Trace the Roots of Every Chinese Family Name

The Zhongli surname is an ancient Han Chinese surname originating from the Zhou Dynasty and State of Song, with ancestral halls in Huaiji, Yingchuan, and Jingling. It is the origin of the common Zhong surname, which ranks 54th in China, while the compound surname Zhongli itself is much rarer today.

Ranked #501

The Lüqiu clan is an ancient, rare Han Chinese surname originating from the Zhu State's Lüqiu district and a Qi State fiefdom. Historically active in Shandong, it was a prominent family during the Han and Tang dynasties, with ancestral roots in Dunqiu Commandery. The clan is not among the top 300 surnames in China today.

Ranked #503

The Changsun clan, a surname of Northern Wei royal origin (from Tuoba), also predates that era. Prominent during the Northern Wei and Tang dynasties, its key hall is "Piling Tang." Notable members include Empress Changsun, wife of Emperor Taizong of Tang, and her brother, the chancellor Changsun Wuji.

Ranked #505

The Murong surname, of Xianbei origin, means "adoring the virtues of heaven and earth." It was a tribal name, later used as a surname, and was the royal house of the Yan states during the Sixteen Kingdoms period, producing notable figures like Murong Hui and Murong Ke.

Ranked #507

The Xianyu clan, a Chinese surname of royal Shang origin from ancestor Ji Zi or the Chile ethnic group, historically expanded from its centers in Taiyuan and Yuyang, with notable figures including Song scientist Xian Yu Tian and Yuan scholar Xian Yu Shu.

Ranked #509

The Yuwen Clan, a Xianbei tribe, originated from a leader finding a divine jade seal, with "Yu" meaning sky and "Wen" meaning ruler. They established the Northern Zhou dynasty, produced emperors, and are historically centered in present-day Shanxi and Hebei.

Ranked #511

The Si Tu clan, an ancient Chinese surname, originated from the official title "Si Tu" held by figures like Emperor Shun. It derives from the Ji surname and is associated with Zhaojun (modern Zhao County, Hebei). The clan, not among China's top 100 surnames, has a hall named "Cangming Tang," with notable member Si Tu Ying from the Tang Dynasty.

Ranked #513

The Sikong clan, an ancient Chinese surname, originated from the official title "Sikong" (Minister of Works) held over 4,000 years ago. It traces its lineage to figures like Dayu and Xia Yu, with ancestral roots in Dunchiu Commandery (modern Henan/Hebei). The clan is historically significant but not among the most common surnames today.

Ranked #515

The Qi Guan clan, an ancient Chinese surname originating from an official title, primarily originated from Longxi and Tianshui commanderies. Evolving from the compound surname to the simpler "Qi," it is historically linked to figures like Confucius's wife and has spread across various Chinese regions and other countries.

Ranked #517

The Si Kou surname, an ancient Chinese clan, originated from the official title "Sikou" (Minister of Justice) during the Western Zhou and Spring and Autumn periods, with founding patriarchs like Su Fensheng. It historically spread from ancestral bases in Dunqiu/Pingchang and Henan, and while not a common surname today, its descendants simplified it to Si or Kou.

Ranked #519

The Zi Che is a rare, ancient Chinese compound surname originating from the Qin state's nobility over 2,600 years ago, historically associated with Tianshui, Gansu, and famously linked to three clan members sacrificed with Duke Mu of Qin.

Ranked #521

The Zhuan Sun surname, an ancient Han Chinese clan, originated from the royal families of the states of Chen and Lu during the Spring and Autumn period, with ancestral roots in Danyang Commandery (modern Xuancheng, Anhui). It is a rare surname not ranking among the top 300 in China.

Ranked #523

The Duanmu clan, a Han Chinese surname originating from Confucius's disciple Duanmu Ci over 2,500 years ago in the State of Lu, is historically distributed across several Chinese counties and has spread throughout China and abroad, though it remains relatively uncommon today.

Ranked #525

The Wu Ma clan is an ancient Han Chinese surname originating from a Zhou Dynasty official title for horse caretakers. It is rare today, not ranking among China's top 300 surnames, with historical roots in Shandong's Lu Jun and Danfu areas.

Ranked #527

The Gongxi surname, an ancient Han Chinese name, originated from the Jisun clan of the State of Lu during the Spring and Autumn Period. It is rare today, not ranking among the top 300 surnames in China. Its historical roots are in Dunqiu and Shandong, with the disciple Gongxi Chi being its most famous bearer.

Ranked #529

The Qīdiāo clan, an ancient Chinese surname with origins in the Ji surname, Manchu clans, and lacquerware crafts, is historically rooted in Caizhou and Lujun. Notable as disciples of Confucius, its members, like Qīdiāo Kāi, were revered scholars. The name later simplified to "Qī," with presence in Henan, Shandong, and Hubei.

Ranked #531

The Rǎngsì clan, an ancient and rare Han Chinese surname, originated from the Qin state during the Spring and Autumn period. Its founding ancestor was Rǎngsì Chi, a disciple of Confucius. The clan was historically associated with Tianshui and Qin commanderies, and its surname was later simplified to "Rǎng," making it extremely uncommon today.

Ranked #533

The Gongliang is a rare ancient Han Chinese surname originating from Gongzi Liang of the Spring and Autumn Period's Chen State. With over 2,600 years of history, it is primarily distributed in Henan Province and is notably associated with Confucius' disciple Gongliang Ru.

Ranked #535

The Jiage surname, of Jurchen origin from the Jin dynasty's Jiagu tribe, is a sinicized tribal name. Historically prominent during the Jin era, it is now rare in China, with descendants found in places like Shanghai and Shenyang.

Ranked #537

The ancient Chinese surname Zai Fu, originating from an official title and sharing roots with the Zai surname, is historically linked to Lu Jun (Shandong). Its progenitor was Confucius's disciple Zai Fu Hei. It is a very rare surname today, not ranked in the top 300, with descendants now scattered in provinces like Shandong and Heilongjiang.

Ranked #539