Trace the Roots of Every Chinese Family Name

The Dongfang surname is an ancient Chinese surname with origins linked to Fuxi and Han Dynasty figure Dongfang Shuo. It is rare, not ranking in China's top 100, and is historically associated with Pingyuan County. Notable bearers include the witty official Dongfang Shuo and Tang Dynasty scholars.

Ranked #467

The Gui surname, an ancient Han Chinese name, originated from the Jingzhao area and has two possible roots: descent from the Yellow Emperor's Guicang tribe or from the Huzi State. It is not among China's top 300 surnames, has a notable history, and includes several prominent historical figures.

Ranked #469

The He Lian surname, of Xiongnu origin, was founded by He Lian Bopo, who established the Xia state. It originates from historical minority clans, primarily distributed in ancient Shengle and Bohai commanderies, and is now a rare surname in China.

Ranked #469

The Hai surname, a multi-ethnic Chinese family name with origins dating back 2,500 years, historically originated from figures like Haichun and is associated with commanderies like Qi, Xue, Nanhai, and Zhuya.

Ranked #470

The Huangfu clan, an ancient Chinese surname, originated from Song nobility over 2,500 years ago, with two primary origins from the Western Zhou Dynasty and the Zi surname. Its progenitor, Huangfu Luan, migrated during the Han Dynasty, establishing the clan in Shaanxi, which became prominent in the Anding and Jingzhao commanderies.

Ranked #471

The Yuchi surname, of Xianbei tribal origin, migrated to China during the Northern and Southern Dynasties, became a Northern Wei vassal state, and adopted the tribal name. Its prominent families resided in Taiyuan, with the Tang dynasty general Yuchi Jingde being its most notable figure.

Ranked #473

The Gōngyáng clan, a minor Chinese surname originating from the Ji surname, descends from Gongsun Yangru of the Spring and Autumn State of Lu. Its historical center was Dunqiu, and its most notable member is Warring States scholar Gōngyáng Gāo, credited with the "Gongyang Zhuan" commentary on the Spring and Autumn Annals.

Ranked #475

The Dan Tai surname, originating from Confucius's disciple Mie Ming in the Spring and Autumn period, derives from Dan Tai Lake or Mountain. It is rare, associated with hall names like Zhan Jiao Tang and Hui Bi Tang, reflecting stories of integrity and bravery.

Ranked #477

The Hou clan, originating from the Ji clan, descends from Gongzi Gong of the Western Zhou Dynasty, who was enfeoffed at Hou; his descendants adopted Hou as their surname, sometimes simplified to "Hou".

Ranked #478

The Gongye clan, an ancient surname with over 2,500 years of history, originated from the Ji family of Lu State during the Spring and Autumn Period, founded by Ji Ye (also named Gongye). It is not a common surname and is primarily associated with Shandong, with historical figures like Confucius's disciple Gongye Chang.

Ranked #479

The Zongzheng surname originated from Liu De, a Han Dynasty imperial descendant who held the high court position of Zongzheng. His descendants adopted this official title as their surname, which is historically associated with the Jingzhao and Pengcheng regions, with many later simplifying it to "Zong".

Ranked #481

The Puyang surname, of ancient Chinese origin, derives from the place name Puyang in Henan, linked to the legendary Emperor Zhuanxu. Historically concentrated in regions like Boling and Guangping, it is a rare surname with notable bearers including Puyang Xing, a Wu Kingdom official, and Puyang Cheng, a Ming Dynasty general.

Ranked #483

The Chunyu surname, of Jiang origin from the Yan Emperor, dates back over 3000 years to the Zhou state of Chunyu in Shandong. It later spread to Henei (Henan), was simplified to "Yu" in the Tang Dynasty to avoid a naming taboo, and was later restored. Notable figures include officials, scholars, and physicians throughout Chinese history.

Ranked #485

The Zhongsun surname, an ancient Han Chinese name, originates from the Spring and Autumn period, primarily from the Ji and Jiang lineages, with its prominent clan historically based in Gaoyang Commandery. It is a rare surname, not ranking among the top 300 in modern China.

Ranked #487

The Tai Shu surname, a rare Chinese surname of royal origin from the Ji clan, traces back to the Spring and Autumn period with progenitors Ji Yi of Wei or Gong Shu Duan of Zheng, and is historically associated with the Dongping region in Shandong.

Ranked #489

The Shen Tu clan, an ancient Chinese lineage, originated from Emperor Shun's descendants, the Jiang family, and a naming confusion. Historically distributed in Jingzhao and Xihe commanderies, it later migrated to Zhejiang. Notable for figures like Han general Shen Tu Jia, the clan is known for its resilient character despite Jiangnan's mild climate.

Ranked #491

The Gongsun surname, of noble origin tracing back to the Yellow Emperor and Spring and Autumn Period feudal lords, historically spread from commanderies like Fufeng and Gaoyang, with notable figures including logician Gongsun Long and statesman Shang Yang.

Ranked #493

The Le Zheng is a rare, ancient Han Chinese compound surname originating from the Zhou dynasty court's "Le Zheng" music official title over 2,600 years ago, with its ancestral roots in Tianshui Commandery.

Ranked #495

The Xuanyuan surname, originating from ancestors like the Yellow Emperor, has historical roots in regions like Shanxi and Shaanxi. It derives from ancestral names or simplified compound surnames and is associated with notable figures including the Yellow Emperor and Tang Dynasty poet Xuanyuan Miming.

Ranked #497

The Linghu surname, originating from the Ji lineage, was granted to Wei Ke of Jin during the Spring and Autumn period after a military victory. His descendants adopted the place-name Linghu as their surname. It is historically concentrated in the Taiyuan area of Shanxi.

Ranked #499