derek Tsang, Hong Kong film director and actor
 * Donald Tsang, Hong Kong politician, chief executive 2005–2012
 * Edward Tsang, British professor of computer science
 * Eric Tsang, Hong Kong actor and director
 * Jasper Tsang, Hong Kong politician, President of the Legislative Council 2008–2016
 * Sam Tseng, Taiwanese comedian and television host-actor
 * Yani Tseng, Taiwanese professional golfer
 * Tsang Tsou-choi, Hong Kong graffiti artist known as the Kowloon Emperor
 * Tsang Yam-pui, Hong Kong Police officer, Commissioner of Police 2001–2003
 * Tseng Chang, Chinese American actor
 * Tseng Chung-ming, Deputy Minister of Health and Welfare of the Republic of China (2013–2015)
 * Tseng Jen-Ho, Taiwanese baseball player
 * Tseng Jing-ling, Minister of Veterans Affairs Commission of the Republic of China (2009–2013)
 * Tseng Ming-chung, Chairperson of the Financial Supervisory Commission of the Republic of China (2013–2016)
 * Tseng Shu-cheng, Deputy Mayor of Tainan (2015–2016)
 * Tseng Yung-chuan, Vice President of the Legislative Yuan (2008–2012)
 * Tseng Yung-fu, Minister of Justice of the Republic of China (2010–2013)
 * Zeng Cheng, China national football team goalkeeper
 * Zeng Chengwei
 * Zeng Fanren
 * Zeng Fanzhi
 * Zeng Gong
 * Zeng Guofan
 * Zeng Guoyuan (1953 – 2019); Singaporean businessman and perennial candidate
 * Zeng Jianhang (born 1998), Chinese hurdler
 * Zeng Jinlian
 * Zeng Jing
 * Zeng Junchen, "King of Opium"
 * Zeng Liansong
 * Chen Lip Keong (曾立强; 1948–2023), Malaysian businessman and entrepreneur
 * Ovid Tzeng, Minister of Council of Cultural Affairs of the Republic of China (2011–2012)
 * Zeng Peiyan
 * Zeng Qiliang, Chinese breaststroke swimmer
 * Zeng Wenhui (born 2005), Chinese skateboarder
 * Zeng Xian, Ming dynasty general
 * Zeng Xianyi
 * Zeng Xueming (Tăng Tuyết Minh), undisclosed wife of Ho Chi Minh
 * Zeng Yanfen, Chinese singer and actress, member of SNH48
 * Zeng Yi (painter), Chinese oil painter
 * Zeng Meihuizi, Chinese film actress and director
 * Zeng Yike, Chinese singer
 * Zhe Zeng, Chinese American banker, 9/11 victim