Trace the Roots of Every Chinese Family Name

The Liangqiu is an ancient Han Chinese surname originating from the Spring and Autumn period State of Qi, derived from the fiefdom of official Jiang Ju. It is rare today, not ranking among China's top 300 surnames, with its prominent historical clan based in Fengyi Commandery (modern Shaanxi).

Ranked #433

The Zuoqiu surname, originating from the Ji clan, is an ancient Han Chinese name derived from the place Zuoqiu in Qi (modern Shandong). Its ancestor, historian Zuoqiu Ming of Lu's Spring and Autumn period, authored the classic "Zuo Zhuan". The clan's principal origin and hall names are associated with Qi County and Linyi.

Ranked #435

The Dongmen surname, originating from the Ji clan over 2,500 years ago, traces back to Gongzi Sui of Lu's Spring and Autumn period, who lived near Qufu's east gate. His descendants adopted "Dongmen" as their surname, forming a prominent clan in Jiyang and Kaifeng, though it remains rare today in China and Taiwan.

Ranked #437

The ancient Han Chinese surname Bai Li, originating from the Zhou Dynasty official Bai Li Xun, is historically distributed in Xincai and Jingzhao counties, ranks 467th in the Song "Hundred Family Surnames," and is not among the top 300 in modern China.

Ranked #439

The Dongguo surname is an ancient Han Chinese name originating from the Qi nobility during the Spring and Autumn period, derived from either the official title Dongguo Daifu or the state of Dongguo. Its prominent families hail from Jinan and Dongjun commanderies, and it is a relatively rare surname in modern China.

Ranked #441

The Nanmen Clan is an ancient Han surname with origins in celestial phenomena, official titles, and place names, primarily from Henei and Runan Commanderies. Its population is small, and it has evolved over time, with some members still residing in Henan and Jiangsu today.

Ranked #443

The Hu Yan clan, an ancient surname of Xiongnu and Xianbei origin, dates back over 2000 years. It originated from ethnic groups adopting Han surnames, with key distributions in Anding, Xincai, and Taiyuan commanderies. Notable for figures like Hu Yan Zan, it remains a rare surname in China today.

Ranked #445

The Wan Si clan, of Xianbei Tuoba origin, was a prominent Northern Wei noble family. Originating from Lanling and Kaifeng, its history spans approximately 1,700 years, known for its military achievements and cultural integration.

Ranked #447

The Nangong Clan, a Han Chinese surname of Ji lineage, originated from figures like Nangong Zi and officials in the State of Lu. It historically distributed from Henan and Shandong commanderies, is relatively rare today, and has notable ancestral halls and historical disciples of Confucius.

Ranked #449

The Duan Gan surname is an ancient Han Chinese surname originating from the Ying and Ji clans, linked to Laozi's grandson. Its founding ancestors are Duan Gan Mu and Li Zong, with key ancestral regions in Fufeng and Lujun Commanderies. It is a rare surname, not ranked in China's top 300.

Ranked #451

The Tuoba were an ancient Xianbei clan, originating from the Yingchuan and Yanmen commanderies. They founded the Northern Wei dynasty, with Tuoba Fu as its first emperor. The surname, meaning "earth" and "descendant," was famously changed to Yuan by Emperor Xiaowen.

Ranked #452

The Ximen clan is an ancient, multi-origin Chinese surname derived from officials residing by the "West Gate" in states like Zheng, Qi, and Wei. Its prominent lineages originated from Liang Jun and Wei Jun regions, but it remains a rare surname in both mainland China and Taiwan today.

Ranked #453

The Sima surname, originating from the Zhou Dynasty military title "Sima," has its ancestral home in He Nei. It is an ancient Chinese clan known for notable figures like historians Sima Qian and Sima Guang, and Jin Dynasty founder Sima Yan.

Ranked #455

The Gu Liang is an ancient Chinese clan over 2,800 years old, originating from the Xiapí and Xīhé commanderies. It is renowned primarily due to Gu Liang Chi, author of the Confucian classic "Spring and Autumn Gu Liang Commentary." The clan name derives from grain cultivation or the ancient city of Gu Liang. Though historically significant, its population is not among the top 300 surnames in China or Taiwan.

Ranked #455

The Shangguan surname, originating from the Mi clan in Chu during the Spring and Autumn period, is an official/toponymic name. Its ancestor Zilan was enfeoffed at Shangguan, with descendants adopting it. The clan later migrated, becoming prominent in Tianshui, Gansu, and spread to Fujian. The notable Tang figure Shangguan Wan'er exemplifies its historical significance.

Ranked #457

The Ou clan, originating from Pingyang, has two main ancestral lineages: one descending from the master swordsmith Ou Yezi of the Spring and Autumn period, and the other from the nobility of the ancient Yue state, linked to the Ouyang clan.

Ranked #458

The Ouyang Clan, a Chinese surname with 2000 years of history, originates from the Bohai Commandery. It has a population of over 1 million and is historically linked to commanderies like Bohai, Poyang, and Luling. Notable figures include calligrapher Ouyang Xun and scholar-official Ouyang Xiu.

Ranked #459

The Xiahou clan, descended from Yu the Great, originated when Tuo, a Qi noble, fled to Lu after Qi's fall in 445 BC and was granted the marquis title, creating the surname. Historically based in Qiao and Lu commanderies, the clan includes notable figures like Xiahou Ying, a Han dynasty founder.

Ranked #461

The Zhuge clan, originating from Langya (modern Shandong), has three main origin theories linked to the Ge surname, a granted honor, or the Xiong surname. Its most renowned figure is Zhuge Liang, the brilliant Shu Han strategist of the Three Kingdoms era.

Ranked #463

The Wenren surname, originating from the scholar Shaozheng Mao during China's Spring and Autumn Period, has a 2,400-year history. His descendants adopted the name "Wenren" (meaning "famous person") in his honor after his execution by Confucius, and the family was historically prominent in the Henan area.

Ranked #465