Trace the Roots of Every Chinese Family Name

The Tong surname, originating from descendants of the Yellow Emperor and the Xu family, migrated from its ancestral home in Bohai to southern China. It is a less common surname with notable historical figures including scholars, poets, and modern biologist Tong Dizhou.

Ranked #140

The Yan surname, held by 1.7 million people in China, originates from ancient place names and royal ancestors. It is prevalent in Hunan, Guangxi, and Hubei, with historical roots in Shandong, and is borne by notable figures like Confucius's disciple Yan Hui and calligrapher Yan Zhenqing.

Ranked #141

The Guo surname, China's 18th most common, originates from ancient states and figures like Yu the Great's guards. Historically centered in Shanxi, it spread nationwide, notably to Taiwan and abroad, with prominent descendants like scholar Guo Pu and scientist Guo Shoujing.

Ranked #142

The Mei clan, a Chinese surname ranking 136th, originated from a Shang Dynasty fief and the loyal minister Bo Bo. It accounts for 0.1% of Han Chinese, primarily distributed in central/southern Henan, northern Anhui, and other regions, with notable descendants like Mei Lanfang.

Ranked #143

The Sheng surname, pronounced "shèng," has ancient origins tracing back to Zhou Dynasty's Shao Gong. Historically distributed across central China, its population has grown to over 700,000, now concentrated in Hunan, Zhejiang, Anhui, and Jiangsu, with notable historical figures including scholar Sheng Du and painter Sheng Mao.

Ranked #144

The Lin surname, with over 13 million people, ranks 17th in China. It originated from Bi Gan's son or King Ping of Zhou. Highly concentrated in Fujian, Guangdong, and Taiwan, famous Lins include anti-drug hero Lin Zexu, revolutionary Lin Juemin, and PRC founder Lin Boqu.

Ranked #145

The Diao surname, a Han Chinese name with multiple origins including states and professions, ranks 204th in China, constituting approximately 0.04% of the Han population and is widely distributed across the country.

Ranked #146

The Zhong surname, with over 4.4 million people, ranks 54th in China. It has multiple origins from the Zi and Ying lineages and an official title. Prevalent in Guangdong, Jiangxi, Sichuan, and Guangxi, it constitutes about 0.35% of the national population.

Ranked #147

The Xu clan, originating from the ancient state of Xu founded by Ruomu, spread from Shandong across China over millennia, with notable descendants including Xu Guangqi, Xu Beihong, and Xu Zhimo.

Ranked #148

The Qiu clan, a prominent Chinese surname ranking 65th with ~3.8 million people, originated from multiple sources including the Jiang and Si clans, historically migrated from Shandong across China to Taiwan, and produced notable figures like scholar-official Qiu Jun.

Ranked #149

The Luo Clan, a Chinese surname ranking 132nd, originated from multiple sources including descendants of Jiang Taigong and other lineages, with ancestral roots in Shandong. It spread southward through migrations, now concentrated in Guangdong, Guizhou, and Beijing, comprising about 0.1% of the Han population.

Ranked #150

The Gao surname, with origins tracing back to the Jiang surname and Qi royalty, is prevalent in North and Northeast China, especially Shandong. Its distribution is widespread but uneven, with notable historical figures including Northern Qi general Gao Changgong and Tang poet Gao Shi.

Ranked #151

The Xia surname, originating from ancient states and simplified from Xiahou, has a long history. It spread from central China to northern regions before significant southward migration made it a typical southern Chinese surname, now prevalent in Jiangnan, Taiwan, and Southeast Asia, ranking 55th in China.

Ranked #152

The Cai Clan, originating from the ancient State of Cai founded by Shu Du, son of King Wu of Zhou, is a Chinese lineage with ancestral roots in Henan Province, enduring through dynastic changes and a brief Xianbei surname alteration.

Ranked #153

The Tian surname, pronounced tián, originated during the Spring and Autumn period from the Chen clan. Key figures like Tian Chengzi and Tian He, who replaced the Jiang clan in Qi, exemplify its history, with roots in regions like Shanxi and Hebei.

Ranked #154

The Fan surname, ranking 107th in China with over 1.7 million people, originates from ancient clans like Ji and Zi, prevalent in Henan, Shaanxi, and Shanxi, with notable historical figures such as painter Fan Qi.

Ranked #155

The Hu surname, pronounced hú, originates from ancient states and the Xianbei people, with historical roots in Gansu and Henan. Notable figures include scholar Hu Anguo, leader Ho Chi Minh, intellectual Hu Shi, and Chinese leaders Hu Yaobang and Hu Jintao.

Ranked #156

The Ling surname, originating from the Zhou Dynasty official "Ling Ren" in charge of ice storage, descends from Kang Shu. It is distributed in Hebei and Liaoning, with notable figures including the general Ling Tong and the Ming writer Ling Qian.

Ranked #157

The Huo clan, originating in Shanxi during the Zhou Dynasty (11th century BC), derives its name from the state of Huo. It spread from its Shanxi homeland across China over centuries, with notable descendants including the Han general Huo Qubing and the modern martial artist Huo Yuanjia.

Ranked #158

The Yu Clan, originating from Emperor Shun and the state of Yu, is distributed in Henan and Jiangsu. Its progenitor is the sage Yu Shun, and notable members include Tang scholar Yu Shinan and modern entrepreneur Yu Qiaqing.

Ranked #159