Trace the Roots of Every Chinese Family Name

The Nài surname, with ancient origins from figures like Shang Tang and Nài Zhan, is multi-ethnic and derived from artifacts, places, and Persian roots. Historically centered in Dian Commandery and Dali, it remains rare in China, with modern clusters in Jiangsu, Yunnan, and Zhejiang, and hall names like Gu Dian Tang and Er Hai Tang.

Ranked #415

The Bo surname, pronounced "bó," is an ancient Chinese family name with multiple origins, including from figures like Bo Yi, official titles, and ethnic assimilation. It is historically associated with Hedong Commandery and has a relatively small population. Notable bearers include the musician Bo Ya and the horse expert Bo Le.

Ranked #416

The Shang clan, with origins in the Ji surname from the Spring and Autumn Period, Tangut Western Xia, and Yi people, primarily hails from Wu Jun (modern Suzhou to Hangzhou). It assimilated into Han culture, became prominent in Jiangnan, and is ranked outside the top 300 surnames in China.

Ranked #417

The Mo surname, pronounced mò, is an ancient Han Chinese name with origins tracing back to figures like Mo Ru and the Mo Tai family. It originated in Liangjun and has multiple sources, including from the Jiang and Zi surnames, as well as sinicized ethnic groups. Notable bearers include the philosopher Mozi. It is not among the top surnames in China or Taiwan.

Ranked #418

The Ha surname is multi-ethnic, with origins from Mongolian, Hui, Han, Jurchen, and Manchu groups through Hanization. It is distributed in regions like Henan, Xinjiang, and Taiwan, with notable family halls in Changge and Jinshan, though its exact origins remain uncertain.

Ranked #419

The Qiao surname, an ancient Han Chinese name, originated from the Zhou Dynasty's Ji lineage and is associated with commanderies like Beihai, Ba, Baxi, and Qiaoguo. It is historically significant in regions like Shaanxi and Sichuan, with notable figures including scholar Qiao Zhou and ruler Qiao Zong.

Ranked #420

The Dá clan, a surname of Chinese and Hui origin, historically flourished in Jian'an Commandery (modern Jian'ou, Fujian). It is not among the top 100 surnames. Founder Song Dáchen was a Song dynasty scholar. The clan is known for its cultural contributions, including notable figures like the calligrapher Dá Chongguang from Jiangsu.

Ranked #421

The Zhangdu surname, originating from a Western Zhou official title meaning "to supervise," was a compound surname that later split into the single surnames Zhang, Du, and Dang during the Qin and Han dynasties and no longer exists today.

Ranked #422

The Nian surname, pronounced "nián," is an ancient Chinese name with multiple origins including Jiang, Mi, Khitan, and Manchu ethnic roots. Its prominent branch is from Huaiyuan County, and its notable ancestor is Jiang Xiaobai. The name is known through historical figures like Nian Gengyao and has distinct family halls and generational sequences.

Ranked #422

The Ai surname has diverse ethnic origins including Uyghur, Arab, Mongolian, and Manchu, with historical roots in regions like Xihé, Yili, and Liaodong. It is a sinicized minority surname, not ranking among China's top 300 surnames, with notable bearers including Qing Dynasty royalty.

Ranked #423

The Chanyu surname originates from the title of the supreme ruler of the Xiongnu people. It entered central China through historical interactions and migrations, with many descendants later simplifying it to "Shan." The clan is historically associated with the Qiancheng and Shuofang commanderies and remains primarily found in Shandong and Hubei provinces today.

Ranked #424

The Yang surname, with multiple origins including the Ji surname and Xianbei tribes, historically distributed in Yishui and Longxi commanderies, ranks 167th in mainland China and has notable ancestral halls like Yishui Hall.

Ranked #424

The Tong surname, of diverse ethnic origins including Han, Manchu, and Mongolian, traces its roots to ancient China's Liaodong region. It ranks 256th in China, with significant populations in Liaoning and the Northeast, and has notable historical figures like Tong Yangxing and Tong Guogang.

Ranked #425

The Qin surname, with origins in Tianshui and Nan Commanderies, has multiple roots including descendants of ancient musicians, figures from Wei and Chu states, and sinicized Mongol/Korean groups. It is an ancient clan with notable figures like Qin Lao, a disciple of Confucius.

Ranked #426

The Yan surname, an ancient Chinese name with multiple origins including from Confucius's disciple Yan Yan, primarily originated in the Ruan Nan and Wu Commanderies during the Han dynasties and is not among China's top 300 surnames today.

Ranked #427

The Fu Clan, with origins in Spring and Autumn period official Fu Zidan, Korean, Mongolian, and Manchu ethnicities, is historically linked to Baekji, Liaodong, and Pingling regions, and is a minority surname in modern China and Taiwan.

Ranked #428

The Yue clan is an ancient, multi-ethnic Chinese surname with diverse origins, tracing back to official titles and various ethnic groups. Historically centered in Shanyang, it spread across China, producing notable figures like the national hero Yue Fei. It ranks 133rd in China, with a population of approximately 1.66 million.

Ranked #429

The Shuai clan is an ancient Han Chinese surname originating from official titles during the Spring and Autumn and Western Zhou periods. It historically centered in commanderies like Nanyang and Pingyuan, and is now primarily distributed across Hunan, Hubei, Sichuan, Jiangxi, and Anhui provinces, though it is not among China's top 300 most common surnames.

Ranked #430

The Fifth is a rare Chinese compound surname originating from the Warring States period, descending from the Tian clan. It is historically linked to the Longxi and Dong commanderies, with a small population distribution across mainland China and Taiwan.

Ranked #431

The Liang surname, of Chinese origin from states, places, or Xianbei roots, has over 11 million people, ranking 20th in China. It is highly concentrated in Guangxi and Guangdong. Notable bearers include reformer Liang Qichao, scholar Liang Shiqiu, and architect Liang Sicheng.

Ranked #432