Chung

This ancient Chinese name, which is Anglicized in the spellings of Chung, Change, Ching and possibly Shenge, is one of a wide group which owe their origins to the sentimental landscape of flora and fauna. In this case, the name translates literally as "hanging bell", referring to the bell-like flowers of plants such as fuchsia, rather than to any associations with bell founding or bell ringing. This type of abstract surname form is also recorded in Germany, examples being Schoenbach (lovely stream) and Schonblum (lovely flower). Unfortunately, early "Romanized" recordings of the original Chinese are rare, although a Christophr Ching is recorded in London as early as December 5th 1619. We feel that this is a variant spelling of the English "Chinn". Proven recordings include Wah Chung, a witness at the baptism of his daughter, Fung-Che Chung, at Hong Kong, on September 28th 1950. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Tong Wong Chung, which was dated October 20th 1889, a witness at Santa Barbara Church, California, America, during the reign of President Benjamin Harrison of America, 1889 - 1893. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.