Trace the Roots of Every Chinese Family Name

The Guan surname, ranking 140th in China, originates from the Zhou Dynasty with three main theories: descent from King Wen or King Mu, or ethnic assimilation. Its founding figure is Guan Zhong, a renowned Spring and Autumn period statesman. The name is prevalent in Shandong and Jiangsu, accounting for 63% of its bearers.

Ranked #164

The Lu Clan, a traditional Chinese surname ranking 55th with ~4.4 million people, originated from the Jiang Clan, ancient states, and Xianbei tribes. It is concentrated in Guangxi and Guangdong, with notable members including Emperor Lu Fang and Tang poet Lu Lun.

Ranked #165

The Mo surname, pronounced "mò", originates from official titles and ancestral clans in ancient Chu, with key settlements in Ju Lu, Jiang Ling, and He Jian commanderies. Notable figures include Song dynasty official Mo Cong and Ming scholar-artist Mo Cang.

Ranked #166

The Jing surname, with ancient multi-ethnic origins, primarily derives from the Ji and Ying clans. Its main ancestral commanderies are Pingyang (Linfen, Shanxi) and Xingyang (Zhengzhou, Henan). Historically not a large clan, it spread nationwide from its northern heartland after the Song dynasty, and remains widely distributed today.

Ranked #167

The Fang surname, originating from Yao's grandson Fang Ling and the Xianbei ethnic group, is prominent in Henan, Zhejiang, and Shandong. Its ancestral hub is Qinghe, with the renowned Tang minister Fang Xuanling as a key historical figure.

Ranked #168

The Qiu surname, of Chinese origin, has multiple proposed origins including name changes, fiefs, and official titles. Its ancestor is Qiu Hou from the Spring and Autumn Period. The clan is not a top-100 surname in China, with key families from the Bohai region and a concentration of descendants in Zhejiang and Jiangsu provinces.

Ranked #169

The Miao clan, originating from Duke Mu of Qin's posthumous title during the Spring and Autumn period, is an ancient lineage with roots in Shandong. Its descendants, including the Ming Dynasty's Miao Changqi, have a notable historical presence.

Ranked #170

The Gan surname, pronounced "gān", originates from Henan, China, with roots tracing back to ancient officials, place names, or Xianbei tribal adoption. The clan, linked to the Han tribe, migrated south, skilled in shield-making and famed for sword production, with historical figures like Jin Dynasty historian Gan Bao.

Ranked #171

The Xie clan, originating from Shanxi's Xie County, traces its surname to three sources: the Ji surname, ancient place names, and simplified compound surnames. It is a less common surname, with notable historical figures including Ming scholar Xie Jin and Southern Ming official Xie Xuelong.

Ranked #172

The Ying clan, a Chinese surname pronounced "yīng", has about 300,000 people, ranking 247th. It originates from a Zhou dynasty fiefdom, official titles, or ethnic Hanization, and is concentrated in Zhejiang, Anhui, and Jiangxi, with historical figures like Ying Shao and Ying De Lian.

Ranked #173

The Zong clan, with origins in ancient official posts and surnames like Zi and Yan, historically settled across Shaanxi, Shanxi, Henan, and beyond. It spread nationwide after the Tang Dynasty, producing notable figures in politics, military, and arts throughout Chinese history.

Ranked #174

The Xuan surname, originating from posthumous titles of ancient rulers like King Xuan of Zhou and Duke Xuan of Song, historically flourished in Henan and Shaanxi. It later spread to southeastern coastal regions, producing notable figures such as Tang Dynasty top scholar Xuan Zhenzhi.

Ranked #175

The Ding clan, China's 48th most common surname with over 4.7 million people, originates from four main sources and is concentrated in Henan and Shandong. Its population grew nearly 12-fold over 600 years, primarily in Jiangsu, Hubei, Anhui, and Henan.

Ranked #176

The surname Ben, pronounced "bēn", has diverse origins from ancient Chinese nobility, tribes, and places, notably the Spring and Autumn period states of Lu and Jin. It is uncommon in China, historically concentrated in Xuancheng, Anhui, with figures like Han General Ben He achieving prominence.

Ranked #177

The Deng surname, pronounced "dèng", originated in Henan, China, with roots tracing back to ancient fiefs. It spread significantly during the Eastern Jin Dynasty, migrating south to provinces like Hunan, Jiangxi, and Fujian, and later to Taiwan and overseas. Historically prominent, the family produced notable figures including modern leader Deng Xiaoping.

Ranked #178

The Yu surname, pronounced yù, originates from ancient states or officials in the Spring and Autumn period. It is now relatively rare but found in central Henan, Shandong, Hebei, and other Chinese regions, with notable bearer Yu Dafu, a renowned modern Chinese writer.

Ranked #179

The Shan surname, with 680,000 people ranking 177th in China, originates from a Zhou Dynasty fiefdom and ethnic minority name conversions. Historically centered in Henan, its population is now primarily distributed in Jiangsu, Shandong, Anhui, and Jilin.

Ranked #180

The Hang surname, pronounced "háng", originates from Yuhang, Zhejiang and Danyang (Xuancheng, Anhui). It derives from ancient fiefs, either from Kang family descendants or Yu the Great's post-flood land grant. Ancestor Hang Xu Bo settled in Danyang, with notable descendant Qing scholar Hang Shijun.

Ranked #181

The Hong surname, China's 99th most common with over 2 million people, originates from ancient figures and states. Its population, concentrated in Guangdong, Taiwan, and along the Yangtze River, grew over 11-fold in 600 years. Notable bearers include Hong Xiuquan, leader of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom.

Ranked #182

The Bao surname, pronounced "bāo", has ancient origins from figures like Taihao and Shen Baoxu, with branches in Danyang and Shangdang. It includes a Mongolian lineage from Genghis Khan. The clan is renowned for the incorruptible Song official Bao Zheng, after whom hall names were created, and other notable figures like the loyal general Bao Xu.

Ranked #183