Meaning

1. vast, immense
2. flood
   Flood
   A flood is an overflow of an expanse of water that submerges land. The EU Floods directive defines a flood as a temporary covering by water of land not normally covered by water...
   
   , deluge
3. fortuity, fortune
4. famous, well-known

Origin

The origin of Hong can be traced back to the surname Jiang. In ancient China, a tribe known as Gong Gong Shi (the union, combined labor) were the descendents of Yan Di (Shen Nong Shi), and bore the last name Jiang. They resided on the west-coast of the Yellow River, and were experts in irrigation and flood control. The Gong Gong Shi were thus made Officials of Irrigation and were hailed as the 'gods of water'. After Huang Di seized power from Yan Di, the descendents of the latter were often oppressed, leading to the discontent of the Gong Gong Shi, who eventually rebelled against the government during the reign of Di Gao. Di Ku (descendent of Huang Di) gathered his army against the rebellion, among them was the descendents of Sui Ren Shi who invented fire. The 'gods of fire' thus fought against the 'gods of water' at the Battle of Bei Zhou Shan with the Gong Gong Shi being defeated badly. After the rebellion was suppressed, the Gong Gong Shi were given back their old position. However, during the reign of Yao Di, the Gong Gong Shi got themselves into trouble again by not cooperating with the government, leading to widespread of flooding. Yao led his army and defeated the Gong Gong Shi again. Due to past experience, Yao did not spare the rebellion and exiled the Gong Gong Shi to JiangNan. Due to their affiliation with water, their descendents added the water radical to the Chinese character of Gong and called themselves the Hongs.

List

Prominent Chinese with this family name:

• Hong Chengchou
  Hong Chengchou
  Hong Chengchou or Hung Cheng-chou was a Military commander from Fujian at the end of the Ming Dynasty.-Biography:...
  
  
• Hong Xiuquan
  Hong Xiuquan
  Hong Xiuquan , born Hong Renkun, style name Huoxiu , was a Hakka Chinese who led the Taiping Rebellion against the Qing Dynasty, establishing the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom over varying portions of southern China, with himself as the "Heavenly King" and self-proclaimed brother of Jesus Christ.-Early...
  
  
• Sammo Hung
  Sammo Hung
  Sammo Hung is a Hong Kong actor, martial artist, film producer and director, known for his work in many martial arts films and Hong Kong action cinema...
  
  
• Ken Hung
  Ken Hung
  Ken Hung Cheuk Lap is a Hong Kong cantopop singer. He started his career after earning a second place in the EEG Singing Contest . During 2007, he went to help in the office for about 3–4 months cutting newspapers because Mani said he was too shy. Then he finally started recording songs...