Xiang (surname) should not be confused with Xiang (surname 項).
Xiang is the pinyin romanization of the Chinese surnames: Xiàng (;) and Xiāng . It means “to go forward”
It originated from several sources. First, from Xiang, an ancient state (located in Shandong province), destroyed in the early Springand Autumn period.[1] Secondly from Xiang, an ancient state located in Henan province, which was destroyed in the late Western Zhou dynasty. Thirdly from the first character of the personal name Xiang Fu (向父), the style name of Bi, son of the Duke Huan in the state of Song.