Trace the Roots of Every Chinese Family Name

The Le surname (pronounced Yuè) is an ancient Chinese name with origins tracing back over 2200 years to the Spring and Autumn period. It derives from multiple sources, primarily from the courtesy name of Gongzi Yan, and its ancestral home is Nanyang Commandery. The name is historically significant, though not among the most common surnames today.

Ranked #81

The Yu clan, a top-30 Chinese surname, originated from multiple sources including the Zhou Dynasty's Yu state and the simplified Chunyu surname. Historically centered in Henan, it spread nationwide, with Shandong now having the largest population.

Ranked #82

The Shi surname, ranked 146th in China, originated from multiple sources including Chu official Shen Shushi. It spread from Henan across China, with major historical commanderies in Chenliu, Longxi, and Julu, now concentrated in Henan and Shandong provinces.

Ranked #83

The Fu surname, originating from figures like Fu Yue of the Shang Dynasty, has five main ancestral theories. Historically distributed in Shandong and Gansu, it spread widely during migrations, now ranking 53rd in China with 4.5 million people, primarily in Hunan, Anhui, Sichuan, and Henan.

Ranked #84

The Pi surname, an ancient Chinese name, primarily originated from two sources: descendants of Fan Zhongpi of the Zhou Dynasty and Zi Pi of Zheng. It flourished in the Tianshui and Xiapi commanderies, spreading nationwide from these northern roots. Historically significant, it produced many notable figures, though it is not among China's top 300 surnames today.

Ranked #85

The Bian surname, ranked 269th in modern China, originates from ancient states and fiefs, with key figures like Bian Sui and Bian He. It is distributed in Shandong and Henan, and shares a historical connection with the Cao surname.

Ranked #86

The Qi surname, ranking 134th in China, originated from the state of Qi, with ancestors like Jiang Taigong. It spread from Shandong to northern commanderies and is now concentrated in the northeast, Hebei, and Henan, accounting for approximately 0.1% of the Han population.

Ranked #87

The Kang surname, ranking 75th in China, originated over 3000 years ago from progenitors like Kang Shu. It has multiple origins including ancestral titles and state names, with key historical branches in Jingzhao, Dongping, and Kuiji commanderies. The family has a long history of migration and produced notable figures in culture and politics.

Ranked #88

The Wu Clan, an ancient Chinese surname, originated from either the Yellow Emperor's minister Wu Xu or the Chu state's Wu Can during the Spring and Autumn period. It accounts for about 0.11% of the Han population, with historical distribution in commanderies like Anding and Wuling, and notable figures including Wu Tingfang.

Ranked #89

The Yu surname, originating from figures like You Yu or the Chidi tribe, historically flourished in southern China through commanderies like Xin'an and Wuxing, with significant migrations shaping its distribution and leading to the establishment of prominent lineages and hall names.

Ranked #90

The Yuan clan, with a 3000-year history, originates from Henan and Hebei. It has two main branches: one descended from King Wen of Zhou and Yuan Xian of the Shang Dynasty, and another from the Tuoba Xianbei people who sinicized their surname during the Northern Wei Dynasty.

Ranked #91

The Bu surname, ranked 150th in China, originates from ancient diviners' official titles, with key origins from the Si and Ji family names and figures like Bu Yan. It is associated with regions like Xihé and Xupu counties.

Ranked #92

The Gu family, with origins in the ancient Xia Dynasty state of Gu and a Han Dynasty fief, is historically centered in Jiangsu and Zhejiang. From the Three Kingdoms to the Tang Dynasty, it was a prominent Jiangdong surname, later spreading nationwide. It has produced many notable figures like painter Gu Kaizhi, scholar Gu Yanwu, and Donglin scholar Gu Xiancheng.

Ranked #93

The Meng clan, originating from the Ji lineage of King Wen of Zhou in the Spring and Autumn period's State of Lu, is historically rooted in Shandong. It spread from northern China, particularly Hebei and Shandong, throughout the country, with significant populations today still concentrated in Shandong, Henan, and Hebei.

Ranked #94

The Ping surname, a Chinese family name ranking 95th, has multiple origins from official titles and other surnames like Jiang and Ji, with roots in Henan and a notable descendant being Qing scholar Ping Bu Qing.

Ranked #95

The Huang surname, China's 7th most common, originated from ancient states like Huang in Henan, with key lineages in Jiangxia. It dispersed widely after the state's 648 BCE fall, migrating south en masse post-Jin Dynasty. Historically significant figures include rebel leader Huang Chao, poet Huang Tingjian, and revolutionary Huang Xing.

Ranked #96

The He surname, pronounced "hé", has ancient origins from official titles, the Bian clan of Chu, and the Su He clan of the Xianbei. It is historically linked to figures like jade-appraiser Bian He and is distributed in regions like Henan and Zhejiang.

Ranked #97

The Mu Clan is a multi-ethnic Chinese surname with ancient origins from figures like Song Mugong, ranking 230th in modern population. Historically distributed across Henan, Runan, and Henei commanderies, its migration began during the Spring and Autumn Period.

Ranked #98

The Xiao clan, a Chinese surname with origins in ancient states and figures like Bo Yi and Da Xin, originated in Shandong. It spread widely throughout China, produced notable figures like Xiao He, and became prominent during the Southern Dynasties, establishing the Qi and Liang dynasties. Today, it ranks as the 30th most common surname.

Ranked #99

The Yin clan, a Chinese surname ranking 91st, originated from ancient fiefs, officials, and minority sinicization. Historically migrating from Gansu and Hebei across China, its members, like Minister Yin Jifu, have significantly influenced Chinese culture and politics throughout dynastic history.

Ranked #100