The 宁 surname

Ning (宁) is one of the surnames of China. The surname 宁 (Ning) in general use in mainland China today in fact covers two surnames of different origin, written 甯 and 寧, of which 寧 is rarer than 甯.^[1][2] Which of the two the Ning of Taishan originally belonged to is yet to be verified.

Origin of the surname[edit]

The 甯 surname comes from the Ji (姬) surname, descending from Kangshu of Wei (卫康叔). In the Spring and Autumn period, Jiwei (季亹), a son of Duke Wu of Wei (卫武公), was enfeoffed at the town of Ning (甯邑, today's Huojia, Henan), and his descendants took the name of the town as their surname and were for generations a ministerial family of Wei. Other origins include descendants of a Mongol general of the Yuan, and followers of the Prince of Ning (宁王) of the Ming who changed their surname. The hall names of the 甯 surname include Qijun Hall (齐郡堂).^[1]

The 寧 surname was originally distinct from 甯. In the Han there was Ning Cheng (寧成); one branch descends from Mangge Tiemu'er (忙哥帖木儿), a Mongol general of the Yuan who took part in the southern campaigns, whose family lived for generations in Changde (常德), Hunan, and moved at the end of the Yuan and the beginning of the Ming to Ningxiang (宁乡), Changsha (长沙) and other places.^[2]

Coming to Taishan[edit]

How the Ning came to Taishan and where they live is yet to be added. Family members who know more are welcome to edit this article.