Wang Wujun
It is not known when Wang Tingcou was born. His ancestors were of the Huigu Abusi () tribe, which had been submissive to the Tang Dynasty Protectorate General to Pacify the East. His great-grandfather Wugezhi () came to serve under Li Baochen the military governor ("Jiedushi") of Chengde and Li Baochen's son Li Weiyue. After Li Weiyue's death, Li Weiyue's successor Wang Wujun, because of Wugezhi's bravery in battle, adopted Wugezhi as a son, and thus Wugezhi took on the surname of Wang. Both Wang Tingcou's grandfather Wang Modahuo () and father Wang Shengchao () continued to serve under Wang Wujun's family as cavalry officers. Wang Tingcou himself was said to be brave and quiet, but decisive.