Trace the Roots of Every Chinese Family Name

The Yao surname, pronounced yáo, originates from an ancient peach totem. It has two main ancestral commanderies, Wuxing and Nanan, established across various Chinese dynasties. The surname has spawned over 60 derivative surnames, has a global presence, and boasts a 4,000-year history with many notable figures since the legendary Emperor Shun.

Ranked #101

The Zhao (Zhan) clan, pronounced "zhàn," is an ancient Chinese surname with diverse origins tracing back to the Si, Yin Qi, and Ji clans over 4000 years ago. It migrated south, becoming a prominent Yuzhang family, and produced notable figures like scholar Zhan Ruoshui and the virtuous Mother Tao.

Ranked #102

The Shao Clan, a Chinese surname ranking 83rd with ~3 million people, has multiple origins from the Ji surname, Yi & Manchu ethnicities, and place names. Historically distributed across commanderies like Boling and Runan, its ancestral figure is Duke of Shao, with notable descendants including philosopher Shao Yong.

Ranked #102

The Shu clan, a Chinese surname with origins from the state of Qunshu, Mongolian, and Manchu ethnicities, historically centered in Lujiang, later spread widely from Jingzhao (Xi'an) across China, especially in Sichuan, Hunan, Jiangxi, and Hubei, and is known for figures like writer Lao She.

Ranked #103

The Wang surname, meaning "king," has ancient origins from clans and place names. Historically centered in Anhui, its population migrated from Zhejiang/Shandong to across China, now nearly 4.3 million strong, with notable descendants including physician Wang Ang and painter Wang Shishen.

Ranked #104

The Qi surname, a Chinese family name ranking 145th with over 1.28 million people, originated from the Jin State nobility. It has six theorized origins, spread from Shanxi across China, and is now most prevalent in Jiangsu Province, accounting for 44% of the Han population with this name.

Ranked #105

The Mao surname, ranked 87th in China, originates from the Zhou Dynasty with noble lineages from fiefdoms like Xihe and Xingyang. Historically migrating from the Yellow River basin, its notable members include Mao Zedong, founder of the People's Republic of China.

Ranked #106

The Yu clan, with origins from ancestor Dayu or the state of Hu, later Sinicized by Hui and Manchu peoples, is ancestrally linked to Yu the Great. Historically a Longxi family, it migrated from Suzhou to Shandong, surviving a Ming disaster, and produced notable figures like painter Yu Zhiding and Jin loyalist Yu Xian.

Ranked #107

The Di surname, pronounced dí, is a rare, multi-ethnic Chinese name originating from ancient northern tribes and figures. Primarily distributed in Gansu, Shanxi, and Jiangsu, its diverse sources include maternal ancestry, official titles, and sinicization of ethnic groups.

Ranked #108

The Mi clan, a Chinese surname with diverse origins including official Zhou Dynasty titles, ancient Yao and Chu lineages, and later sinicization of ethnic groups, ranks 210th in prevalence. It has approximately 529,000 people and is historically linked to notable figures like Northern Song painter Mi Fu.

Ranked #109

The Bei Clan is a Chinese surname originating from the Zhou Dynasty's royal Ji lineage, ranking 110th in the Hundred Family Surnames. It historically centered in Qinghe County, Hebei, with notable figures like calligrapher Bei Yiyuan from the Southern Dynasties.

Ranked #110

The Ming surname, with multi-ethnic origins including ancestral names, official titles, and sinicization, ranks 282nd in China. Its prominent clans are historically distributed in Wuxing, Pingyuan, Henan, and Ji commanderies, with a population of approximately 233,000.

Ranked #111

The Zang Clan, a Han Chinese surname with origins in the Spring and Autumn Period, traces back to the Zhou Dynasty's Ji lineage. Historically based in Donghai Commandery (Shandong/Jiangsu), it is now a rare surname (ranked ~241st) concentrated in Shandong, Jiangsu, and Hebei, with notable figures like Three Kingdoms general Zang Ba and modern poet Zang Kejia.

Ranked #112

The Ji surname, a Chinese surname ranked 113th in the classic "Hundred Family Surnames," has multiple origins including the Si and Youxin surnames, with ancestral figures like Ji Ran. Historically prominent in the Jingzhao region, its distribution spans many provinces across China.

Ranked #113

The Fu Clan, with ancient origins from figures like Fuxi, is a multi-source surname from regions including Taiyuan and Gaoyang, with diverse ethnic roots like Xianbei and Xiongnu, historically ranked 114th in the Song "Hundred Surnames."

Ranked #114

The Cheng surname, pronounced "chéng", has diverse origins from Zhou dynasty royalty, the Chu state, ancient Xiongnu tribes, and Sinicized Manchu clans, with historical roots in Henan and Hebei, and notable figures like Cheng Gong Sui and Cheng Xuan Ying.

Ranked #115

The Dai surname, pronounced "dài", has multiple origins including from posthumous titles, ancient states, and ethnic adaptations. With nearly 4.3 million people, it ranks 57th in China, primarily concentrated in Anhui, Hubei, and Jiangsu, with a historical population increase and migration trend from east to west.

Ranked #116

The surname Tan, an ancient Chinese surname ranking 118th, originates from the state of Tan granted by King Wu of Zhou, with lineages in Henan and Hebei, and notable bearers like Qing scholar Tan Qian.

Ranked #117

The Song surname, originating from the Zi and Ji clans, is China's 23rd most common with over 9 million people. It is prevalent in Shandong, Henan, Hebei, and Heilongjiang. Notable figures include poet Song Yu, forensic scientist Song Ci, and revolutionary Soong Ching-ling.

Ranked #118

The Mao surname, pronounced "máo", has origins in the Ji and Gui surnames from Zhou Dynasty figures like Mao Shu. Originating in Shandong, its clans are found in regions like Xi'an, with notable historical figures including Ming's Mao Kun and Qing's Mao Hongru.

Ranked #119