The surname Cheng is not a common one in China, but it is also one of the older surnames in China. It ranks 116th in the "Hundred Family Surnames."

Some famous people with the surname Cheng in history

Cheng Gong: A scholar of the Han Dynasty, who concealed his name and often recited classics, without seeking worldly benefits. He was called Cheng Gong by the people. When Emperor Cheng of Han went out on a tour, he met Cheng Gong, who did not bow to him. The emperor said, "I can make people rich and powerful, and I can kill them. Why are you defying me?" Cheng Gong replied, "Your Majesty can make people powerful, but I will not be your official; Your Majesty can make people rich, but I will not accept your salary; Your Majesty can kill people, but I will not break your laws." The emperor could not refute him, so he sent two court officials to receive the "Political Affairs" 12 chapters.

Cheng Zun: His courtesy name was Yi Shu, from Rang (now Dengzhou City, Henan Province). He passed the imperial examination in the Yuan Tong period and was appointed as a historian at the Hanlin Academy. He was later appointed as an inspector. That year, he made over 70 statements and reports, exposing many current problems, which made the ruling officials resentful. He was then transferred to be an external officer of the Shaanxi provincial government and eventually rose to the position of Left Chancellor of the Central Secretariat. As an official, he was upright and had good achievements wherever he served. Later, he was falsely accused of accepting bribes by those in power and was beaten to death, and people throughout the court and the country protested for his innocence.

Cheng Wujie: A medical expert of the Jin Dynasty. He was from Liao She (now Linyi City, Shandong Province). He was born around the Jia You and Zhi Ping periods of the Northern Song Dynasty. After Liao She was occupied by the Jin troops, he became a Jin subject. Born into a family of physicians, he studied medicine from a young age. He conducted research on ancient classics such as the "Nei Jing," "Nan Jing," and "Shanghan Lun," especially showing great respect for the "Shanghan Lun." He spent decades studying this book, using the theories of the "Nei Jing" and "Nan Jing" as the basis, and provided a comprehensive commentary, writing the "Commentary on the Shanghan Lun" in 10 volumes, which is the earliest existing complete commentary on the "Shanghan Lun," greatly influencing later generations. He also wrote "Explanations of the Shanghan Lun," combining classical works with personal insights, playing an important role in guiding later students.

Cheng Lian: A famous zither master during the Spring and Autumn period. One of his most outstanding disciples was Bo Ya, who became a world-renowned zither player after three years of study under Cheng Lian.

Cheng Dechen was the most renowned. His courtesy name was Zi Yu. He was a famous general of the State of Chu during the Spring and Autumn period, serving as the Chief Minister (equivalent to Prime Minister). During the battle between Jin and Chu at Chengpu, Duke Wen of Jin, hearing of his reputation, ordered his army to "retreat three times." Unfortunately, he later committed suicide by drawing his sword after a military defeat. Another famous general of the Cheng clan was Cheng Dan, a famous general of the Han Dynasty, who was enfeoffed as the King of Xiangyi due to his remarkable military achievements.

Cheng Gong Sui was a literary figure of the Western Jin Dynasty, who loved music and was skilled in poetry and prose, authoring the "Collection of Cheng Zi An." Cheng Xuanying of the Tang Dynasty was a famous Daoist scholar, known as "the Master of Xihua," who annotated the "Zhuangzi" (known as "The True Commentary on the Southern Classic") and also wrote "Interpretation of the Dao De Jing."

In the Song Dynasty, the famous medical expert Cheng Wujie deeply studied the "Shanghan Lun" by Zhang Zhongjing of the Han Dynasty, authoring works such as "Commentary on the Shanghan Lun" and "Ming Lilun."

Cheng Zhaocai (1874-1929): The founder of Peking Opera. His art name was Donglaishun, and he was from Lantang County, Hebei Province. He promoted Peking Opera, Hebei Bangzi, and Peking opera in the northern region of China. He made significant contributions to the development of Peking Opera, creating and adapting more than 100 scripts. People built a statue of him in his hometown and established the Cheng Zhaocai Memorial Hall.

Cheng She Wo: He once worked as an editor for the Shanghai "Da Gong Bao" and founded the "Shijie Ribao." Later, he established the World News Specialized School in Taipei and served as its principal. Cheng Fangwu was a well-known theorist of the Communist Party, a leading figure of the early Creation Society, and was on par with Guo Moruo at that time.

Famous male stars with the surname Cheng

Cheng Yin, Cheng Kang, Cheng Dongri, Jackie Chan, Cheng Kui'an, Cheng Taishen, Cheng Jun, etc.

Famous female stars with the surname Cheng

Cheng Yurye, Cheng Hyun-ae, etc.