Our answer
The ‘bow’ surname, No. 3 in China 张
Traditional form 張; about 87.5 million people in mainland China in 2007
The short answer
Zhang (张, traditional 張, Zhāng) is a Chinese surname whose character combines ‘bow’ and ‘long’ and originally meant to stretch or open out, like drawing a bow. It is the third most common surname in China (Ministry of Public Security, 2019), with about 87.50 million people in 2007. Abroad it is often Chang or Cheung.
| In Chinese | 张 (simplified) / 張 (traditional) |
|---|---|
| Pinyin | Zhāng (first, high level tone) |
| Rank in China (2019) | No. 3 of the 100 most common surnames |
| Other spellings | Chang (Taiwan, Korea, older Wade–Giles), Cheung (Hong Kong), Cheong, Chong, Teo or Teoh (Southeast Asia), Trương (Vietnam), Jang (Korea) |
| Meaning of the character | 弓 ‘bow’ + 长 ‘long’: to stretch or open out, like drawing a bow |
| Largest in | Shanghai, the only provincial-level region where it is No. 1 (2019) |
| Population | About 87.50 million in mainland China, 6.83% of the population (2007) |
Origins of the Zhang surname
The character 張 is made of 弓 (gōng), bow, and 長 (cháng), long. Its original sense was to stretch or open out, as you do when you draw a bow, and the name is often read as ‘archer’.
Tradition says the first Zhang was Hui, a grandson of the legendary Yellow Emperor, who is credited with inventing the bow and arrow and was given the surname for it. Other Zhang lines trace their ancestry to Xie Zhang, a noble of the state of Jin in the Spring and Autumn period, and some families changed to Zhang from other surnames.
Like Wang and Li, then, Zhang is not one family but many. See our guide to Chinese surnames for how the big names compare.[2]
How Zhang is spelled around the world
Zhang has more overseas spellings than most surnames, because its sound varies a great deal between Chinese dialects.[1][2]
| Spelling | Where | Language or dialect |
|---|---|---|
| Zhang | Mainland China | Mandarin (pinyin) |
| Chang | Taiwan, Korea, older Western usage | Mandarin (Wade–Giles); Korean |
| Cheung | Hong Kong, Macau | Cantonese |
| Cheong | Macau, Malaysia | Cantonese, Hakka, Gan |
| Chong | Malaysia and Hakka communities | Hakka |
| Teo, Teoh | Singapore, Malaysia | Hokkien, Teochew |
| Tiong, Diong | The Philippines, Fuzhou communities | Eastern Min |
| Tjang, Tjong | Indonesia | Older Indonesian spellings |
| Trương | Vietnam | Vietnamese |
| Jang | Korea | Korean (장) |
Where Zhang is most common
Zhang is third nationally, yet in the Ministry of Public Security’s 2019 report it was the largest surname in only one provincial-level region: Shanghai.
A 2013 study by the Fuxi Institution put Zhang at 6.74% of the population, about 89.6 million people, and found the largest number in Henan. In 2020 the top five surnames, Wang, Li, Zhang, Liu and Chen, together covered 30.8% of China’s registered population.
In Taiwan, where it is usually spelled Chang, it is the fourth most common surname, at 5.26% of the population.[1][2][3][4]
Famous people named Zhang
| Name | Chinese | Known for |
|---|---|---|
| Zhang Heng | 张衡 | Eastern Han astronomer who presented a seismoscope in 132 |
| Zhang Fei | 张飞 | General of the Three Kingdoms period |
| Zhang Yimou | 张艺谋 | Film director (Red Sorghum, Hero) and director of the 2008 Beijing Olympics ceremonies |
| Eileen Chang (Zhang Ailing) | 张爱玲 | Writer of Love in a Fallen City and Lust, Caution |
| Jacky Cheung | 张学友 | Hong Kong singer and actor, one of the Four Heavenly Kings of Cantopop |
Questions readers ask
What does the Zhang surname mean?
The character 張 combines ‘bow’ and ‘long’ and originally meant to stretch or open out, as when drawing a bow. Legend links it to Hui, said to have invented the bow and arrow.
Is Zhang a Chinese last name?
Yes. It is the third most common surname in mainland China (Ministry of Public Security, 2019), after Wang and Li.
How common is Zhang in China?
A 2007 count gave about 87.50 million people, 6.83% of the mainland population; a 2013 study gave about 89.6 million.
How do you pronounce Zhang?
Zhāng is said with a high, level tone. The ‘zh’ is close to the ‘j’ in ‘jam’, and ‘ang’ sounds roughly like ‘ahng’.
Is Chang the same as Zhang?
Usually. Chang is the older Wade–Giles spelling of 张, still used in Taiwan and by many families abroad. In Korea, 張 is spelled Jang or Chang.
Is Cheung a Chinese surname?
Yes. Cheung is the Cantonese spelling of 张 (Zhang), used in Hong Kong and Macau. Cheong and Chong are related spellings in Malaysia and Macau.
Is Teo the same as Zhang?
Teo and Teoh are Hokkien and Teochew spellings of 张, common in Singapore and Malaysia.
Sources
- Wikipedia, List of common Chinese surnames · accessed 1 Nov 2026
- Wikipedia, Zhang (surname) · accessed 1 Nov 2026
- The Paper (澎湃新闻), Ministry of Public Security 2019 surname report · accessed 1 Nov 2026
- The Paper (澎湃新闻), Ministry of Public Security 2020 names report · accessed 1 Nov 2026
- Wikipedia, Zhang Heng · accessed 1 Nov 2026
- Wikipedia, Zhang Yimou · accessed 1 Nov 2026
- Wikipedia, Eileen Chang · accessed 1 Nov 2026
- Wikipedia, Jacky Cheung · accessed 1 Nov 2026
- Wikipedia, Zhang Ziyi · accessed 1 Nov 2026
Update log. 1 November 2026 — reviewed. Next review due 1 February 2027. Suggest a correction